The New Year on Wednesday is the year of the green horse. Whether it brings good or bad tidings, welcome, just the same. Based on the Chinese Astrology Calendar, 2014 is Year of the Horse and it will arrive on February 4 in China Standard Time. So much about Chinese astrology, what is important is that Filipinos do believe in this yearly belief whether founded on superstition or modern science. Universally, New Year's Day is observed on January 1 , the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar as well as the Julian calendar used in the Roman Empire since 45 BC. [1] Romans originally dedicated New Year's Day to Janus , the god of gates, doors, and beginnings for whom the first month of the year ( January ) is named. Later, as a date in the Gregorian calendar of Christendom , New Year's Day liturgically marked the Feast of the Circumcision of Christ , and is still observed as such in the Anglican Church and Lutheran Church . [2] [3] In present day, with most countries now using the Gregorian calendar as their de facto calendar, New Year's Day is probably the world's most celebrated public holiday , often observed with fireworks at the stroke of midnight as the new year starts in each time zone.

While firecracker explosion, in most places throughout the country symbolizes the coming of the New Year, it was quite subdued when Christmas eve ushered in last December 24. In Bohol, the Christmas celebration was punctuated with sporadic firecracker blasts, a manifestation that Boholanos must have realized that it would be frivolous to mark the birth of Christ with a bang while some of their province mates are still reeling from the impact of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake. The coming New Year is no different if the recent Christmas eve revelry was any gauge. Although firecrackers are sold everywhere whether in the sly or in the open market, reports reaching the Post showed that its sale remains sluggish the past few days after Christmas. Vendors are hoping that there will be a mad rush for firecracker possession on New Year's eve. What is in vogue as the New Year draws near is the penchant to buy round shaped fruits which some people believe that they bring good fortune to the coming year. In this city, practically all street corners are filled with fruit stalls selling all kinds of rounded fruits even those that are not in season. One typical site where rounded fruits are sold in abundance is the Tagbilaran City Square where every nook and cranny is occupied with fruit vendors trying to cash in with the New Year's urge to buy anything round including polka dots apparels.