The longer I live over here the longer I realize it can be a waste of time to ask why? Especially when it comes to the driving around this place! One of the main roads we travel on daily is called Commonwealth, or as the locals like to call it "the highway of death". It is a large 20+ lane road (10 heading each direction) that has cars, motorcycles, jeepneys, large buses swerving in and out of traffic like they were bicycles, and of course pedistrians. You have to be very aware of what is going on around you all the time. It's not just called the highway of death for no reason, people actually do die on that road! (Tragically, a pastor and his wife were just killed in an accident on this road.)
As we drive along, sometimes the flow of traffic comes to a hault because of some "improvement" the are doing to the road. Like digging a hole in the middle of 10 lanes so that they can repair pipes that run underneath the road. Buses and cars are roaring by and swerving around the digging. It is maddening! Most recently, for some reason un-beknownist to us, the local gov't decided to make more "improvements" to Commonwealth by taking 8 of the 20 lanes (4 on each side) to build large concrete U-turn lanes. They are only providing 2 u-turn lanes but are using 4 physical "lanes" (not that we have lanes anyway, there are no lines on the road) to do it in! They need the new u-turn lanes wide enough for the turning radius of the jeepneys. So what do you get when you take 10 lanes of traffic and force them down to 6? Alot of people asking why! What in the world are they thinking? Traffic used to flow nicely but now is a log jam!! But you know what? No matter how much I ask why or rant and rave about it, they are moving forward with their "improvments". Not a thing I can do about it so I ask myself why ask why? Might as well embrace it, praise the Lord and just keep driving!
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Hey Joe
Well it has been a long time hasn't it? Sorry to keep you all anxiously awaiting the rivoting posts from Manila. So without further delay, here ya go.
Remember G.I. Joe? According to Wikpedia, it stands for "General Issue Joe". It signified "the universal makeup of the US forces at the time." Well as I am told, the term has stuck around since the World Wars. With the heavy US Armed Forces present here in the Philippines, the term began to be associated with "white-faces" (or westerners which were mostly American at the time). Still to this day foriegn guys in the Philippines get called Joe!
Just the other day, I was walking along and I got many "hey joe"s thrown at me. "Hey Joe, do you want some DVD's?" "Hey Joe, how are you?" "Hey Joe, what are you doing?" "Hey Joe, what's your name?" The term is not meant to be mean or derragatory, it is just something the locals use to talk to foriegners. (or at least that is what I am told). It does get old sometimes because my name is not JOE!!
One day while I was walking along in a more playful mood, I shot back, "Hey Juan, what's up? How you been?" It drew a lot of laughter from the onlookers! I guess being called Joe is just one of those things to accept about this place. At least it is one of the nicer terms that could be used to describe foriegners!!
Remember G.I. Joe? According to Wikpedia, it stands for "General Issue Joe". It signified "the universal makeup of the US forces at the time." Well as I am told, the term has stuck around since the World Wars. With the heavy US Armed Forces present here in the Philippines, the term began to be associated with "white-faces" (or westerners which were mostly American at the time). Still to this day foriegn guys in the Philippines get called Joe!
Just the other day, I was walking along and I got many "hey joe"s thrown at me. "Hey Joe, do you want some DVD's?" "Hey Joe, how are you?" "Hey Joe, what are you doing?" "Hey Joe, what's your name?" The term is not meant to be mean or derragatory, it is just something the locals use to talk to foriegners. (or at least that is what I am told). It does get old sometimes because my name is not JOE!!
One day while I was walking along in a more playful mood, I shot back, "Hey Juan, what's up? How you been?" It drew a lot of laughter from the onlookers! I guess being called Joe is just one of those things to accept about this place. At least it is one of the nicer terms that could be used to describe foriegners!!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Religion at it's Best (and Worst)
The Philippines is an amazingly religious place. There are many superstitions that fuel huge festivals. Just yesterday in fact, Jan 9th, there was a large festival called "The Feast of the Black Nazerene". Tragically, so much religious fervor cost 2 people their lives yesterday. Below is the story from a local newspaper. This serves as a reminder to me as to why people need to know and experience the freedom found in the Gospel of Jesus.
2 dead in Nazarene procession
By Evelyn Macairan and Nestor Etolle
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Two people died and 50 others were hurt in the mad scramble of tens of thousands of devotees jostling to touch the miraculous image of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila yesterday.
