KWENTONG PINOY

NUEVA ECIJA – During wakes for the dead, or in rituals to honor the dead, people who come to commiserate with the members of the bereaved family perform certain activities that will somehow help in easing their sufferings.

The activities are usually done at night up to the wee hours of the morning.

Some play card games, sungka, mahjong, scrabble, tong-its, and other popular games.

Others pray.

There are also several unwritten “don’ts” during the wake for the dead and in burying the dead.

One centuries-old practice during the wake for the dead which is still alive in some towns in Nueva Ecija and Bulacan is the juego de prenda. It is a game involving verbal joust in poetic form by the participating males and females who are generally single.

Oftentimes, this game attracts Tagalog poets in far-away places and is a cause for excitement for many people.

In the gamer, the participants are expected to be adept in coming out with verses on wide-ranging topics that include politics, religion, love, courtship, marriage, culture – anything including the absurd, the obscene, jungle philosophies, the comical or what have you.


STRICT RULES

But there are strict rules to be followed.
Those who commit errors, those who say things that are offensive to the sensibilities or those who forget their lines are fined or asked to “pawn” any of his/her valuables.

In juego de prenda, there is a hari (king), an enselador (moderator), bilyakos (male participants), and bilyakas (female participants). The participants are seated by the side of a long table facing each other with the hari at the head table.

The enselador has a palmatorya (a whip) which symbolizes his power to impose fines or punishments.

The game starts with the har telling everybody about his bird that flew away and perched on one of the participants. The participants are given names or assigned numbers.

Usually the males are assigned numbers only from one to as many as those participating.  The females usually select flowers as their names like Sampaguita, Rosal, Kamya, Kampupot, Dama de Noche, or even Kantutay whatever that flower is.

The hari calls out a name in which he believes his bird perched which is readily denied and names another participants in which the bird likely went. And the game goes on.

In case a lady-participant commits a mistake, the enselador imposes a fine or punishment.


INTENSE DEFENSE 

But before the fine or punishment is imposed, some bilyakos come to the succor of the lady by defending her thru verses with penetrating arguments, philosophies, sayings and other profound thoughts.

A bilyako who has a deep affection to a bilyaka can make known his feelings thru a verse. He addresses his feelings toward his lady love:

“Kumusta ka, Rosal, ang luhog ko’t daing? “ (The man asks her about her answer to his still unrequited love). 

The bilyaka must be good  in answering the bilyako also thru verses. Like this one:

“Di ko nilalahat mga lalake ngayon/ Ang kahalintulad ay puno ng kahoy/Nais nang  pasanin, di pa napuputol.” (Which could mean that some more sacrifices or rendering more services to the family of his lady love must be done.)    

Or her answer may be like this:

“Nang dumating ka’y lagas na ang tangkay/Buko ma’y wala na’t nasa ibang kamay”.

(She said she already gave her “yes” to somebody a long time ago.)

Some bilyakos recite verses which are obscene for which they are given punishment which could either be a song or recitation of a poem. Others recite verses that can eleicit laughter. This can also merit punishment which also includes reciting prayers for the dead or performing some acts.

Before the game is adjourned, a closing dalit or song for the dead is recited or sung.   
    

SOME RITUALS, BELIEFS

During the wake for the dead and in burying the dead, several rituals and beliefs are followed religiously in many places in Nueva Ecija and some other provinces.

Among these are:

* While the body is lying in state, nobody should clean the house with the use of brooms. The filth must be picked up by the bare hands.

* No family member of the dead should bathe while the body still lies in state. Using a wet towel in cleaning the body may be allowed.

* Family members of the dead should not eat bitter gourd (ampalaya) and sour fruits or they will have measles or small lumps on their bodies.

* The arms of the dead should be straight and parallel to the body and the fists not closed. It is also a practice to place a coin in the hands of a dying person. Before burial, it should be retrieved. Whoever keeps the coin will be successful in his/her endeavors, especially those pertaining to business.

* A rosary should be placed inside the coffin, but it should not have broken beads or thread so no problem would bother the surviving family members.

*No burial should take place on a Monday because it is the first day of the week. There may be bad luck the rest of the week for family members of the dead. Neither should the burial take place on a Tuesday or Friday, the witches’ days.

* Before the actual burial, young children of the dead should be carried across the top of the coffin to and fro.

* No tear drop should fall on any part of the body of the dead. A tear means that his/her death is not yet accepted, and he/she will have difficulty entering his/her last destination.

* Pregnant women should not join the funeral processions because they would suffer an abortion or difficulties in childbirth.

