Absolutely JORO

According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2010 is the Year of a Golden Tiger, which begins on February 14, 2010 and ends on February 2, 2011. The first day of the lunar New Year 2010 falls on the 14th day of February, which is Saint Valentine's Day, so it is a day the West celebrates as a lovers' day, a day of romance. To the Chinese, it is the start of the Golden Tiger Year. The Tiger is the third sign in the cycle of Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 animal signs. It is a sign of courage. This fearless and fiery fighter is revered by the ancient Chinese as the sign that wards off the three main disasters of a household: fire, thieves and ghosts. On New Year's day itself, it is beneficial to celebrate, to be happy, to have smiling faces, and to refrain from scowling, quarreling, or criticizing anyone.

In the Philippines, a Tsinoy is a Filipino of Chinese heritage. It is a combination of "Tsino" meaning Chinese and the slang word "Pinoy" meaning Filipino. (The term Intsik has fallen out of favor.)

There has been a significant Chinese presence in the Philippines even before the Spaniards arrived in the 15th century. Chinese Filipinos currently number four million, making up five percent of the Philippine population.

Chinese Filipinos celebrate the Lunar New Year in January or February. It is not an official holiday in the Philippines, but students in Chinese schools are let out early.

CHINESE-FILIPINO TRADITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE LUNAR NEW YEAR
The food most fondly looked forward to during Chinese New Year in the Philippines is tikoy, a treat made from sticky rice. You can buy it from stores only at this time of the year (January and February) but don't forget that you have to cook it first before eating!

RED ENVELOPES. Red is considered the luckiest color and everyone tries to dress in it and have red things all around. Children expect to receive fresh peso bills inside bright red envelopes on which are written Chinese characters. They are called hong bao in Mandarin or ang pao in Hokkien, the language used by Chinese Filipinos.

I love taking photos of the snow. When I went for a class at the Birmingham City University, I brought my camera in order to take photos of the snow. Eventhough I've been here in the UK for a while but still, I really like the snow. Photos below were taken at the Birmingham City University.

I know you will be bored of looking these snow photos but it's worth to look at. Photos below were taken opposite our hospital in which there were so many kids and teens sledging down the hill. You can also see my bike that I used to drive.

fluvial parade carrosa del So. Nino de Cebu procession of Sto. Nino
The celebration of Sinulog is the grandest of all the pageantry in the Philippines. I was once a dancer of the Sinulog during my college days and it really felt me the spirit of the HOLY INFANT JESUS. Sinulog is a way of worship. By this time, they danced not to worship their native idols but to signify their reverence to the Santo Niño, now enshrined at the San Agustin Church (renamed Basilica Minore del Santo Niño). Through the years since 1521, the dance was a small ritual danced by a few in front of the Santo Niño. At the Santo Niño Church where the image is consecrated, only the candle vendors could be seen dancing the Sinulog and making offerings.

Year of the tiger, 2010 is already knocking our doors. We can say goodbye to 2009. Here in Britain, lavish and extravagant fireworks display will be showcasing in the River of Thames in London with the beautiful landmark of London Eye as its backdraft. Last year was a very succesful event. And I think today as well, New Year's Eve will be outlasting the previous display. Today's temperature have plummeted to minus 6 degrees centigrade.

But I am interested in our customs and traditions in my home country Philippines.

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.

Related Links below:
Joro Livelihood
Joro, The New Beginning
Absolutely Joro
The World Of Joro
The Tale Of A Bukidnon Lad
Baconchezjoro Multiply