A devotee identified as Cecilia Fajardo, 54, a resident of Bacood, Sta. Mesa, suffered a fatal heart attack while Alex Radovan, 44, of Sampaloc district, also died from cardiac arrest as they jostled with the huge throng of devotees trying to get near the religious image during the procession.
A number of children were among those hurt, crushed by the crowd inching towards the carriage as the image of the Nazarene was paraded in the streets of Quiapo district.
Authorities estimated at least 2 million devotees turned up for the eight-hour procession that began at 1:30 p.m.
Some 50,000 initially gathered around Quiapo Church and Plaza Miranda. Some devotees even spent the night at the Quiapo underpass while others lined up along Carriedo Street and Quezon Boulevard.
Though a hundred policemen were deployed to pull the carriage from the church, they failed to control the sea of devotees pushing against each other, arms outstretched, to get closer to the statue.
Devotees believe their prayers and wishes will be granted by simply touching the life-size wooden figure.
Brought by Spanish missionaries from Mexico in 1606, the figure of the Black Nazarene is believed to hold mystical powers that can wash away sins or cure illnesses.
The missionaries’ ship caught fire and the image was burned but survived as a testament to a unique brand of Catholicism that combines folk superstitions in Asia’s most populous Christian nation.
Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, who led a dawn Mass at the Quiapo Church, said this year’s Black Nazarene celebration personifies “taking up one’s crosses and trials in life in imitation of Christ.”
As the statue of the Nazarene crawled through crammed streets with predominantly menfolk pulling on a rope, many hurled towels or handkerchiefs to be wiped on the image.
Police said Fajardo and Radovan were already unconscious when they were retrieved by rescuers, suggesting that they might have been trampled during the mad rush to get near the statue during the procession.
Radovan’s wife Marivic, however, told paramedics that her husband had a heart ailment and could have collapsed due to suffocation.
Most of the injured suffered high blood pressure, chest pains and wounded feet, according to Sta. Cruz-Quiapo police station commander Superintendent Romulo Sapitula.
“The crowd is uncontrollable. Everyone wants to touch the image and the carriage. Some even brought along small children,” Sapitula said.
Leticia Jiandani of the Manila government’s Fire Emergency Paramedic Assistance Group-Emergency Medical Technician (FEPAG-EMT) said most of those injured complained of difficulty in breathing, foot injuries, hypertension, dizziness due to hunger, fatigue and cramps.
Most of the devotees who walked barefoot suffered puncture wounds caused by broken glass, barbecue sticks and sharp stones, she said.
Sapitula, on the other hand, claimed there were no reports of petty crimes during the procession.
“Though we received reports of losses of belongings, it could not be attributed to theft or robbery. Some people simply dropped their cellphones unwittingly,” Sapitula said.
Sapitula noted a sharp increase of devotees this year, compared to last year’s 400th anniversary procession.
“This year, as early as 4 a.m. there were already people at the Quiapo Church. It’s like we were not running out of people here, unlike before when the Black Nazarene leaves the church and starts the procession, most of the people will leave but yesterday, a lot of people were still left behind,” he said.
Church officials earlier warned devotees to observe order and discipline to avoid accidents.
Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim ordered the MPD to deploy policemen to escort the image.
Although a number of policemen and volunteers acted as buffers, they proved no match for the surging devotees.
Sapitula said they were unable to implement the plan since the policemen were overwhelmed by the sheer number of devotees grabbing the rope to pull the carriage.
Rogello Estacio, 43, said he used to faint as a young boy and doctors could not help him.
“So what my mother did was to come here to Quiapo and eventually she became a devotee. My ailment disappeared. When I grew up I eventually became a devotee, too,” he said.
One of the few women in the crowd, 62-year-old Mercedita David, said she used to climb atop the carriage carrying the statue when she was younger and stronger.
Now, she said, “just to get a glimpse is good enough for me.”
David said the “grace of the holy Nazarene” has kept tragedies away from her family.
The crowd eagerly awaited Vice President Noli de Castro, one of its famous devotees.
A look-alike emerged and he was cheered by the throng of devotees waiting for the Black Nazarene statue to emerge from the church.
The real de Castro came unannounced and fulfilled his religious vow by joining the procession.
De Castro said he did not ask for religious blessing for his political plans but only for divine signs if he should push through for 2010.
“No. There was nothing political in my prayer when I grabbed the rope in pulling the carriage of the Black Nazarene,” De Castro said.
