Media Noche Foods That Will Bring You Luck and Success in 2016

For most of us, the first day of January offers an opportunity to forget the past and make a fresh start. But instead of leaving everything up to luck, why not enjoy a meal to upturn your good fortune? There are varieties of foods that are believed to bring luck and boost the chances that next year will be a great one. Here they are:

Kakanin

For Filipinos, when you eat kakanin such as biko, suman, sapin-sapin, and pichi-pichi in New Year, good fortune will stick and your family’s bond will strengthen the whole year!

Round-shaped fruits

Though the number of pieces differs by region, eating any round fruit is a common New Year’s custom. Their shape, which looks like a coin, and their saccharinity are the common denominators.

Pancit

Eating pancit denotes long life and good health to the eater, according to New Year’s customs in the Philippines.

Ring-shaped cakes and donuts

Ring-shaped cakes and donuts symbolize not only carby lusciousness but also the year coming full circle.

Greens

Greens are said to resemble paper money. Everything from spinach to cabbage to your kale salad mix applies here.

Legumes

Legumes including peas, lentils, and beans are also symbolic of money like greens. Their small, seedlike look resembles coins that swell when cooked.

Pork

Did you now that many people consider pork to be the most auspicious of all foods to eat on New Year's Day? It’s because pigs are rotund, which embodies prosperity and they "root forward" with their nose, which is thought to symbolize progress.

Roasted whole fish

Do you want prosperity for next year? Then roast and serve a whole fish on your table! Fish are lucky in three ways: they travel in schools (symbolizing abundance), their scales resemble coins, and they swim forward (which represents progress). Just make sure not to turn it over when it’s served because flipping the fish is said to imply a travel accident!

Do you know other food that symbolizes success and abundance for New Year? Share your ideas! 

Photo credits: www.foodnetwork.ca, www.lafujimama.com, www.nytimes.com, www.crossingitaly.net, cookingmatters.org, www.pinterest.com, chowkingdelivery.com, and www.katieeats.com 

Ten Best Places in the Philippines to Greet Year 2016

New Year’s Eve comes once a year, so it’s very important that we celebrate it extraordinarily. Check out this list for the best places to be when the clock strikes twelve midnight on December 31!

1. TV5 New Year Countdown 2016

For the second time, TV5 and Quezon City Government team up to hold the New Year Countdown TV Special at the Quezon Memorial Circle which will be held from December 31, 2015 to January 1, 2016.

 2. Philippine Arena Countdown 2016 New Year's Celebration

Witness Philippines’ attempt to break Guinness World Record for the largest and longest fireworks display! For as low as ₱300.00 valid from December 30 to 31, 2015), experience a festive celebration that includes circus and magic shows, carnival, and so much more!

On December 30, Mulatto, Spongecola, 6CycleMind, and Top Suzara will open the 2-night celebration at the Philippine Arena, Ciudad de Victoria, Bocaue, Bulacan. Other celebrities that will be there are The Explorer Sisters: JoWaPao of Eat Bulaga's KalyeSerye, Apl.De.Ap, Sandwich, Radha, Arnel Pineda, and Pops Fernandez.

3. Countdown to 2016: The GMA New Year Special

To all Kapuso out there, this is it! On December 31, 2015, 11:00 PM, at the Seaside Boulevard, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City, Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza (AlDub) and other big artists from the Kapuso network will gather to welcome 2016!

4. Eastwood City New Year Countdown to 2016

Experience the outstanding performances of our country’s brightest music stars including Marlisa Punzalan, the X Factor 2014 Grand Winner, Imago, Kyla, Christian Bautista, Rico Blanco, as well as American singer Dawin, at Eastwood City’s New Year Countdown to 2016.

The event will start at 6:00 PM of December 31, 2015, at Libis, Quezon City.

5. Makati “Shout” New Year’s Eve Countdown 2016

Makati's New Year Countdown is back and now all set for the event hail as “Shout”, which will be presented at the University of Makati Track and Field Oval, starting at 4:00 PM on December 31, 2015 until 3:00 AM of January 1, 2016. 

6. The Grand Countdown 2015, A Spectacular New Year Celebration

This coming December 31, 2015 at 7:00 PM, greet 2016 with the International pop music sensation Charice Pempengco, Concert King Martin Nievera, and Divine Diva Zsa Zsa Padilla as they perform in Marriott Hotel at the Newport City Complex in Pasay.

7. Sulong Manila! Countdown 2016

On December 31, 2015, Rajah Soliman, Roxas Boulevard skies will burst with magical colors through a magnificent pyromusical by Dragon Fireworks. The fun New Year event will start at 9:30 PM.

8. New Year Jam. The Countdown at the Plaza

Welcome 2016 with a loud boom of songs from our countries various rock stars! Join Yeng Constantino, Spirit of 67, Rivermaya, Mitoy & the Draybers, and The Dawn in Newport Mall’s The Plaza on December 31, 2015 at 8:00 PM.

9. Diamond Hotel A New Year State of Mind

Join Xarchy Band, Retrospect, and DJ Marx Monterola in Diamond Hotel’s New Year countdown event dubbed “A New Year State of Mind”.

