New Year is the time to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the coming new year with open arms. It is also a time to look back at the past year, analyzing what one should do to better his life for the year to come.

Celebrations begin a day before, with many people partying and even doing last minute shopping. Enjoyment also differs with various age groups; loud music for teenagers, delicious food and sweet tunes for adults and in-house games for small kids. Even with these variations, midnight is still marked by fireworks and fire crackers, people drinking champagne or sparkling wine, and prepare specially designed fruit basket full of 13 round fruits as symbol of abundance, happiness and good luck for the new year.

On the other hand, Health Secretary Enrique Ona reiterated its call for a safe celebration of the New Year as part of its campaign dubbed APIR - Aksyon: Paputok Injury Reduction. The Health chief revealed that there have already been 68 injuries reported nationwide from December 21 to 26. This number is 42 percent lower than last year’s and 20 percent lower than the five-year average recorded. No deaths were recorded.

On a again called on New Year revelers to just donate money the earmarked for firecrackers to victims of Typhoon Pablo. He added that this will be an injury-free and more meaningful way of welcoming the New Year.