Bright fireworks light up the night sky as families, friends and relatives watch the old year go by and wait for the New Year to arrive. As the New Year unfolds, countless resolutions and promises are made.

This 2012, many of the teens I spoke with say they intend to break out of their usual routine and strive to try something new. In fact, try something very, very different. And here’s what they had to say:

“I’ll be going to college next year, and since that means more independence, I’ll probably learn how to cook. I’ll probably be reading more! The year 2012 is a good year for books.” —Regine Cabato, Ateneo de Zamboanga High School

“For next year, I would like to try out basketball, especially since I’m a huge fan of NBA. I’m also interested in taking up swimming and badminton to keep myself fit.” —Serena Uy, Chinese International School Manila

“I would like to try cooking. A lot of my friends know how to cook, and I don’t want to be the only one who doesn’t know how. Besides, we will have culinary arts as the extracurricular subject next year for high school juniors in LSGH.”—Michael James Gaborni, La Salle Green Hills

“I’d like to try writing songs and scripts. I’m planning on collaborating with a friend to write a novel. Other than that, I’m planning on developing my art style, so I can start taking commissions for money that I could use to add to my allowance. I’ll also try studying math and science in advance as a preparation for college.”—Chelsea Lopez, Immaculate Conception Academy

“I’d love to start cooking in 2012. I want to learn how to cook my favorite dishes all by myself!” —Jeewon Lee, British School Manila

“I would like to try baking for 2012 since my skills in baking are not that great, and it seems like it’s something really interesting.” —Vishal Sadhwani, LSGH

“Next year, I would want to learn how to play the saxophone.”—Jan Adrian Chan, Xavier School

“Surfing.”—Bianca Dy, Immaculate Conception Academy

“I would like to try a lot of things, but I’m most sure of this: doing a collaboration on some novel or comic with my friends. This year, I was a bit inconsistent with my writing and drawing. I thought I would have more fun and work better next year. I would like to be grounded and well-balanced and also, have more fun.”—Dominique Zurbano, St Theresa’s College

“I would like to learn a new language like Spanish or French. I would also want to learn more things about the computer.”—Maxine San Agustin, TMA

“This 2012, I want to try starting my own little business, which will hopefully grow over the next few years! I want to experience skydiving at least once in my life, so maybe 2012 will be the year to do just that.”—Kathleen Huang, Immaculate Conception Academy

“This 2012, I would like to try dancing because I want to express my feelings, thoughts and insights through moves that can change and rock the world!”—John Matthew Ruiz, La Salle Green Hills

“I would like to try yoga in 2012. Although it is not a sport, it is a way to release stress accumulated from schoolwork. Yoga can also improve my overall physical flexibility, which will be a great asset in PE. I’ve learned that yoga provides positive psychology. This means that in addition to its physical advantages, there are also mental benefits, such as the development of an individual’s positivity, discipline and inner consciousness.”

—Maxine Yao, British School Manila

“For next year, I would like to try culinary arts because I’ve discovered from my parents that this skill is important for Lasallian senior students for their ‘Kampihan.’ Besides that, culinary arts will be a part of our curriculum next year, once I’m already third year. Lastly, it’s one of the basic skills needed in our everyday lives. Having the basic training will, at the very least, help you and your family survive. Without it, we would all be scavenging for leftovers.”—Vince Nieva, La Salle Green Hills