Sunday, December 28, 2008

Noche Buena & Media Noche

2009 is already fast approaching.. And people will be busy preparing again for the celebration of the New Year. Here in the Philippines, during Christmas eve, we had the much-anticipated Noche Buena – the traditional Christmas Eve feast. Usually, family members dine together around 12 midnight on traditional Noche Buena fare, which includes: queso de bola (ball of cheese), Tsokolate (a hot chocolate drink) and jamon (ham). Some would also open presents at this time.

But ours was quite different. We had lechon, cake, spaghetti, fruit salad, grilled fish and some goodies :) We dined earlier, of course, but opened the gifts at 12 midnight, with my daughter (the little helper) distributing the gifts because Santa (my mom) was quite exhausted.

December 25, Christmas Day, is considered a Family Affair. We stayed overnight at my mom's house on the 24th, together with my siblings and their wives, and on the 25th, we had dinner at my in-laws house but went home afterward.

On December 31, New Year's Eve, Filipino families gather again for the Media Noche or midnight meal – a feast that is also supposed to symbolize hopes for a prosperous New Year. And yeah, we are going to my mom's place again on the 31st and at my in-laws place on January 1st.

In spite of the yearly ban on firecrackers, some people here still see these as the traditional means to greet the New Year. The loud noises and sounds of merrymaking are not only meant to celebrate the coming of the New Year but are also supposed to drive away bad spirits. But boy, oh boy! We are so hating it! I hate the loud noise (my daughter is scared of it!), I hate the smell and to think this would create danger, too! Fireworks are okay, though, because it's nice to see and it's quite harmless, too...

Anyways, this is what usually happens here in our place. I would love to know what takes place during the New Year at your end, too..

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

miss ko na magcelebrate ng pasko at bagong taon satin huwahhhhhhh...

mommy cooks, this is my new creation, pakiadd mo please kung pwede, i added u there already.. mwah!

Shemah said...

Hmmm.. we don't really have traditions when it comes to New Year.

During Christmas, we'll usually have Christmas brunch somewhere at a hotel or some place nice. Then dinner, I'll be cooking up a storm, preparing a lavish feast (although I usually just order the turkey from somewhere else LOL!). Then after dinner, we'll open the presents.

However, this year, I wasn't able to go back for Christmas, so the family just went for Christmas dinner at Hyatt hotel. hehehe..

niko said...

same tradition cooks. noche buena and media noche are really family affairs..

but on my part, we are at my inlaws at 12am's and at my moms's the next day.. hehe

and yeah.. i hate firecrackers too!!!

have a blessed new year dear!

Mummy Gwen said...

We don't have any family celebration for New Year. But it's a huge celebration for our country. Especially on New YEar's eve, fireworks display will be held in the city with concerts and huge crowds will gather for the countdown. We are planning to have a nice dinner on New Year's eve. :)

During CNY, you could hear loud firecrackers here..haha. Gwen not quite bothered by the loud noises though. :P But she is terrified of vacuum cleaners..hahaha

amiable amy said...

i always have this kind of celebration there in Pinas, mao nia ako na miss...

Anyway, happy new year cookie pie, hoping for the best and may you always have good health and more blessings to come .

Dhemz said...

nakakamiss naman ang celebration nato...maypa dha mommy cooks kay bonga pa..dire na..no comment nalng ko...heheh! hapit na ang new year...Happy New year sa imo ug sa imo family!