“Even when I ran for senator and Vice President, I did not ask for the blessing,” he said.
De Castro said he only wished for good legacy, good health and peace of mind for the rest of the year.
De Castro’s devotion to the Black Nazarene started during his college years when he would attend Mass at Quiapo Church after classes at the University of the East on nearby C.M. Recto Avenue. - With Pia Lee-Brago, Edu Punay, AP
2 dead in Nazarene procession
By Evelyn Macairan and Nestor Etolle
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Two people died and 50 others were hurt in the mad scramble of tens of thousands of devotees jostling to touch the miraculous image of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila yesterday.
A devotee identified as Cecilia Fajardo, 54, a resident of Bacood, Sta. Mesa, suffered a fatal heart attack while Alex Radovan, 44, of Sampaloc district, also died from cardiac arrest as they jostled with the huge throng of devotees trying to get near the religious image during the procession.
A number of children were among those hurt, crushed by the crowd inching towards the carriage as the image of the Nazarene was paraded in the streets of Quiapo district.
Authorities estimated at least 2 million devotees turned up for the eight-hour procession that began at 1:30 p.m.
Some 50,000 initially gathered around Quiapo Church and Plaza Miranda. Some devotees even spent the night at the Quiapo underpass while others lined up along Carriedo Street and Quezon Boulevard.
Though a hundred policemen were deployed to pull the carriage from the church, they failed to control the sea of devotees pushing against each other, arms outstretched, to get closer to the statue.
Devotees believe their prayers and wishes will be granted by simply touching the life-size wooden figure.
Brought by Spanish missionaries from Mexico in 1606, the figure of the Black Nazarene is believed to hold mystical powers that can wash away sins or cure illnesses.
The missionaries’ ship caught fire and the image was burned but survived as a testament to a unique brand of Catholicism that combines folk superstitions in Asia’s most populous Christian nation.
Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, who led a dawn Mass at the Quiapo Church, said this year’s Black Nazarene celebration personifies “taking up one’s crosses and trials in life in imitation of Christ.”
As the statue of the Nazarene crawled through crammed streets with predominantly menfolk pulling on a rope, many hurled towels or handkerchiefs to be wiped on the image.
Police said Fajardo and Radovan were already unconscious when they were retrieved by rescuers, suggesting that they might have been trampled during the mad rush to get near the statue during the procession.
Radovan’s wife Marivic, however, told paramedics that her husband had a heart ailment and could have collapsed due to suffocation.
Most of the injured suffered high blood pressure, chest pains and wounded feet, according to Sta. Cruz-Quiapo police station commander Superintendent Romulo Sapitula.
“The crowd is uncontrollable. Everyone wants to touch the image and the carriage. Some even brought along small children,” Sapitula said.
Leticia Jiandani of the Manila government’s Fire Emergency Paramedic Assistance Group-Emergency Medical Technician (FEPAG-EMT) said most of those injured complained of difficulty in breathing, foot injuries, hypertension, dizziness due to hunger, fatigue and cramps.
Most of the devotees who walked barefoot suffered puncture wounds caused by broken glass, barbecue sticks and sharp stones, she said.
Sapitula, on the other hand, claimed there were no reports of petty crimes during the procession.
“Though we received reports of losses of belongings, it could not be attributed to theft or robbery. Some people simply dropped their cellphones unwittingly,” Sapitula said.
Sapitula noted a sharp increase of devotees this year, compared to last year’s 400th anniversary procession.
“This year, as early as 4 a.m. there were already people at the Quiapo Church. It’s like we were not running out of people here, unlike before when the Black Nazarene leaves the church and starts the procession, most of the people will leave but yesterday, a lot of people were still left behind,” he said.
Church officials earlier warned devotees to observe order and discipline to avoid accidents.
Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim ordered the MPD to deploy policemen to escort the image.
Although a number of policemen and volunteers acted as buffers, they proved no match for the surging devotees.
Sapitula said they were unable to implement the plan since the policemen were overwhelmed by the sheer number of devotees grabbing the rope to pull the carriage.
Rogello Estacio, 43, said he used to faint as a young boy and doctors could not help him.
“So what my mother did was to come here to Quiapo and eventually she became a devotee. My ailment disappeared. When I grew up I eventually became a devotee, too,” he said.
One of the few women in the crowd, 62-year-old Mercedita David, said she used to climb atop the carriage carrying the statue when she was younger and stronger.