Some other practices say that as the coffin is carried out of the house, all windows must be closed. Then, a widow should drop or break the earthen cooking pot placed under the bier during the wake.

Shutting windows is done so that “bad spirits” will not enter the house of the dead person. Breaking the pot drives away another misfortune in the house.

Why it is a widow, not any other person woman, should break the pot is not clearly known.

After the entombment, those who join the funeral procession must return to the house of the dead to get a sprinkling of water. The water is from a basin-full of the liquid mixed with gin and with four 25-centavo coins in it.

“Wala namang mawawala kung susundin ang mga paniniwala at ritwal. Hayaan na lang natin. Baka nga magkatotoo kung hindi sundin ay sisihin pa tayo ng maraming tao (Nothing is lost if you follow these beliefs and rituals. Let’s leave them be. In case they come true if we ignore them, we might be blamed),” said one of those who believe about the rituals and beliefs.

***

                       The Case for Princess Urduja

                                              by John Smart

Fact or fiction? The only first-hand, documented case given for her existence is the writing of one Ibn Batuta — a Moroccan born, Islamic lawyer turned travel writer, who journeyed on a Chinese merchant ship from India to Canton – whose last stop before arriving in the Southern Chinese port was to visit the Kingdom of Tawalisi,in the year 1347. The main case for her non-existence is that she is described as having elephants as load bearers and, of course, we all know that there are no elephants in the Philippines. Right?

But first, who was Princess Urduja and what did she do that made her so important as to become the subject of a detailed 14th century travelogue and, more
recently, erudite historic debate?

If Batuta’s first-hand reports are correct, the Princess was a leader of such significant import that the lowland and highland tribes, from Mountain Province to Zambales,acknowledged her unifying power such that peace reigned throughout the central regions of Luzon for fear of retribution by her “red-breasted warriors” or kinalakian — Batuta’s explicit description no doubt stems from the striking contrast
a topless, suntanned, copper-skinned woman must have offered when compared to those in his own country, who more timidly exposed their bodies in private and far away from any sunlight. The daughter of the King of Tawalisi, she was given charge over
much of his Kingdom after the King’s son failed to make an impact in battle and left it to his sister to defeat a formidable enemy. She and her father are reported to have been the recipient of tributes equal to those bestowed upon the King of China (a significant accolade in the 1300s); together, they commandeered Chinese junks that trespassed waters under their control and audaciously negotiated reparations before releasing them back to the owners. She was unassailed in combat by any men who had thought to court her Urduja was by any measure a woman of substance, learning and immense presence such that all who were subject to her governance lived peacefully and in awe of her power, which protected them from erstwhile enemies. But . . . was she real?

First let us consider the elephants. Batuta actually wrote that, amongst other things, he was presented with “two elephant loads of rice”. Consider how you might describe to someone across the other side of the world the size of a jeepney-load of rice? If your intended reader had knowledge of elephants (they certainly did across much of South Asia and the Middle East – Batuta’s origin) then this would be a useful simile to use, without the need for physical elephants to be present to transport the rice at hand. But . . .In Rizal province there can be found Elephant Hill, so named for the remains of elephants found there in recent history. And, on Anda Island, off the north coast of Pangasinan (in the middle of what was then known as Tawalisi), during the last century, elephant remains were found while foundations for a house were being excavated. In other words, it appears to matter not whether the reference to elephants was unambiguous or as simile . . . beasts of the elephant genome did indeed inhabit our islands.

Then, there is a question as to why a Princess in Luzon would have an apparently middle-eastern name: Urduja. This was the argument that I thought would most likely dispel my idolatrous vision of a true Filipino goddess. But then I chanced upon translations of transcripts from records of the Ibaloi tribes people (still living in the mountains of northern Luzon) and discovered that their orally preserved historical records, handed down since before the Spaniards rewrote most everyone else’s, laud a Princess Deboxah (pronounced Debuca) as being the founder of their tribes and who, they claim, is The Princess Urduja. Could “Urduja” be a simple mispronunciation by our Islamic lawyer friend who, by his own account, arrived late for the party being thrown to greet his traveling companions? One can imagine Batuta trying to translate the name most accurately above the cacophony of boisterous celebrations and, failing to find another Muslim (i.e. another sober) partygoer with whom to compare and confirm, phonetically recording people’s names (the written Philippine Baybayin script of the time was in any event based upon a phonetic, sanskrit style alphabet) for future transcription.

