photo by Daniela Brown (via Flickr)
New Year’s is one of the best times to tour the Philippines because traveling in this unique country will put you in a fresh mindset for the year to come. So whether you’re traveling with a significant other, a drinking buddy or just flying solo, be sure to book a Filipino adventure for your best New Year’s yet! And while you’re at it, heed these three fun New Year’s traditions that will get you lookin’ like a local and fitting in like a glove..
photo by Daniela Brown (via Flickr)
Jump and Grow Taller
When it comes to growing taller, genetics has nothing to do with it! Filipinos will wake their children at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve and have them jump up and down as high as they can. The higher they jump, the taller they will grow to be. And if adults deem themselves vertically challenged, they will also partake in this fun ritual.
No one knows the origin of this New Year’s practice but it is believed to have started because of the desire to be tall. In the Philippines, the average height is 163 centimetres for men (5’4”) and 150 (4’11”) for women. As such, there is a huge market for growth supplements, vitamins and diets to achieve height. This may stem from height requirements being implemented on certain jobs, like those in the military, as well as by beauty standards, for example, there hasn’t been a Miss Universe shorter than 165cm. Anyhow, with these cultural beliefs, it’s no wonder this tradition still holds strong after all of these years.
photo by Esel Little (via Flickr)
Eat 12 Round Fruits
Eating 12 round fruits may not sound like that big of a tradition but Filipinos take it very seriously. Why? It’s because these fruits represent each month of the year and if you want to have the best luck during each month, you must consume these round fruits at midnight. The type of fruit doesn’t matter… As long as it’s round as the roundness signifies the shape of a coin. The tradition comes from the Chinese except in China, they consume eight fruits instead of 12. The reason is that eight is a lucky number in Chinese culture and it means infinity.
So whether you go for eight fruits or 12 an insider tip is to make one of the fruits a pineapple. Why? It’s because the fruit has many eyes and these eyes bring prosperous careers and opportunities… What’s not to love about that?
photo by gosheshe (via Flickr)
Wear Polka Dot Clothing
If money matters are tight and you’re looking for more dough in the upcoming year, make sure to buy plenty of outfits with polka dots. The circles symbolize money as coins are round so the belief is that the more polka dots you wear, the more money you’ll get coming to you in the future. Want to boost the money-making power even more? Make sure your polka dotted garb has pockets and fill your pockets with coins.
Let’s go!
So grab your bags, book a custom Philippine adventure and enjoy an incredible New Year’s abroad!