Of Superstitions and Circular Fruits

Happy New Year!

I was expecting the entry to 2012 to be a big bang – more than the sit com – and that it would immediately affect our lives. I as such wanted big changes this year, so as a starting point, with a snap of the fingers, I had an idea that maybe for my own sake. So this year, I tried to deviate from the silly superstitious acts to what we call reality. From polka dots to circular fruits, it was pretty funny that Filipinos, though very religious enough to the point of idolizing statues, still believe in these traditions and of luck. It came like a lightning that these beliefs, no matter how much we practice them, will never improve our lives nor give meaning to it. So I tried to my best, but still, I failed.

Traditions I consider as worthless – sorry for my term – are the loud noises, the grapes on walls, the 12 fruits, the jumps, the salts and rice, the polka dots, the circular and sticky food. Argh. Well, the loud noises apparently would drive away all the bad luck that they have. The grapes on walls, 12 fruits, salts and rice, the polka dots and the circular food would supposedly bring luck and wealth and fortune to the family. The jump would supposedly make the person taller. The sticky food would apparently make the family bond more.

But these are all fraud, coming from a person who hated superstitious beliefs. This year, as much as I wanted to kill the joy, I was outnumbered at home. They were all shaking coins and blowing their torotots around the house, opening all the doors, and jumping. Well, all of these are for money and wealth. And then we call ourselves zealous Catholics.

Laugh all you want.

Though we went to mass before these festive events, it would not suffice the event which we commemorated this day. My mother, a devout Catholic, who wore polka dots that night, did not even know why we were going to mass. For many years, we were attending the New Year’s mass. All she know was this mass was for thanksgiving for another year. Well, she may have a point there, but it’s not the main reason. She also knew that January 1 is the Holy Trinity Day. Like, WTF? I don’t really mean to be the all-knowing guy here but January 1 is the Solemnity of the Motherhood of Mary. This day is one of the three mandatory masses which Catholics need to attend aside from the Sunday masses – the two others being the Easter Sunday, and the Feast of the Immaculate Conception which is set on December 8.

But since she is my mother, I might as well forgive her. Come on! It’s the New Year’s Day!

Call me Kill Joy.

Well, I am.

For the record, though I never did those silly things, I had fun watching my father, my brother and my mother do those silly things. It was a very fun sight. It made my night. Those fireworks and fire crackers, though not much loud as last year, were already perfect for me. Since I’m a little allergic or something to the fumes of the lusis, I tried lightning one or two to be in the celebration mood. I don’t want to be 140% kill joy you know.

Anyway, the food we ate during our media noche was exquisite. It was scrumptious, delectable, all the adjectives you can think of! Trust me, my parents are good cooks. Though the wine was not that delicious, I still managed to sip a little.

Well, that’s it for the celebration for the entry of 2012. I hope this year will be a good one. Wait, let me check. A GREAT one.