The only argument that seems to be potentially in favor of the naysayers is the nevertheless huge question of whether Dr. Jose Rizal’s computation of the distances, detailed in Batuta’s travelogue, cause the Kingdom of Tawalisi to be headquartered in or near Pangasinan. Despite a thorough trawl of literature referenced on the subject of Princess Urduja and Tawalisi, it seems nobody has been able to use Batuta’s records to definitively relocate the Kingdom.

And what of the source: Ibn Batuta — a Moroccan born, Islamic lawyer turned travel writer. Have his other words from the same and subsequent manuscripts been questioned for their accuracy? Whilst some have suggested that he may have added some color to certain items in his chronicles, nobody has discredited his texts to the point that any of his work is dismissed as fanciful or fiction. In fact his work has been hailed in most quarters as a “valuable record” of South East Asia at that time. If final confirmation is necessary, the renowned Philippine artist Fernando Amorsolo famous for his vivid scenes of everyday rural life and depictions of the beautifully romantic countryside in oil on canvas, saw the Princess as a fitting subject for a number of works. We are pleased to be able to reproduce one here with the kind permission of the current owner, Ms. Dorothy Francy. Thus, without veraciously tested evidence being offered to the contrary, it is my belief that Tawalisi, Princess Urduja, her “red-breasted warriors” and their descendants are integral parts of this patchwork quilt of an archipelago that the Spanish deemed worthy and desirable as conquest.

Long live the Princess!

Source: http://www.subicchamber.org/newsletters/dec2005-jan2006.pdf

                          

Hindi mayaman ang OFW - We have this notion na ‘pag OFW o nasa abroad ay mayaman na. Hindi totoo yun. A regular OFW might earn from P50K-P300K per month depende sa lokasyon. Yung mga taga-Saudi or US siguro ay mas malaki ang sweldo, but to say that they're rich is a fallacy (amen!).

Malaki ang pangangailangan kaya karamihan ay nag-a-abroad. Maraming bunganga ang kailangang pakainin kaya umaalis ang mga pipol sa Philippines . Madalas, 3/4 o kalahati ng sweldo ay napupunta sa tuition ng anak at gastusin ng pamilya.

Mahirap maging OFW – Kailangan magtipid hangga't kaya. Oo, masarap ang pagkain sa abroad pero madalas na paksiw o adobo at itlog lang tinitira para makaipon. Pagdating ng kinsenas o katapusan, ang unang tinitingnan eh ang conversion ng peso sa dollar o riyal o euro. Mas okay na magtiis sa konti kaysa gutumin ang pamilya. Kapag umuuwi, kailangan may baon kahit konti kasi maraming kamag-anak ang sumusundo sa airport o naghihintay sa probinsya. Alam mo naman ‘pag Pinoy, yung tsismis na OFW ka eh surely attracts a lot of kin.

Kapag hindi mo nabigyan ng pasalubong eh magtatampo na yun at sisiraan ka na. Well, hindi naman lahat pero I'm sure sa mga OFW dito eh may mga pangyayaring ganun. Magtatrabaho ka sa bansang iba ang tingin sa mga Pinoy. Malamang marami ang naka-experience ng gulang o discrimination to their various workplaces. Sige lang, tiis lang, iniiyak na lang kasi kawawa naman pamilya 'pag umuwi.

Besides, wala ka naman talagang maasahang trabaho sa Philippines ngayon. Mahal ang bigas, ang gatas, ang sardinas, ang upa sa apartment. Tiis lang kahit maraming kupal sa trabaho, kahit may sakit at walang nag-aalaga, kahit hindi masarap ang tsibog, kahit pangit ang working conditions, kahit delikado, kahit mahirap. Kapag nakapadala ka na, okay na, tawag lang, "hello! kumusta na kayo?"

Hindi bato ang OFW - Tao rin ang OFW, hindi money o cash machine. Napapagod rin, nalulungkot (madalas), nagkakasakit, nag-iisip at nagugu­tom. Kailangan din ang suporta, kundi man physically, emotionally o spiritually man lang.

Tumatanda rin ang OFW - Sa mga nakausap at nakita ko, marami ang panot at kalbo na. Most of them have signs and symptoms of hypertension, coronary artery disease and arthritis. Yet, they continue to work thinking about the family they left behind. Marami ang nasa abroad, 20-30 years na, pero wala pa ring ipon. Kahit anong pakahirap, sablay pa rin. Masakit pa kung olats rin ang sinusuportahang pamilya – ang anak adik o nabuntis; ang asawa may kabit. Naalala ko tuloy ang sikat na kanta dati, “NAPAKASAKIT KUYA EDDIE!"

