It is 12 midnight right now, January 29, 2006. From less than a block away from my house, I hear the sound of firecrackers. I look out the window, and see bursting fireworks in the sky. Oh yes, I recall - it is Chinese New Year, as based on China’s lunar calendar.

‘Kung Hei Fat Choi’ or ‘Kiong Hi Huat Tsay’ or ‘Xin Nian Kuai Le’ (Happy New Year!) ….or whichever way the Chinese say it. Goodness gracious, I guess I will never know the difference between Mandarin and Hokien. Like, it always drives me nuts - which is right - ‘To-sha’ or ‘Sze sze’ when saying ‘thank you’?

Anyway, 2006 is the Year of the Dog in Chinese astrology. Those also born in 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994 are under this sign. Now, if you were born earlier than the years mentioned, subtract 12 from 1958 and backwards on - and if the difference yields your birth year, then ’you are a dog’. 

There are many beliefs and practices that go along with the celebration of Chinese New Year, and which are likewise absorbed and observed by the people in this country. The most popular of these are the lighting of firecrackers, hanging of fruits, tangerine paper fruit decorations, wearing red clothes, decorating the house with everything red, and so on. These are commonly done by every family for belief that the firecrackers drive away evil spirits, while the fruits and bright decorations invite and usher in good luck and abundance the whole year round.

Apparently, there is no rationale behind these practices - or perhaps that people don’t ask anymore about it - they just believe.

A certain priest from Manila however, in giving homily to the parishioners of St. Therese Parish in Dagupan City last Thursday, mentioned a bit on the historical background of these traditions. Accordingly, the lighting of firecrackers, making of noises, hanging of red and brightly colored decorations were intended in the early times to drive away insects that used to flock and destroy farm crops. Well, nowadays, in a figurative sense, doing these shooed away bad luck (the crop-eating insects) and welcomed good luck (having abundant harvest). Thus from this perception came the notion that firecrackers, bright colors and fruits bring in good luck when lit and displayed in New Year.

How the Chinese people manage to be successful in their businesses should not be equated with luck. If at all, their trust in all things symbolic of luck, is just a way of conditioning their minds that indeed, they have luck with them, so that they can have the drive, energy and inspiration to make good in their businesses.

Hard work, thrift, diligence, commitment and dedication - these are the qualities of the Chinese that make them click in their businesses, not the luck , nor the age-old traditions.

I too used to imitate the ways of the Chinese in celebrating New Year. But I decided to forego them all this year.

Luck is not invited. It is earned.