As I read the papers I read the history of 470 firework or stray bullet related hospitalizations in '08 - down from previous years. I read about a boy who was blinded yesterday because of a firecracker accident etc.
As we went to the squatter areas to witness and minister to kids and adults alike (will write of this soon), there were many firecrackers going off - sounding more like bombs than firecrackers
While it is a tradition that is held with fondness among the people along with midnight feasts with family supposed to insure plenty of food in the coming year, wearing circles on clothing for hope of wealth, jumping up and down for hopes of growing taller in the next year etc - it is steeped in superstition - being taken from the Chinese beliefs that the loud noises will drive away evil spirits. Just another sign of the spiritual blindness that these people are held captive in by satan according to his will (2 Tim. 2:26). All the more reason more labourers are needed to "in meekness instruct those that oppose themselves" that God might deliever them through repentance unto the acknowledging of the truth. Perhaps the following articles may be of interest to some regarding this culture and its celebration of the New Year. Thank you for your prayers and please continue to pray. We had a great, yet humbling day in the squatter area today that I will write of anotehr time followed by a service at La Loma Baptist church.
The new year has now been rung in here while I am at the call center. The booms from outside almost rattle the windows, the smoke in the city is causing slow going on the roads - taking about 3 times as long to navigate through all the smoke. The agents whoe are here are all enjoying a wonderful Lechon (pig roast) as they work through the night. Lord bless you all and happy New Year - May Christ be Magnified in it.
The following article is taken from this website http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/12/31/asia/AS-Philippines-New-Year.php
Philippines braces for bloody New Year's
The Associated Press
Published: December 31, 2008
MANILA, Philippines: Brandishing a surgical saw on national TV, the health chief warned revelers that amputations often result from firecracker accidents as the Philippines braced Wednesday for a violent New Year's Eve celebration.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque resorted to scare tactics to discourage the use of banned — but popular — powerful firecrackers. His department's Web site displays videos of mangled hands and other firecracker-related injuries.
"I have to be aggressive to really show what awaits the hard-headed," Duque told The Associated Press.
Many Filipinos, largely influenced by Chinese tradition, believe that noisy New Year's celebrations drive away evil and misfortune. But they have carried that superstition to extremes, exploding huge firecrackers and firing guns to welcome the new year despite threats of arrest.
Last year, 869 people were hurt, including 14 hit by stray bullets on and before New Year's Eve.
Firecrackers and celebratory gunfire wounded 165 people between Dec. 21 to Dec. 30, including eight victims who lost fingers. Doctors plan to amputate the right hand of a man after it was mangled by a firecracker in central Iloilo province, health officials said.
Duque said he hoped a forecast of rain later Wednesday off the country's east coast and the economic crunch would discourage the sale and use of powerful firecrackers.
Duque ordered 78 government hospitals nationwide to get ready for the expected injuries and toured hospital emergency rooms in Manila to check on preparations.
Sen. Richard Gordon, who heads the local Red Cross, said 2,400 blood bags were ready in case hospitals run out of supplies.
Wikipedia definition of New Years in the Philippines
New Year's Day, or Araw ng Bagong Taon is celebrated with the family in or outside the house. The year is greeted on the Bisperas ng Bagong Taon (New Year's Eve) with a lavish feast, called media noche (literally, "middle of the night"). Round shaped foods, sticky or glutinous rice based foods, and various 12 round shaped fruits for each of the months of the year are served. Traditionally, Filipinos, Chinese, and Spaniards stay at home, the latter serving parties lavishly, which almost always includes a lechon (suckling roasted pig). However, more and more of the younger generation and the recent immigrants such as Americans have popularized the celebration of the New Year in grand hotels, restaurants, in parks, and in streets. Children light firecrackers such as watusi or the sinturon ni Hudas (Judas' belt), while adults spend the night recollecting the year, and, in many families, involves a Bible reading..
One last article with some details on various superstitions and traditions here from the following site - http://www.123newyear.com/newyear-customs/new-year-customs-philippines.html
New Year Customs in Phillippines
In Philippines the families gather together at midnight on New Year and eat a midnight meal. This is believed by the people in Philippines would ensure plenty of food in the coming year. The children in Philippines follow a custom of jumping up and down 10 times to grow tall in the coming year. This custom is believed would make the children taller for the coming year. Fireworks are an important part of the New Year celebrations in Philippines. The people in Philippines set off fireworks as a symbol of happiness on New Year. The fireworks are seen as a traditional way to greet the New Year with joy. The preparations for the New Year in Philippines begin a few days ahead of New Year. Although the customs of celebrating New Year in Philippines may have changed a little but the spirit of the New Year celebrations remains the same among the people of Philippines on New Year. The custom of wishing everyone luck and happiness and seeing off the old year and welcoming the New Year is still prevalent in Philippines. Dance music and other amusements are the other customs that the people in Philippines follow on New Year.
Media Noche or midnight is an important custom that is followed. On New Year's Eve families in Philippines gather to have this midnight mass. This midnight mass is believed by the people in Philippines to symbolize their hopes for a prosperous New Year. The custom of making noise and merrymaking is not only meant to have all the fun on New Year but also to drive away evil spirits. The people in Philippines believe banging on pots and pans and blowing on car horns to be the safer methods of merrymaking on New Year. The wide populaces in Philippines believe displaying colorful fruit and wearing clothes with dots and other circular designs would be lucky as they symbolize money. Just like the New Year custom of other countries the people in Philippines believe in following the custom of eating 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight on New Year. This would bring them good luck for the coming year. Opening the doors during the first day of the New Year is a custom that is followed to bring good luck for the New Year.
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