Now, she said, “just to get a glimpse is good enough for me.”
David said the “grace of the holy Nazarene” has kept tragedies away from her family.
The crowd eagerly awaited Vice President Noli de Castro, one of its famous devotees.
A look-alike emerged and he was cheered by the throng of devotees waiting for the Black Nazarene statue to emerge from the church.
The real de Castro came unannounced and fulfilled his religious vow by joining the procession.
De Castro said he did not ask for religious blessing for his political plans but only for divine signs if he should push through for 2010.
“No. There was nothing political in my prayer when I grabbed the rope in pulling the carriage of the Black Nazarene,” De Castro said.
“Even when I ran for senator and Vice President, I did not ask for the blessing,” he said.
De Castro said he only wished for good legacy, good health and peace of mind for the rest of the year.
De Castro’s devotion to the Black Nazarene started during his college years when he would attend Mass at Quiapo Church after classes at the University of the East on nearby C.M. Recto Avenue. - With Pia Lee-Brago, Edu Punay, AP
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
More MSG please!
Happy New Year everyone! Hope your was as special as ours! I just thought I would start the year with a little comment on food here in da Philippines. There are actually a ton of fresh things you can get to eat here. Hundreds of kinds of fresh fish, fresh fruits you have never heard of and more kinds of rice than you knew exisited. There are tons of neat little snack items that you can get that are packaged locally too. HOWEVER, eater beware!! For some reason, Philippinos think you have to put MSG in everything. I mean I can not even find just plain old nuts of any kind without it being soaked in MSG. "Contents: peanuts, palm oil, MSG" Why?? I just want the nuts!! You can even buy bags of MSG! Not just small bags either. They are at least 1 kilo each (that is 2.2 lbs for you non-international folks) It is sold next to the sugar! It is almost impossible to avoid it. Maybe they should just make it into a drink too? If you are allergic to the stuff I hope you like fish and rice!
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Fireworks
From the Philstar.com newspaper.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?New%20year%20Web%20Specials&p=69&type=2&sec=150&aid=200712243
Starting the New Year with a bang
By Joseph Nacino
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
No big event is truly celebrated in the Philippines without fireworks. And given the Chinese heritage of Filipinos, the start of the New Year is met with fireworks display to scare away the bad spirits of the past year.
Lighting the match
Filipinos know their paputok: ranging from the small watusi, rebentador, piccolo and kwitis to the medium-sized five-star, lusis, triangulo, whistle bombs, fountains and bulalakaw to the big guns like Super Lolo, Super Pla Pla, Sinturon ni Judas (which has a thousand rounds of firecrackers), and the Jumbo Fountain.
The use of fireworks dates back to 12th century China, where they used to frighten away evil spirits with loud sound (bian pao) as well as call for happiness and prosperity.
In the Philippines, people start hearing firecracker explosions at the start of the “ber” months and leading to Christmas Day. However, it’s only the week after Christmas and leading to the New Year proper that the explosions start to come fast and furious. And in the last 30 minutes of the old year, the streets begin to clear—not only as people go to celebrate the year but also to keep safe—and the smoke begins to build up.
When the clock hits 12 midnight, the Philippines is almost like a war zone with firecrackers furiously raising the stakes in bigger, brighter, and louder explosions.
Beginning of the Big Bang
The Philippines has always had a long love affair with fireworks. And when one says fireworks, one always thinks of Bulacan, the birthplace of Filipino fireworks.
Fireworks in the country were first brought to the country by Chinese merchants in their trade with their Filipino counterparts. However, the Spanish used it in the Philippines when a parish priest in Sta Maria in Bulacan in 1897 used kwitis to call parishioners to Misa de Gallo.
The aforementioned priest taught a Filipino, Valentin Sta. Ana, the manufacture, use and handling of the fireworks, and he passed this knowledge on to his children, Valerio and Fernando. In 1938, the Sta. Ana brothers opened the first fireworks factory in the country called the Santa Ana Fireworks Factory, based in Balasing, Santa Maria, Bulacan.
After the Second World War, the two brothers went their separate ways; Fernando set up Victory Fireworks, which continues to manufacture fireworks up to the present. In fact, Fernando Sta. Ana is now considered the Philippines’ Father of Modern Fireworks and Pyrotechnics.
