This is a story about New Years Eve and how and why I do it this way. It occurred to me years ago that my family here in the RP had a tradition celebrating the New Year that went back to when my wife Mayang was a kid. It had never changed until I entered the picture after we were married. I’ll explain later.
My history with the New Years revelry dated back to the early sixties prior to joining the Navy. My friends would have a party and they never went off well, because of puking and drama and then more drama and more puking. Teenagers can never get it right, and the parties were always a bust.
After joining the Navy it was not much different with the exception that the drinking part was now legal. But again the puking and drama prevailed. I thought about it and tried to figure out why that was. Regular parties seemed to come together just fine, and the reason for the party didn’t seem to matter. Then it dawned on me, it’s the ultimate amateur night. People who never attended the regular parties during the year all came out on New Year’s Eve. So if that was going to be the case, then I wouldn’t.
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Over the years I’d be talked into joining in on the festivities and each time was disappointing. Only on New Year’s Eve would this happen, like the time my friend on the USS Alstead (AF-48) invited me to a party in Detroit with promises of a grand time, and oh we had to take my car. We drove from Norfolk VA to Detroit MI and halfway there the snow started to fall, my 1962 Chevy Belair was not used to snow, and was ill-equipped to deal with it.
So we arrived in Detroit late in the day on December 31, 1967. I then found out that my shipmate Barney had no real plan for the evening, and didn’t know where any parties were. I won’t go into vast detail about the night let it suffice that it was a total bust. But because of the freezing temperatures my engine blew out a couple of piston rings and was burning oil at an alarming rate. So bad that I was stopped on the Pennsylvania Turnpike because I was turning the snow black, the trooper told me I could proceed no further. When I asked if I sign the title over to him or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, he decided to let us continue to our ship. The entire trip we’d stop for oil and check the gas, most places gave me used oil for free.
So now I’m back in Virginia, its 1968 and I am so mad I could push my car over the pier into Chesapeake Bay. There were more disappointing New Years, so I swore them off. I’ll have a drink with you on Tuesday morning for no damn reason, but on New Year’s, leave me alone. But I did forgive my car and had the engine rebuilt, plus Detroit was check off on my bucket list.
Dateline: The Philippines; on our first New Years after we are married, Mayang wants to go to her parent’s house for the party. The party was boring; no one was having fun, although my father-in-law did set his grass roof on his house aflame with his Roman candles that he set off to close to the house.
That’s when it struck me over the head and awoke me to the fact; I’m jinxed, just like that kid on Peanuts with the cloud over his head. Give it up Paul; it’s just not to be.
Also I noted that Mayang plus the family were spending too much time worrying about if I was having a good time so much that my wife and family never got to relax and really enjoy themselves. As I said, this has happened at no other party, just that damnable New Years Eve.
So for the last twenty years on New Year’s Eve my wife goes to her Mother’s house and I stay home and watch the house with hoses laid out ready to put out stray fireworks that land on my roof. Mayang and her siblings have a great time and she comes home the next morning, after having her night to howl.
Oh, cocktails Tuesday under the mango tree, be there!
Its Monday again, another great story Paul. Im just the same as you Paul I stay out of the way, also microphones are banned in my house lol lol.
John;
My three house dogs tremble during the fireworks, another reason I have to be home to protect them. I sent my magic Mic. down to the party, as it has a chip with 10,000 songs and I didn’t have to listen to any of it. My buddy down in Olongapo spent $600.00 on fireworks; I think he was reenacting the Battle of the Bulge.
I love a song Paul but just hate to hear it being murdered lol
John;
All native born people in the Philippines were conceived with the singing gene ingrained within their DNA makeup. Or so they told me! Other were born tone deaf, but the gene is still there.
Hi Paul: I’m with you on having peace and quiet during New Year’s Eve. I didn’t accept party invitations this year. I do not drink alcoholic beverages, so this year I spared myself from the annoying howling and drama scenarios. We had peace and quiet this year. What a great year to start with in 2013. Happy belated New Year to you and your family!
Hi Roselyn;
Peace and quiet, well the fireworks prevented that, but this year no one burned down their house which was a first in our purok. And you are so right about the drama; Oh my life is such and such, yeah I want to listen to that at a party.
When I get together with my friends at a watering hole, our wives will leave us guys there and go to a beauty parlor to get their nails done or go shopping. We men are only required to do one thing, be at that bar when they return and that’s not asking too much!.
A great New Year I wish upon you and yours!
You surprise me, I would think the Mancave Bar would be open 24 hours… I know mine is.
Lenny;
It’s always open and fully stocked, I just wasn’t there…
I fondly refer to the fireworks as Baranguy Burners and Renewal Rockets…matches in one hand…Tanduay in the other, and wooden shacks (homes) that have been drying in the tropic sun for 15 years stacked 3 high and 20 deep all up and down the street….I’m shocked to this day half the city dicn’t burn down!