Bayani ang OFW – Totoo yun! Ngayon ko lang na na-realize na bayani ang OFW sa maraming bagay. Hindi bayani na tulad ni Nora Aunor o Flor Contemplacion. Bayani in the truest sense of the word. Hindi katulad ni Rizal o Bonifacio. Mas higit pa dun, mas maraming giyera at gulo ang pinapasok ng OFW para lang mabuhay. Mas maraming pulitika ang kailangang suungin para lang tumagal sa trabaho lalo na't kupal ang mga kasama sa trabaho. Mas mahaba ang pasensya kaysa sa mga ordinaryong kongresista o senador sa Philippines dahil sa takot na mawalan ng sweldo.

Matindi ang OFW – Matindi ang pinoy. Matindi pa sa daga, o cockroaches which survived the cataclysmic evolution. Maraming sakripisyo pero walang makitang tangible solutions or consequences.

Malas ng OFW, swerte ng pulitiko – Hindi umuupo ang OFW para magbigay ng autograph o interbyuhin ng media (unless nakidnap!). Madalas nasa sidelines lang ang OFW. Kapag umaalis, malungkot and on the verge of tears. Kapag dumadating, swerte ‘pag may sundo( madalas meron). Kapag naubos na ang ipon, wala ng kamag-anak.

Sana sikat ang OFW para may boses sa Kamara. Ang swerte ng mga politiko nakaupo sila at ginagastusan ng pera ng Filipino. Hindi nga sila naiinitan o napapaso ng langis, o napagagalitan ng amo, o kumakain ng paksiw para makatipid, o nakatira sa compound with conditions less than favorable, o nakikisama sa ibang lahi para mabuhay. Ang swerte, sobrang swerte nila.

Matatag ang OFW – Matatag ang OFW, mas matatag pa sa sundalo o kung ano pang grupo na alam nyo. Magaling sa reverse psychology, negotiations at counter-attacks. Tatagal ba ang OFW? Tatagal pa kasi hindi pa natin alam kailan magbabago ang Philippines , kailan nga kaya, o may tsansa pa ba?

Masarap isipin na kasama mo ang pamilya mo araw-araw. Nakikita mo mga anak mong lumalaki at naaalagaan nang maayos. Masarap kumain ng sitaw, ng bagoong, lechon, inihaw na isda, taba ng talangka. Masarap manood ng pelikulang Pinoy, luma man o bago. Iba pa rin ang pakiramdam kung kilala mo ang kapitbahay mo. Iba pa rin sa Philippines, iba pa rin kapag Pinoy ang kasama mo (except ‘pag utak-talangka) , iba pa rin ‘pag nagkukwento ka at naiintindihan ng iba ang sinasabi mo. Iba pa rin ang tunog ng "mahal kita!", "day, ginahigugma tika." “Mingaw na ko nimo ba, kalagot!", " Inday, diin ka na subong haw? ganahan guid ko simo ba". Iba pa rin talaga -- “aprusam man ti likod ko baket.”

Sige lang, tiis lang, saan ba’t darating din ang pag-asa.

 Andoy's Story

Huwag Umasa Sa Swerte Lang –

                     A New Year’s Message
 
We are about to usher in another year of challenges after a very trying 2008.  We Filipinos are a hopeful race.  Kahit ano pa ang sitwasyon natin sa buhay, karamihan sa atin ay umaasa ng mas masaganang buhay sa darating na bagong taon.  Kaya naman gaya ng nakagawian, bago sumapit ang bagong taon, busy tayo sa paghahanda, hindi lang ng pang media noche, kundi pati na rin ng pampaswerte.
 
Here are some of the things that Pinoys do or observe each New Year; nagdadala raw kasi ang mga ito ng swerte!
 
- pagkakaroon sa mesa ng isang dosenang klaseng prutas na bilog
- pagsusuot ng kulay na pulang damit (o ibang kulay depende sa zodiac sign mo)
- pagpapaputok pagsapit ng alas dose
- pag-iingay pagdating ng hatinggabi
- pagsusuot ng damit na may polka dots
- pagsusuot ng damit na may stripes (coins lang daw kasi pag dots)
- pagsusulat sa wish paper na sinusunog pag dating ng alas-dose
- pagtalon pagsapit ng alas-dose (swerte sa mga bansot, pero kung 30+ ka na wag nang umasa)
- dapat malinis ang bahay pag pasok ng bagong taon
- pagpapagupit bago sumapit ang bagong taon
- pagbubukas ng pintuan at bintana pag dating ng hatinggabi (wag kalimutang isara baka manakawan)
 
There’s really nothing wrong with these, especially if it’s done in the spirit of fun or in keeping with a family tradition.  Wala naman talagang mawawala.  (Well, mababawasan ang pera mo lalo na kung ugali mong magpa-fireworks tuwing New Year.)  Pero wag naman sana na hanggang dito na lang tayo; na iaasa na lang sa swerte ang kasaganaan natin.  Aanhin mo ang pampaswerte kung buong taon naman ay tatamad-tamad ka?
 