The diffusion of the knowledge in creating fireworks spread, such that fireworks factories spread throughout Bulacan, specifically Sta. Maria, Bocaue, Baliuag, Norzagaray and Angat. Later on, the manufacture also spread to Cavite and Laguna.
In 1966, a firecracker explosion hit Meycauayan City in Bulacan that killed 26 people and forced the legalization of the growing fireworks industry. The legalization helped in the improvement of safe processing and handling of fireworks.
But in 1972, in the shadow of Martial Law, the Marcos government once more made the fireworks industry illegal for fear that these would be used in rebellious activities. This forced the manufacture and sale of fireworks underground.
Legalizing the business
It was only after Congress passed Republic Act 7183 (the Firecrackers Law) in 1992, which regulated the sale, distribution and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices that the industry finally came to the fore.
According to the Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Dealers Association, Inc., there are currently 500 manufacturers of pyrotechnic products in Bulacan with most of them in the areas of Bocaue (its center of trade because of its location), Sta. Maria, Baliuag and other neighboring municipalities of the province.
It is the hope of the PPMDA that with the setting of the Pyrotechnics Regulatory Board and rules and guidelines, firecracker accidents (like in Meycauyan City) would be avoided as well as the protection of the industry from smuggled imported finished fireworks, illegal manufacturers and illegal firecrackers.
Start the year right
In the end, this means safety first for Filipinos celebrating the New Year. Though accidents are still expected given fireworks are involved, questions over quality will at least be assured and hopefully, no firecracker will explode in hands unexpectedly.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?New%20year%20Web%20Specials&p=69&type=2&sec=150&aid=200712243
Starting the New Year with a bang
By Joseph Nacino
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
No big event is truly celebrated in the Philippines without fireworks. And given the Chinese heritage of Filipinos, the start of the New Year is met with fireworks display to scare away the bad spirits of the past year.
Lighting the match
Filipinos know their paputok: ranging from the small watusi, rebentador, piccolo and kwitis to the medium-sized five-star, lusis, triangulo, whistle bombs, fountains and bulalakaw to the big guns like Super Lolo, Super Pla Pla, Sinturon ni Judas (which has a thousand rounds of firecrackers), and the Jumbo Fountain.
The use of fireworks dates back to 12th century China, where they used to frighten away evil spirits with loud sound (bian pao) as well as call for happiness and prosperity.
In the Philippines, people start hearing firecracker explosions at the start of the “ber” months and leading to Christmas Day. However, it’s only the week after Christmas and leading to the New Year proper that the explosions start to come fast and furious. And in the last 30 minutes of the old year, the streets begin to clear—not only as people go to celebrate the year but also to keep safe—and the smoke begins to build up.
When the clock hits 12 midnight, the Philippines is almost like a war zone with firecrackers furiously raising the stakes in bigger, brighter, and louder explosions.
Beginning of the Big Bang
The Philippines has always had a long love affair with fireworks. And when one says fireworks, one always thinks of Bulacan, the birthplace of Filipino fireworks.
Fireworks in the country were first brought to the country by Chinese merchants in their trade with their Filipino counterparts. However, the Spanish used it in the Philippines when a parish priest in Sta Maria in Bulacan in 1897 used kwitis to call parishioners to Misa de Gallo.
The aforementioned priest taught a Filipino, Valentin Sta. Ana, the manufacture, use and handling of the fireworks, and he passed this knowledge on to his children, Valerio and Fernando. In 1938, the Sta. Ana brothers opened the first fireworks factory in the country called the Santa Ana Fireworks Factory, based in Balasing, Santa Maria, Bulacan.
After the Second World War, the two brothers went their separate ways; Fernando set up Victory Fireworks, which continues to manufacture fireworks up to the present. In fact, Fernando Sta. Ana is now considered the Philippines’ Father of Modern Fireworks and Pyrotechnics.
The diffusion of the knowledge in creating fireworks spread, such that fireworks factories spread throughout Bulacan, specifically Sta. Maria, Bocaue, Baliuag, Norzagaray and Angat. Later on, the manufacture also spread to Cavite and Laguna.
In 1966, a firecracker explosion hit Meycauayan City in Bulacan that killed 26 people and forced the legalization of the growing fireworks industry. The legalization helped in the improvement of safe processing and handling of fireworks.
But in 1972, in the shadow of Martial Law, the Marcos government once more made the fireworks industry illegal for fear that these would be used in rebellious activities. This forced the manufacture and sale of fireworks underground.