Brian;
As I said above this was the first year we had no firecracker induced urban renewal and I was surprised. Drunks with pyrotechnics is thing to behold and fear. That’s why I have three charged hoses laid out. Just to be safe.
Great story Paul. Fireworks in Phils can be dangerous. I also prefer a quiet evening on New Years Eve, and relaxing drinks with friends on New Years Day.
Mike;
My friends didn’t come out of hibernation until Jan. 2nd, I believe New Years Eve beat them down, But we were all together on Wednesday for cocktails and lunch. My wife woke me up at midnight, to wish me a Happy New Year, I took it with a smile and went back to sleep.
hi Paul
its just another day as far as im concerned…..get much more excited when my favourite football team is being televised, lol
David;
I feel the same way, it’s kinda a non-day, but you must admit it sure does draw the armature partiers out of the woodwork for that one night a year.
All the best Paul to you and Maria for 2013.
Know where you are coming from with the new years debarcle been there myself and got the t shirt.
Angie and myself at midnight just bring the year in just outside the pool door with the boys. By 5 minutes past midnight we are in bed. But the next day at my bar
the beers and the old vodka or rum bottle take some strain.
Into a 21 year old Angustura rum at the moment want to come and help me?
Frank;
The best of the New Year to you and yours, A 21 year old rum would worry me, I mean if they waited that long to drink it, could something have been wrong with it? (LOL) I’d gladly have a taste or two!
Thanks always for your stories.
John;
You are most welcome, enjoy 2013!
A quiet evening at home and watching the thousands of people freezing their you know whats off at Times Square on TV suits me just fine. It’s another year gone by. Happy New Year Paul, thanks for your articles here on ” LIP ” for the past year.
Hi Bob;
I have to give Anderson Cooper and the non-funny chick Kathy a pass on New Years Eve, anyway it come on here during my afternoon nap! (lol) I prefer to watch Coconuts drop.
It was crazy in Pulung Catcutud (Angeles). Non-stop fireworks with a continual “rumble” for a long time. My wife had one margarita at 2100 and promptly went to sleep! She can’t hang with the big boys (I had two margaritas). Happy New Year to you all.
Paul,
I’m with you its best just to stay home and protect the house. Next year will be my 1st New Years there. Supposedly in the subdivision where we will be buying a house, fireworks are prohibited. We will see. I wouldn’t hold my breath. Take care and hold down the fort in Bataan. See you later this year
PapaDuck;
Both in Olongapo and Dinalupihan Fireworks are banned, Mmmm I wonder where all that noise came from. No one will enforce that rule, tell me how it went in 2014!
Al;
I believe you took a very wise course of action. That noise can get to be something!
Paul,
i like new years eve but i dont like firecrackers, we traditionally celebrate the new years eve really with a big bang, like papa duck says, we plan to live in a quite place so we will not worry about the next new years comes. have a nice day.
Anne;
A good Idea, but finding that quiet place on New Year’s Eve will be an Adventure all by its self. As an American We go crazy on July 4th with our firecrackers, so I understand the Philippines and theirs. I don’t really mind the noise (Albeit my dogs hate it) I just don’t want to go to any parties.
Hi Paul, I am with you wholeheartedly! After spending so many years on a lighthouse, New Years is just another day. I now travel with a very nice pair of ear plugs. These are used for airplane flights, karaoke evenings in the barangay, and New Years! I woke up quite refreshed on January 1st, 2013 at 8AM!
Thanks for another great story!
John;
I misplaced my earplugs when I retired, but 30 plus years on ships has decreased my hearing. Sittin on deck manning a 3 inch 50 deck gun with no hearing protection provided they are pretty much shot. (No pun intended) But I was up early well rested and ready to face the New Year!
Paul, regarding your “decreased hearing” as a result of manning those deck guns, are you being compensated by the Veterans Affairs? You see, you get a complete physicals upon enlistment, then another one prior to being discharged from the military. When your hearing was rated 100 percent when you first entered service, and, let’s say, it had gone down to 85 percent at the time you were processed out of the Navy, you are entitled to a 15 percent disability compensation from the government. I, too, have a “decreased hearing” arising out of my 3 years of military service in the Army in Germany, due to constant exposure to machine gun fire on the firing range. I have a 15 percent disability, and receive a monthly compensation for life from the Veterans Affairs. It goes up with COLA increases as well. I think there is a Veterans Affairs in Manila, hence you may want to check this out. You could be entitled to a monthly compensation for life RETROACTIVE to when you were discharged from the Navy, like what, 20 years ago? That’s serious money. 🙂
John;
You are right, I know I’m eligible but have never bother to apply, I went to the VA a few times in Florida with my Father and I saw the run-around he got and figured no amount would be worth that. Now I’d have to go to Manila, Beat me with a big stick.