Visitors of the event have a choice of dinner buffet from 6:00 PM to 11 PM. at Corniche and a chance to win round-trip airline tickets to Bohol for two for only ₱3,300 or a late-night buffet inclusive of one drink from 11:00 PM to 2:00 AM for ₱680.

10. The Gift of Celebration at Solaire Resort and Casino

Rejoice New Year’s eve by enjoying the live performances of Bituin Escalante, The Company, Mel Villena, and the AMP band with Judith Banal and Skarlet and the Powerplay Band.

As you wait for the countdown, you may treat yourself to their vast array of treats, tapas, and signature cocktails at the Eclipse Entertainment Lounge. All these revelries will happen at Solaire Resort and Casino, Parañaque City.

Source: http://www.thesummitexpress.com/2015/12/new-year-countdown-to-2016-top-16-places-events-in-metro-manila.html

Filipino Superstitions: Do’s and Don’ts on New Year’s Eve and Day

Photo Credits: www.bornadragon.com

Filipinos are generally superstitious. Even in this day and age, many of us still observe various traditions for different occasions. And as the New Year comes, here are the do’s and don’ts to attract good vibes this coming year.

DO’s

Elders believe and abide the following traditions on New Year’s Eve and Day to attract luck, prosperity, and good health for the coming year.

1. Keep the canisters of rice, sugar, salt, flour, etc. full.

2. Make as much noise as you can to scare away evil spirits.

3. Keep all of the lights in your house on to herald a brighter future.

4. Keep the windows, doors, cabinets, and drawers of your house open before the clock strike 12.

5. Pay all your debts and fill your wallet with new or crisp money to make sure that your pockets are full for the coming year.

6. Prepare 12 round fruits to make each month of the coming year prosperous.

7. Kids must jump 12 times at midnight to increase their height.

8. Wear polka-dots or colorful outfit to attract more luck, good vibes, and money next year.

9. Serve something sticky and long for dinner. Sticky food makes for a close-knit family while the “long” food such as pasta or stir fried noodles is for long and healthy life.

10. Fill your pocket with coins and a rosary and make some noise by shaking it as the clock hits midnight. The coins will breed more money and the rosary will guide you throughout the New Year’s challenges.

DON’Ts

On the other hand, elders often tell us to avoid doing these things to avoid bad luck and suffering for the coming year.

1. Don’t clean the house on the first day of the year for you will sweep up that fortune that came in during the New Year’s Eve.

2. Don’t borrow and spend money for you will be indebted and shell out money for the entire year.

3. Don’t serve fish or chicken for they are related with the scarcity of food.

Do you follow any of these superstitions or want to add more to this list? You can share your beliefs and experiences at the comments sections below.

Round Fruits: A Filipino Tradition—and Charm—on New Year’s Eve

Photo source: maudesavenueofthoughts.com

As the current year is about to end in a few days’ time, Filipinos are excited prepping up for the coming of a new one. Apparently, New Year’s Eve is the most festive time of the year in the Philippines. Locals associate the celebration to a lot of things: New Year’s resolutions, firecrackers, firework displays, bright lights, noise-making instruments, polka dots, parties, parades, and reunions.

The celebration of the coming year never goes without some traditions and superstitions.

For many Pinoys, the end of the year is the best time not just to reflect on how life has changed over the year but also to think of the ways to further improve it. Hence, many resort to holding on to traditions and charms with a belief that these help attract good vibes and luck.

In welcoming the “New Year,” Filipino families prepare round fruits on their dining tables. This is with a belief that anything round signifies endless prosperity for the whole family.

How Many?

Preparing round fruits is so easy but there always seems a confusion or a minor problem. Undeniably, each household has varying views on which fruits and how many types of fruits to have.

Ten? Twelve? Or thirteen “lucky” fruits? You decide.

What You Should Have

Regulars:

There may be variations on the kinds of fruits to prepare, but the following are the 12 most common fruits that locals put on their tables:

• Grapes
• Kastanyas
• Chico
• Pear
• Apple
• Orange
• Mango
• Banana
• Melon
• Pomelo
• Pineapple
• Watermelon

Alternatives:

If you are not able to buy any of the above-mentioned fruits or you are not particular with the number of fruits to put on your table, you may also have any of the following alternative fruits:

• Guava
• Dalandan
• Lychee
• Lemon
• Avocado
• Papaya

Each of these “lucky” fruits has its corresponding meaning—something that most Filipinos recognize as showing of Chinese influence.

How Much?

Prices for each of these fruits vary per type and location. One thing is for sure: prices could go up and reach the highest mark as the occasion draws near. The good thing is, you are free to buy the ones that are within your budget.

Thoughts to Ponder

Lucky or not, there’s nothing wrong if we celebrate New Year’s Eve with these circular fruits, regardless of their number. Just always bear in mind that eating these fruits is one good way to stay healthy this festive season.

Just be sure to arrange these fruits well so they will look attractive and mouth-watering once uploaded to your social media accounts!

May we all have a prosperous 2016!

Share your thoughts by writing in the comments section below.