What will improve your family’s economic condition are the right attitude, discipline, sipag at tiyaga. If you are employed strive to do your job better and always produce quality work.  You can also ask for more challenging tasks or additional responsibilities, especially yung mga inaayawan ng iba.  Kapag nalaman ng mga bosing mo na magaling ka, maari kang mapromote o mabigyan ng salary increase. (Maari ka ring makahanap ng mas magandang trabaho, kung di pinapansin ng mga bosing ang mga ginagawa mo).  If you operate your own business, run it more efficiently, learn more about your target market and your competition, develop new & innovative products and services, and be more attuned to your target consumers’ needs.  Do what’s necessary to improve your bottom line.
 
Whether you are an employee, an entrepreneur or both, strive to improve your skills and enhance your knowledge so you can become good at what you do.  Attend seminars, read books, scour the internet, attend fairs, expos and conferences.  Marami kang pwedeng matutunan na hindi kailangang magbayad ng mahal.  Don’t forget to learn about proper money management.  Walang saysay ang malaking kita kung ito’y nauubos lang din sa walang kwentang gastos.   Finally, don’t stop at learning.  Acquiring knowledge and improving your skills are a waste of time if you don’t apply them.  Gamitin mo ang mga natutunan para mapaganda ang takbo ng trabaho o negosyo at mapaangat ang antas ng buhay ng pamilya.
 
Maraming salamat at maging mapayapa, masaya at masagana nawa ang inyong Bagong Taon!

Sa pagsalubong sa Bagong Taon

 12 COMMANDMENTS PARA LIGTAS SA PAGPAPUTOK

Taun-taon ay hindi nagbabago ang paalala ng pamahalaan subalit taun-taon din ay marami pa rin ang na­giging biktima ng mga paputok at sa pinakahuling datos ng DOH ay pabata nang pabata ang mga nagiging biktima nito na 10-anyos pababa.

Ang payo sa mga magulang, bantayan ang kanilang mga anak. Sa mga matatanda naman na makulit at tila hindi kumpleto ang pagsalubong sa Bagong Taon kapag hindi gumamit ng paputok sa paniwalang nakatataboy ito ng malas, narito ang payo ng DOH: 12 commandments para sa Ligtas na paggamit ng mga paputok.

1. Huwag hawakan ang paputok habang ito ay sinisindihan at kung maaari ay gumamit ng mahabang patpat upang hindi direktang mahawakan ang paputok.

2. Gumamit lamang ng maliliit at hindi ng malalakas at mapanganib na uri ng mga paputok.

3. Magsindi lamang ng paputok nang isa-isa at hindi sabay-sabay.

4. Magsindi ng paputok sa labas, malayo sa mga kabahayan o sa mga madaling masunog na bagay.

5. Sa mga magulang, bantayan ang mga anak at huwag payagan na maglaro at magsindi ng anumang uri ng paputok.

6. Ang mga kabataan na papayagan na magpaputok ay kailangang may bantay ng mga nakakatanda.

7. Huwag babaguhin, eeksperimentuhin o ia-alter ang mga paputok.

8. Huwag magpupulot o tangkain na sindihan pa ang isang nasindihan nang paputok kahit pa hindi pumutok. Basain ito at itapon sa basurahan para hindi mapulot ng mga bata.

9. Huwag babaluktutin ang mga pyrotechnic devices gaya ng mga ground displays tulad ng fountains o crying cows bago ito sindihan.

10. Siguruhing kung magsisindi ng paputok ay malayo ito sa tao.

11. Huwag magsisindi o gagamit ng paputok kung nasa impluwensya ng alak.

12. Huwag papayagan ang mga anak na maglaro o magsindi ng watusi dahil nakalalason ito at nakamamatay.

PASKONG PINOY

(I found this article in my inbox without mentioning the author. Maybe the intention is to post it in our website and be read around especially this time of the year. It's nice reading including an almost similar article posted last year, Christmas in the Philippines)

The archipelago of 7,107 islands doting the Pacific Ocean, known as the Philippine Islands, covers 115,830 square miles making them twice the size of the state of A r k a n s a s . This land is blessed with natural marvels. Its g r e a t e s t attraction is the people, t h e Filipinos, known as the f r i e n d l i e s t people in the world. The most intriguing customs and traditions are found here. There are 111 different cultures and 110 ethnic or racial groups found here with 89 different tribal languages spoken, and
yet the warmth and hospitality of the "Filipinos" are known throughout the world.