.
May 2013 be the best year yet… When I was a lot younger I too stayed at home on New Years Eve. The rest of the year was party time.
Gary;
I couldn’t agree more, I too don’t need no stinkin’ calendar to tell me it’s time to have a good time. BTW today is Tuesday, I’ll see you under that mango tree, and the drinks are on me!
Sorry, guys, but the Mrs. and I like to party on New Year’s eve, not as hosts but as participants to the revelry. There’s just something about welcoming the new year with lots of people around you when the clock hits 12 and all hell break loose – balloons and confetti come down on the dance floor from the ceiling, singing and dancing, toasting champagne, and just plain, good old merry making. Oh, not to forget, lots of hugging and kissing – me and my wife, that is, which is not to say we don’t hug and kiss all year round. For this new year’s revelry, we were at sea aboard a cruise ship heading back to Manhattan from the Caribbean. Last year, we were in Casablanca. LOL It’s not what you think, if you’re thinking about Humphrey Bogart and a foggy airport somewhere in Morocco. It’s the name of a Middle Eastern restaurant in Alexandria, Virginia. 🙂
John;
If we all thought the same way they would only have to make one style of car, we’d all vote the same way, and dress alike. So go out and have a ball, that’s your right. I’m happy to hear you had a great time. Happy New Year John, may the year be great to you and those you hold dear!
John(Ricardo)
I don’t mind the parties on New Years either, but just don’t care for all the excess fireworks. Glad you had a wonderful time on your cruise. I’m looking forward to doing plenty of traveling in Asia and beyond when i retire there later this year. Just don’t know exactly when that will be yet. Take care and have a wonderful New Year
My best wishes to you and Anne for a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year as well, Papa Duck! I’m no fan of firecrackers either, but fireworks are OK but only on July 4th at the DC Mall for me. Yes, we did have a good time on the cruise, and am already looking at the next New Year’s eve party sailing, this time out of Baltimore because Christmas and New Year’s sailings sell out pretty quick. I heard you will be retiring earlier than originally planned. Good for you, Papa Duck. Then you can start your planned charity earlier to help the less fortunate out there in Cavite. With two pensions from the U.S. and state of Florida, plus Social Security (although reduced due to the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP)), heck, you and Anne would be living like the proverbial king and queen in the Philippines. 🙂
John Reyes
Salaza, Palauig, Zambales
Eversince I got married, my husband and I spend NYE together even if he allows me to spend it with my family who lives nearby. Although my family’s not into the usual new year revelry, still I would rather welcome the New Year alone with my hubby. 🙂
Suelang;
To each his own, my wife has her one day a year to hoop and holler, and be with hir siblings and family without having to takecare of me. I’ve happy if she’s happy. BTW her Mother’s house is a 10 minute walk away from ours.
I agree. Your wife’s family – your family I should say is a happy bunch and you’re fortunate to keep the strong family bonding and tradition throughout the years. And I bet you and your lovely wife Mayang had a pre-new year and post celebration with your own brand of fireworks haha. 😉
Suelang;
We both enjoy her family very much; we’ve put a few through colleges, helped in other ways, and have fun whenever we are all together.
Mayang and I over the years, we’ve never needed any excuse to “celebrate”. One time we were eating lunch and she passed me the salt, our hands touched, our eyes met, and it was spontaneous. But we are barred from ever going to that restaurant again.
awww <3 now THIS! This kind of stuff I would love to hear and read about. Nothing beats True Love! You and your lovely wife is an inspiration to us. Thank you for sharing us your stories <3
Suelang;
An inspiration? I’ve been called many things, but that’s the first time for that!
Paul,
I know exactly what you what you are talking about. I believe the feeling is best described by the term “Even Keeled”, which Marriam Webster’s online version defines as:
Even-Keeled = Characterized by stability or consistency
To me, you can’t get any better in life than being with good friends and family at anytime; and great food and adult beverages are just icing on the proverbial cake. With that going in position, any other reason/catalyst to celebrate besides the aforementioned factors is not necessary (New Years Eve party bash, etc….). When one is “even keeled” in their disposition, particularly when it comes to milestone festivities like New Years Eve, there is bound to always be a sense of letdown when everyone builds up an event and you could have been just as happy with the get together on any other given day (minus the hype of course). Hopefully that all made some kind of sense back your way.
WW
Wonderwall;
Being that I was a sailor for close to 40 years Even-Keeled always meant to me that my dinner plate would remain on the table vice on the deck.
But I agree with you that to get together with friends and family really doesn’t need the day to have a fancy name such as Birthday, New Year’s Eve or just Tuesday or Saturday ECT. Is good enough for me