My 2017: Welcoming the new year - Positivity and Getting Stronger Together for 2018

What is it like to celebrate New Year's Eve (NYE) in Davao City, Philippines?

All my life (I am 22 now), I've never been anywhere but here in Davao. I was born here, raised here, got my diploma here and currently working here. I am still living with my parents, which is not unusual here in the Philippines unless you're married or living in a different city from them, thus, I have celebrated all the New Year's Eve with them, at home, in our only residence.

|Fun fact: Davao City is the hometown of our President Rodrigo R. Duterte. 👍

Most Davaoñeos make it as a practice to always celebrate NYE in our own house, with the family. Indeed, welcoming the New Year right, right? 😊

Here is a photo of us attending a mass 2 hours before the midnight. As Roman Catholics, a mass is celebrated on New Year's Eve for the Solemnity of the Motherhood of Mary.
Groufie after Mass

My sister is part of the choir, and here's a photo of the choir who served on that mass.

Now, for the most awaited part. Midnight strikes and we welcome 2018 with joy!

As you can see, we are wearing Polka Dots printed outfits. Yes! We wear one every NYE and most of the time, my mother would make these outfits for us.

Welcoming 2018 full of happiness and positivity

One distinct thing you would notice if you'd celebrate NYE in Davao is that there are no firecrackers allowed here. They are banned as long as I can remember. Not even fireworks. Or even a sparkler. :/ But it's not as bad as it sounds. Actually, they are banned because firecrackers cause accidents and fires and fireworks produce too much smoke. Health and safety are the local government's priority here in Davao, that's why.

So, if no firecrackers to make noises for us, what then is a great way to make noises? TOROTOT!!! (Party Horn)

Fun fact: Davao City has a Torotot Festival aims for Guinness World Record holder.

Now, I would like to share our food that we prepared as we welcome 2018.

Did you know that Ham is an important food during NYE? 😂 Some companies give their employees Ham for the holidays. Isn't it wonderful?

Here's some Pineapple juice to detox the foods. JK!

We had so much fun together as a family. We ended 2017 with gladness that it happened and we welcomed 2018 full of hope for a great year for everyone.

It is now on the third day of 2018 and I would like to thank @anomadsoul sponsored by @blocktrades for asking a question (rather have this as a contest) on how we celebrated NYE. It is minutes away from Jan 3 in PH Time, but all is well that ends well as they say!

Cheers to more fun and more blessings to all of us in this year 2018.

-Nice