Sunday, January 20, 2008 Cuban countdown By Jinggoy Salvador
Fidel Castro.
The illustrious Cuban cigars.
Crisp Guayabera linen shirts.
Havana straw hats.
Big brass band.
Cha-cha-cha!
When the Cubanos welcome the coming year expect an exciting time with great pomp and merry-making. Beso-beso, abrazo abrazo. Presents and fond wishes are exchanged gifts between friends and family.
New Year's Eve is the big deal in Cuba, and you should be in a town. It coincides with the celebration of the success of the revolution (the ailing Fidel did not fail to deliver his message on this day.) One thing is for sure- the entire place goes wild. The revelry of the coming year is brought to life through music, dancing, and a splash of quirky good luck rituals.
A cherished and unique tradition is to consume black-eyed peas-not the popular band- along with other New Year dishes. It is believed that black-eyed peas with rice and collard will usher in good luck and fortune to the family.
And speaking of fortune, while we don polka dotted garments, new underwear or red Chiongsams for good luck, green is the color of the Cubanos' celebration. It is the color of dinero, need I say more?
Conga-ing tirelessly until the break of dawn, these dance-loving creatures love celebrating this night in pubs and ballrooms.
So does the Dabawenyos.
Minus the Cuban cigars- smoking ban, remember?- and the Cuban garb- how I wish men wore the classic Guayabera shirts and the women splashed the ballroom with color and showed some legs- the new year countdown celebration at the Marco Polo was just as fun and spectacular as the Cuban's. You can't have it all but the at least the important factors where there- the band was superb and their music was great. It made dancing quite infectious. And not to forget the good vibes that everyone brought in. The coming year was ushered in with great expectations positivity.
The ballroom was packed with the locals dressed up in their new year's best. The Latino look was absent but the Latin heart on the dance floor was beating. Recently, it has been this hotel that enjoys hosting the local new year gathering that Insular and Apo View used to host, and they are doing a great job.
So, if Fidel did decide to welcome 2008 here in Davao, I am sure the revelry will go notches higher than the standard Davao level of partying. He might abide with the city's no smoking policy but in exchange, everyone should be cha-cha-cha-ing until the first sunrise of the year. Deal or no deal? Don't test the dictator. But wherever the deal may end up, it could be the best party Davao will ever have.
