Filipinos typically welcome the new year singing karaoke songs while consuming their favorite alcohol drinks. It’s a custom that was passed down through many generations. While it is difficult to break such practices, we cannot discount the fact that alcohol consumption brings no lasting gains, rather, it brings short-lived fun and lingering pains. 

Scientific evidence examined by the WHO suggests that there is no safe amount of alcohol that does not affect a person’s health. Health risks to an alcohol consumer starts from the first drop of any alcoholic beverage. With the rising costs of health care paid out of pocket by majority of Filipinos, it is imperative to call for a renewed interest in strengthening alcohol control policies in the Philippines.

It is because of these reasons that, in the past two months, the Health Promotion Program at the UP Manila National Institutes of Health, began a new webinar series — Unbottling the Truth — that aims to raise awareness on the multi-faceted harms of alcohol consumption and its associated health and social impact. The series continues until August 2025 and will end in a culminating program echoing the call to declare September as National Alcohol Harms Awareness Month. 

This holiday season, let us be reminded that the recipe for a successful celebration does not include alcohol. Genuineness, empathy, and shared laughter are the true spirits that make gatherings memorable. Cheers to an alcohol-free New Year! Let us welcome 2025 free from the health, social, and economic harms of alcohol consumption!