Every year, Filipinos still observe a number of superstitious beliefs during New Year's Eve that were passed on from generation to generation. Although most of them sound ridiculous and have no scientific basis, these superstitions or "pamahiin" are believed to prevent bad luck and danger from happening in the incoming year.
Even if there are no studies to prove whether these peculiar beliefs are true, some Filipinos still care to try. Why not? As the oldies say, "Wala namang mawawala kung susubukan, diba?"
10 most popular Pinoy New Year's Eve superstitions
1. Fill your pockets with new bills and coins, scatter coins around the house
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2. Make as much noise as you can and use firecrackers to scare away evil spirits
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3. Wear polka dots as anything round signifies prosperity
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4. Jump 12 times at midnight to increase your height
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5. Prepare 12 round fruits as a symbol of prosperity for each month
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6. Serve and eat noodle dish (pancit) for long life
Source: Wikimedia Commons/Obsidian Soul
7. Turn on all the lights of the house so that the coming year is bright
Source: Getty Images/Astro-0
8. Open all doors, windows, cabinets and drawers to let the good fortune in
Source: Getty Images/Mo Elnadi
9. Avoid washing and combing one's hair to avoid bringing bad luck for the entire year
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10. Do not clean anything inside or outside the house on New Year's day or else you might sweep away the good fortune
Source: ABC Australia
