Having been inspired by Kwanzaa, I propose a new wonderful tradition that highlights seven qualities found in the Filipino spirit. The tradition needed the concept of symbolic gifts chosen carefully to focus on a specific quality each day. The idea of lighting candles is popular in many different holiday festivities and would have been a popular concept to “borrow.” However, Filipinos surely have better uses for candles, especially during regularly scheduled holiday “brown-outs” and thus there will be no mandatory candle-lighting here.

After much deliberation, the tradition came alive through caffeine-induced inspiration. It spoke to me in a soft, subtle voice with an accent undeniably Filipino. It told me the brilliance in the symbolism of its seven days. It spoke of the gifts to be exchanged in its name. The new tradition needed a good name — something ethnic-sounding, exotic yet catchy, and distinctly Filipino. As I sat there listening and writing the concepts for this new celebration, the voice grew stronger and louder, and in an ultimate epiphany, it revealed its name. What follows is the seven day celebration of Tang ‘Na.

On the first day of Tang ‘Na, people are to give gifts of toiletries or perfumes. With a smile, the gift-giver invokes a declaration in the native Tagalog: “Tang ‘nang kabahuan mo!” to which the recipient responds with “Tang ‘na mo.”

On the second day of Tang ‘Na, people are to give gifts of oversized clothing. With a smile, the gift-giver invokes a declaration in the native Tagalog: “Tang ‘nang katakawan mo!” to which the recipient responds with “Tang ‘na mo.”

On the third day of Tang ‘Na, people are to give gifts of educational textbooks. With a smile, the gift-giver invokes a declaration in the native Tagalog: “Tang ‘nang kabobohan mo!” to which the recipient responds with “Tang ‘na mo.”

On the fourth day of Tang ‘Na, people are not to give each other gifts. With a smile, both parties invoke a declaration in the native Tagalog: “Tang ‘nang karamutan mo!” and respond with “Tang ‘na mo.”

On the fifth day of Tang ‘Na, people are to give each other a joke or gag gift. With a smile, the gift-giver invokes a declaration in the native Tagalog: “Tang ‘nang kagaguhan mo!” to which the recipient responds with “Tang ‘na mo.”

On the sixth day of Tang ‘Na, people are to give gifts of hand-crafted paper crowns. With a smile, the gift-giver invokes a declaration in the native Tagalog: “Tang ‘nang kayabangan mo!” to which the recipient responds with “Tang ‘na mo.”

On the seventh day of Tang ‘Na, people are to gather together and have a sit-down dinner with each other. With a smile, both parties invoke a declaration in the native Tagalog: “Tang ‘nang kaibigan ko. Hapi nyu yir, ha!”