"Paskong Pinoy" - The Philippine Christmas is the longest and happiest in the whole world. Nothing quite like it can found anywhere else that matches the rituals which are unique and magical. The strains of traditional Christmas carols and local songs start as soon as the "ber" months begin. The first recorded Christmas Mass celebrated on December 25th was celebrated in Pangasinan circa 1286-1331 200 years before Magellan, the Portuguese navigator, discovered the Philippines on March 16, 1521. He was slain six weeks later on April 27th 1521. It was Magellan who gave a gift of a statue of the Holy Child or "Santo Nino" to Juana, the wife of the native King Humabon. Juana became a devotee of the Santo Nino, known to millions up to this day for the many miracles . Magellan, h o w e v e r , did not live long enough to see Christmas celebrated in the Philippines.

"Misa de Gallo" the official Christmas L i t u r g y starts with house to house caroling on December 16th and continues for nine consecutive days to December 25th. These nine days is the time for church groups and others to raise funds. Houses selected will donate money and sometimes when the carolers are known to the family, a nice marinade "snacks" is served after the caroling. It is also known as the "Mass of the Rooster" scheduled at cocks crow which relates to the farmers worshiping at dawn before they start their work. This tradition calls for sacrifice by rising early in the morning to attend mass in church. Worshipers brave the chilly morning and after Mass is over they treat each other to fragrant native delicacies of "bibingka" (ground rice batter poured into a clay ceramic pot and cooked on charcoal with an aluminum container placed on top of the batter and under it). Also, "Puto Bumbong" (cooked in a bamboo tube) served with native teas of ginger root or pandan leaves. The young men and women enjoy moments of sneaky flirtations even amidst their vigilant chaperones. In the dark old days where electricity was non-existent the "parol" or lantern served the purpose of guiding the early risers to church. These lanterns made of Japanese paper glued to star-shaped bamboo frames have been modified into many fancy designs, shapes and sizes that adorn many homes and businesses.

The "Belen" - The symbol of Nativity completes the spirit of Christmas more than the traditional American Christmas Tree does, which was first lighted in 1912 in Antipolo, Rizal. The Belen portrays characters both noble Kings and humble peasants in adoration of the Holy Child Jesus.

"Misa de Aguinaldo" - The gift mass is celebrated at midnight of Christmas Eve. It is almost mandatory for all Filipinos to gather together to adore the Christ Jesus in the manger. They return home afterwards to partake in a time-honored tradition of "Noche Buena" exotic or plain menus cooked with love and care. Queso de bola (similar to Gouda Cheese), jamon (ham), relleno (stuffed beef or chicken), roast turkey, chestnuts and fruit cake or pancit (sautéed noodles), fried chicken, macaroni, hot dogs or lugaw (chicken rice soup) and a variety of fresh fruits. This is the most important meal of the year!

Children's Christmas Day. Kids don their best holiday attires and set out early in the day to visit their Godparents for regalos (gifts) and money. Godparents prepare stacks of coins to hand out to their godchildren and their companions after they show their respect by the traditional kissing on the
back of the godparents' hand, this charming gesture is call "Mano Po". Here all are remembered with a gift, even the bill collectors.

"Sagrada de Familia" - A Nationwide celebration for every Catholic family. The Philippine population being 84% Catholic and 16% others honor the Christian family on the first Sunday after Christmas. December 28th is Holy Innocents' Day, similar to the western April Fool's Day. Kids are allowed to do harmless pranks and everyone is cautioned not to lend money.

"Rizal Day" - December 30th, Dr. Rizal fought for freedom and paid a high price with his life by facing a firing squad in 1896, the only bleak day celebrated during the holiday season.

"Media Noche". Ushers in the New Year with loud bangs of fireworks; sounds of cymbals, drums and cans strung on ropes and dragged down the streets along with the sounds of horns, sirens and bamboo canons. Midnight Mass is endangered by exploding firecrackers. Some people prefer to stay at home and revel with the midnight meal of lechon (whole pig roasted in charcoal), pancit and bubbly champagne and again plenty of fruits and singing of "Auld Lang Syne".

