Surviving a Filipino New Year

In the Filipino Culture, the Christmas Season isn't done yet. But after the Noche Buena, just a week later, there comes another almost equally big celebration here in the Philippines. It is the celebration of New Year's eve. Some say Christmas is for kids, and New Year is for adults, and there's some truth in that. Children benefit the most in Christmas, but it is the adults that enjoy a lot more upon the entry of the next year. Read on if you're in the Philippines and making your New Year Pinoy Style. It helps to take a look at some need-to-knows.

Only a Pinoy Does This

Couldn't help posting this. I saw someone share something like this on Facebook. Didn't believe it until I did the same. This is a proof how imaginative a Filipino is. I never looked the wrestler Batista as a reincarnate of Manuel L. Quezon before.

Now you know how a Pinoy handles boredom.

Tambol sa Pasko

So you have some maracas and tansan tamborines. Great job! This recycling-reminiscing thing is also helping the Philippine environment since these supposedly trash items are put into good use. We've been making Christmas singing sound a lot better, and at the same time giving Mother Nature a break. But there's still one more instrument out there that Pinoy kids use in caroling, and this is the tambol.

Here in the Philippines, we love the sound of drums. The explosion of bass, the rhythmic beats and the hypnotizing effect, all of these are enjoyed throughout the islands. Part of the Filipino culture is making a lot of noise. In fiestas and rituals, there is an appropriate beat of the drum, so during Christmas, its not a surprise there are still drums being used. Of course you can't expect kids to bring real and expensive drums here. For this instrument, all we need is a big can, a broken umbrella and lots of rubber bands.

Crispy Aguinaldo sa Pasko

Food lovers who thought they'd find edible stuff here, I'm so sorry to disappoint you. Yeah, crispy frequently applies to something eaten. Even me, with the mention of crispy I think of the crunch, the crackle then a flood of great flavors. But this time, I'm using it for something else.

Don't go Emilio Aguinaldo, this isn't even about him at all. Well, at least not nowadays.

Maracas for Caroling

It don't end with tansan tamborines for caroling during the Christmas season in the Philippines, we Filipinos are too dynamic for things to stop there. We were taught to make use of what we have in our surroundings and making maracas for Christmas caroling is just among the many skills we should give to our young ones.

All you need are some regular items that may end up in the dumps. I'd say its best to help take care of the environment so some recycling is good. A couple of emptied cans, some wooden sticks and pebbles or monggo seeds would do the trick for this mini project.

Making Christmas Tamborines

"Pasko na naman, O kay tulin ng araw. Paskong nagdaan tila ba'y kailan lang! Ngayon ay Pasko, dapat pasalamatan. Ngayon ay pasko tayo ay mag-awitan!"

In an unrehearsed and innocent tune, its what kids would sing over and over again to your house during the Christmas season. The colorful Christmas lights, the festive mood and all those smiling faces, the singing kids is a great addition to the holiday cheer. I was once part of this tradition. We make our own instruments, going house to house at sundown and singing our hearts out.

Filipino Ingenuity is really top rated. We can make tamborines out of everyday items without having to spend a peso. Let me show you how.