Legalizing the business
It was only after Congress passed Republic Act 7183 (the Firecrackers Law) in 1992, which regulated the sale, distribution and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices that the industry finally came to the fore.
According to the Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Dealers Association, Inc., there are currently 500 manufacturers of pyrotechnic products in Bulacan with most of them in the areas of Bocaue (its center of trade because of its location), Sta. Maria, Baliuag and other neighboring municipalities of the province.
It is the hope of the PPMDA that with the setting of the Pyrotechnics Regulatory Board and rules and guidelines, firecracker accidents (like in Meycauyan City) would be avoided as well as the protection of the industry from smuggled imported finished fireworks, illegal manufacturers and illegal firecrackers.
Start the year right
In the end, this means safety first for Filipinos celebrating the New Year. Though accidents are still expected given fireworks are involved, questions over quality will at least be assured and hopefully, no firecracker will explode in hands unexpectedly.
Philippine New Year's Beliefs
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?New%20year%20Web%20Specials&p=69&type=2&sec=150&aid=200712244
Filipino Beliefs During the New Year
By Joseph Nacino
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
It is easy to take for granted that most of the Filipino New Year traditions stem from the Filipinos’ hope to have a year better than the previous one.
Whether based on Chinese beliefs, Filipino pamahiin, or plain superstition, Filipinos practice these traditions to bring them good luck and prosperity for the New Year. These include laying out coins on windowsills, wearing red or polka dots, and most especially, lighting of fireworks to scare away the bad spirits of the past year.
Whatever their source, it would seem that Filipinos will take whatever they can get to make sure the coming New Year grants them good fortune.
But what are these beliefs?
1. Ring out the old
Foremost is the use of firecrackers to celebrate the coming of the New Year, which stems from the Chinese influence in our country. The noise from the exploding firecrackers supposedly drives away the evil spirits of the previous year to make the coming year bountiful, ranging from the small watusi to the thunderous Super Lolo and Sinturon ni Judas.
However, this is not limited to the use of firecrackers. Filipino families use whatever noisemaker they have on hand—whether ringing bells, blowing on torotot, clanging on pots and pans, and even using car horns—to create the loudest clangor they can make.
2. Show me the money
Likewise, another belief that is prevalent during the countdown to the New Year is the symbolism of money: whether on you or inside your residence. People are advised to have coins and paper money in their pockets so that the next year will be prosperous. Moreover, coins should be laid out on windowsills of open windows so the luck that comes in is considered fortunate.
(Related to this, it is also advised that all windows and doors of the residences are kept open and lights are switched on so that the good graces will be able to come to your home as you welcome the New Year and freely come and go throughout the rooms).
There is also the Chinese belief that wearing polka-dotted shirts or dresses when the clock strikes midnight is considered very lucky for the whole year as the circles symbolize lots of money. Another is the idea that having 12 kinds of round fruit for the Media Noche feast is a sign of prosperity for the next twelve months. Having as much food as possible on the table also helps.
3. The straight and true path
However, welcoming the New Year is not always about the money. A number of beliefs are also about keeping or maintaining actions or deeds throughout the year.
For children, they’re advised to jump up and down at exactly when the New Year starts so they supposedly get taller for the next year. According to the belief, the higher you jump, the taller you grow.
Likewise, most people usually set resolutions for themselves for the New Year. However, there is the belief that if you’re doing a particular action when the New Year rolls around, you’ll be able to maintain it. In fact, this particular belief states that whatever you’re doing at exactly 12 o’clock midnight signifies the whole year for you.
Lastly, in reverse, most people pay off their debts before the New Year starts in the hope that they won’t be saddled with debt through the year.
4. Starting it anew
All in all, these beliefs that supposedly ensure good luck and prosperity also help Filipinos prepare for a new year by starting afresh. This means in a physical sense: getting a haircut, new shoes or clothes, and a full-larded refrigerator. But this also means in a mental sense and that whatever happens with the coming year, hopefully it will be all in a good way.
So whether you believe these beliefs and practices or not, it’s always good to start the New Year with hope.
Filipino Beliefs During the New Year
By Joseph Nacino
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
It is easy to take for granted that most of the Filipino New Year traditions stem from the Filipinos’ hope to have a year better than the previous one.