"Pasko ng Matatanda" - Christmas of the elderly, the Epiphany, the three Kings or Tres Reyes is celebrated on January 6th. The Holiday honors the senior citizens, admired and respected for their age and wisdom. The celebration does not really end at this time. The Chinese New Year lurks around the corner. Not until Ash Wednesday does the Christmas spirit start to wane. While some Christmas decorations are still hanging, they will eventually be stored away, some not until March or April. Some traditions will not take the Christmas tree down until after the Feast of the Three Kings.

The Philippine Christmas tree is grown locally, known as api-api. The home of the Christmas lanterns is Pangasinan. Their Christmas trees are cut branches of Taro trees. The Palawan parrot sits atop Philippine Christmas trees. The first Philippine-made Christmas cards appeared in 1955. The first
Philippine Christmas stamp was issued on December 1, 1967. The world's biggest collection of 350 Nativity scenes is owned by Gigi Abaya Carlos in Manila. Her exhibit starts September 1st each year.

Makati enjoys the reputation of "The City of Lights as Roxas Boulevard transforms into a fairyland carnival of multicolored lights. Christmas light displays on the Manila Hotel, Coca Cola Company, San Miguel and Caltex all located in Manila, Philippines is always the best. The Philippines ranks as the world's 5th largest exporter of Christmas decorations and supplies.

Now, heed these strange cautions of folks around the country.

In northern Samar, whisper from 12 midnight of December 24th to 2am so as not to wake the Child in the manger. In Busuanga, Sorsogon, don't take a bath on December 25th so as not to wash away your blessings. Stout Capizenos stretch in bed on Christmas morning to grow taller. In Antique, don't swat a fly on December 25th this brings bad luck. In Bulan, Sorsogon, catch the first raindrops from midnight December 24th to the 25th will bring miraculous healing. In Cabigtian, Bohol a baby born on Christmas Day will bring good luck. In Capiz and Iloilo, rising very early on Christmas Day will attract wealth. In Leon, Iloilo, give children anything they want on December 25th or God will get angry with you. (Bet this was a Child's idea). Some Tagalogs (from the provinces of Bulacan, Bataan, and Quezon etc.) believe that counting money over and over from midnight of December 31^st until a few minutes into the New Year will bring a prosperous year.

And so we end with the Tagalog greeting:  

"Maligayang Pasko at Masaganang Bagong Taon"

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!

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Christmas in the Philippines  

(Thanks to Mando Lacar for sharing this very timely article)
 

SIMBANG GABI is one of the longest and most popular among the Filipino traditions in the country. It is when Catholic churches across the nation start to open their doors shortly before the break of dawn to welcome the faithful to the Simbang Gabi mass.
Simbang Gabi or Mass at Dawn is a nine-day novena to the Blessed Mother. The novena begins December 16 as early as 4 in the morning and culminates with the "Misa de Gallo" on Christmas Eve to welcome the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. In some churches, the panuluyan is reenacted showing the effort of Joseph and Mary to find a suitable birthplace.
 
ORIGIN
Simbang Gabi traces its roots in Mexico when, in 1587, the Pope granted the petition of Fray Diego de Soria, prior of the convent of San Agustin Acolman, to hold Christmas mass outdoors because the Church could not accommodate the huge number of people attending the evening mass.
 
During the old times, the pre-dawn mass is announced by the ringing of the church bells. In some rural areas, an hour before the start of Simbang Gabi, a brass band plays Christmas music all over the town. It is also believed that parish priests would go far knocking on doors to wake and gather the faithful to attend the misa de gallo. Farmers as well as fishermen wake up early to hear the Gospel before going to their work and ask for the grace of good harvest.
 
SIMBANG GABI NOW AND THEN
The changing of times does not break the preservation of celebrating Simbang Gabi although it is celebrated in new ways. Still, the tradition of Simbang Gabi continues. Part of it are the colorful lights and lanterns that fill every streets. Beautiful parols are hung in every window. Songs of the season are played everywhere to warm the hearts. Families, friends and even individuals find its way going to the nearest church to attend the nine-day novena. Shortly after the misa de gallo, families gather in their homes to celebrate Noche Buena and feasted on various delicacies like queso de bola, bibingka, puto bungbong, or a drink of salabat or hot chocolate.
 
