One of the hazards in the Philippines on New Year's Eve is stray bullets. That's because of a certain Filipino tradition during the year-end holiday festivities to welcome the new year. Clue: It's somehow related to the American celebration of Independence Day on the Fourth of July.
Filipino Customs on New Year's Eve
By the way, have you already learned how to say 'Happy New Year' in Tagalog? You have just a few days left before 2009!