Whether based on Chinese beliefs, Filipino pamahiin, or plain superstition, Filipinos practice these traditions to bring them good luck and prosperity for the New Year. These include laying out coins on windowsills, wearing red or polka dots, and most especially, lighting of fireworks to scare away the bad spirits of the past year.
Whatever their source, it would seem that Filipinos will take whatever they can get to make sure the coming New Year grants them good fortune.
But what are these beliefs?
1. Ring out the old
Foremost is the use of firecrackers to celebrate the coming of the New Year, which stems from the Chinese influence in our country. The noise from the exploding firecrackers supposedly drives away the evil spirits of the previous year to make the coming year bountiful, ranging from the small watusi to the thunderous Super Lolo and Sinturon ni Judas.
However, this is not limited to the use of firecrackers. Filipino families use whatever noisemaker they have on hand—whether ringing bells, blowing on torotot, clanging on pots and pans, and even using car horns—to create the loudest clangor they can make.
2. Show me the money
Likewise, another belief that is prevalent during the countdown to the New Year is the symbolism of money: whether on you or inside your residence. People are advised to have coins and paper money in their pockets so that the next year will be prosperous. Moreover, coins should be laid out on windowsills of open windows so the luck that comes in is considered fortunate.
(Related to this, it is also advised that all windows and doors of the residences are kept open and lights are switched on so that the good graces will be able to come to your home as you welcome the New Year and freely come and go throughout the rooms).
There is also the Chinese belief that wearing polka-dotted shirts or dresses when the clock strikes midnight is considered very lucky for the whole year as the circles symbolize lots of money. Another is the idea that having 12 kinds of round fruit for the Media Noche feast is a sign of prosperity for the next twelve months. Having as much food as possible on the table also helps.
3. The straight and true path
However, welcoming the New Year is not always about the money. A number of beliefs are also about keeping or maintaining actions or deeds throughout the year.
For children, they’re advised to jump up and down at exactly when the New Year starts so they supposedly get taller for the next year. According to the belief, the higher you jump, the taller you grow.
Likewise, most people usually set resolutions for themselves for the New Year. However, there is the belief that if you’re doing a particular action when the New Year rolls around, you’ll be able to maintain it. In fact, this particular belief states that whatever you’re doing at exactly 12 o’clock midnight signifies the whole year for you.
Lastly, in reverse, most people pay off their debts before the New Year starts in the hope that they won’t be saddled with debt through the year.
4. Starting it anew
All in all, these beliefs that supposedly ensure good luck and prosperity also help Filipinos prepare for a new year by starting afresh. This means in a physical sense: getting a haircut, new shoes or clothes, and a full-larded refrigerator. But this also means in a mental sense and that whatever happens with the coming year, hopefully it will be all in a good way.
So whether you believe these beliefs and practices or not, it’s always good to start the New Year with hope.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Merrry Christmas and a Smokey New Year!
Hey Merry Christmas! We finally made it to our first Christmas in the Philippines. The "Ber" months (September, October, November, December) were up and down. If I never hear "I'll Be Home for Christmas" again, it will be too soon. We actually had a relaxing day while the kids played with their toys. The Metro Manila area is settling down as thousands of Manilenos leave to visit relatives in the province or to take a vacation from this crazy place. Driving around actually seems more "normal".
We are now into the weeks of fireworks leading up to New Year's. Each day for the past few weeks, more and more fireworks are set off until on New Year's Eve the firework battle begins. We've been told that the area begins to look like a battlefield with smoke so thick from the fireworks and guns that are fired into the air, that visibility drops to a few hundred yards and the air quality goes from bad to unbearable. The Filippinos really no how to celebrate. We hope you have enjoyed the 2007 Edition of our Blog. 2008 should bring additional stories and adventures from the Land of Fish and Rice! (a few videos of the kids singing at their Christmas plays are available at www.youtube.com/balutcritic (info on Balut is found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balut)
We are now into the weeks of fireworks leading up to New Year's. Each day for the past few weeks, more and more fireworks are set off until on New Year's Eve the firework battle begins. We've been told that the area begins to look like a battlefield with smoke so thick from the fireworks and guns that are fired into the air, that visibility drops to a few hundred yards and the air quality goes from bad to unbearable. The Filippinos really no how to celebrate. We hope you have enjoyed the 2007 Edition of our Blog. 2008 should bring additional stories and adventures from the Land of Fish and Rice! (a few videos of the kids singing at their Christmas plays are available at www.youtube.com/balutcritic (info on Balut is found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balut)
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