SIGNIFICANCE
Simbang Gabi has become one of the most popular traditions in the country. But it is not just a tradition that is celebrated because we need to do so.
It is a significant moment not only because it strengthens relationships among family members but also because it is the time where our faith is intensified. This is the time where we mostly feel the presence of the Lord because it is the spiritual preparation for Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ.
It does not matter if one has the stamina to complete the novena or not, what really matters is what is inside the heart. The blessing does not depend on the number of mass attended, but what is important is the disposition of the person who receives the Lord’s blessing.
 
Misa de Gallo (Dec. 16-24)
Traditionally, Christmas Day in the Philippines is ushered in by the nine-day dawn masses that start on December 16. Known as the Misa de Gallo (Rooster's
Mass) in the traditional Spanish, and these masses are also more popularly known in Filipino as Simbang Gabi, or "Night Mass". The Simbang Gabi is the most important Filipino Christmas tradition.
 
These nine dawn Masses are also considered as a Novena by the Catholic and Aglipayan faithfuls. This refers to the Roman Catholic and Aglipayan practice of performing nine days of private or public devotion to obtain special graces.
 
In some parishes, the Simbang gabi begins as early as four in the morning. Going to mass this early for nine consecutive days is meant to show the churchgoer's devotion to his faith and heighten anticipation for the Nativity of the Lord. In traditional Filipino belief, however, completing the novena is also supposed to mean that God would grant the devotee's special wish or favor.
 
After hearing Mass, Filipino families partake of traditional Philippine Christmas delicacies, either during breakfast at home or immediately outside the church, where they are sold. Vendors offer a wealth of native delicacies, including bibingka (rice flour and egg based cake, cooked using coals on top and under), puto bumbong (a purple sticky rice delicacy which is steamed in bamboo tubes, with brown sugar and coconut shavings as condiments), salabat (hot ginger tea) and tsokolate (thick Spanish cocoa).

Christmas Eve
For Filipinos, Christmas Eve on ("Disperas ng Pasko") December 24 is the much-anticipated Noche Buena -- the traditional Christmas Eve feast after the midnight mass. Family members dine together around 12 midnight on traditional Noche Buena fare, which includes: queso de bola (Span. literally "ball of cheese"; edam cheese), "Tsokolate" (hot chocolate drink) and hamon (Christmas ham), and some would open presents at this time.
 
In different provinces and schools throughout the Philippines , Catholic devotees also reenact the journey of Joseph and the pregnant Blessed Virgin Mary in search of lodging for the soon-to-be born Jesus Christ. This is the traditional Panunuluyan, also called Pananawagan and Pananapatan.
 
This street pageant is performed after dark on Christmas Eve, with the actors portraying Joseph and Mary going to pre-designated houses. They chant wika wika bang bang, a traditional folksong that is meant to wake up the owner of the house as the actors ask for lodging. But the couple (actors) are turned away by the owners, also through a song. Finally, Joseph and Mary make their way to the parish church where a simulated manger has been set up. The birth of Jesus is celebrated at midnight with the Misa de Gallo, together with hallelujahs and Christmas carols.
Everybody celebrates this tradition happily yet solemnly.
 
 
Christmas Day
Christmas Day in The Philippines is primarily a family affair. Prior to the ticking of 12 midnight on 25 December, Misa de Aguinaldo is being celebrated. It is usually attended by the whole family. Misa de Aguinaldo is the Holy Mass celebrated to signify the Birth of Jesus Christ, the Roman Catholic Church and Philippine Independent Church (Aglipayan) in the Philippines ' main means of celebrating Jesus Christ's birth.
 
Misa de Aguinaldo is also celebrated at dawn or in the morning immediately after sunrise before 10 AM, this schedule is preferred by Filipinos who choose to celebrate Christmas Eve with a night-long celebration of Noche Buena.
 
Preferably in the morning, Filipino families visit members of the extended family, notably the elders in order to pay their respect. This custom has been an age-old tradition in the Philippines called Pagmamano, this is done by touching one's forehead to the elder's hand saying Mano Po. The elder then blesses the person who paid respect. Aguinaldo or money in the form of crisp, fresh-from-the-bank bills is given after the Pagmamano, most usually to younger children.
 
A Christmas Lunch usually follows after the Pagmamano.
The lunch is heavily dependent upon the finances of the family. Rich families tend to prepare grand and glorious feasts that consist of Jamon de Bola, Queso de Bola, Lechon and other Filipino delicacies. Some poor families choose to cook simple meals, nevertheless still special. When the family is settled after the lunch, the exchange of gifts is usually done. Godparents are expected to give gifts or Aguinaldo to their godchildren.
 
When nightime falls, members of the family usually take part in family talks while listening to favorite Christmas carols. Some may opt to have a glorious Christmas feast for dinner.