As 2014 is now heading fast to the dustbin of history, we will once again celebrate the arrival of the New Year. Across the four corners of the globe, billions are bidding goodbye to the closing year as they prepare to welcome the incoming year.
As part of the Filipino tradition, it is common for Cebuanos to welcome the arrival of the New Year with the loudest bang in the hope that the New Year will bring good luck.
Later tonight, a few hours before 2015 takes over and minutes into the New Year, we will explode into celebratory mood, complete with fireworks and firecrackers.
The New Year celebration has always been bloody in this country because many revelers refuse to heed the reminders from the authorities to refrain from using deadly pyrotechnics.
It's no longer uncommon seeing and reading media reports about people landing in hospitals across the country with injuries sustained from their reckless celebration.
There are those who even lost their lives for using prohibited firecrackers and other pyrotechnic materials despite intensified efforts by authorities to prevent these deadly stuffs from finding their way into the market.
There are even some who use guns to welcome the New Year and, fueled by their drunkenness, would go on a rampage firing indiscriminately. That is why casualties from stray bullets are always part of the New Year revelry statistics.
As early as last week, the Department of Health and the police have been calling on the Filipinos to be always careful in their holiday celebrations. In fact, the DOH displayed photos of those who were severely injured in its newspaper advertisements to remind the public about how deadly irresponsible revelry can be.
The year 2014 is now rushing through the exit door as the stage has already been set for year 2015. And this paper joins the authorities in wishing the public a safe and joyful celebration as we welcome the New Year.