Today, New Year's Day, is the first regular holiday in the Philippines for 2013. This holiday was stipulated by Proclamation No. 459, which was signed by President Benigno S. Aquino III last August.
As many of us get ready to return to work tomorrow, we are encouraged to look forward to a more productive year than previous ones. Knowing that we will work hard, let us anticipate and enjoy the occasional holidays set in this proclamation:
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Monday, December 31, 2012
Coins to Ensure a Wealthy New Year
As we prepare for the coming of 2013, many of us have probably prepared coins to be thrown inside the home to bring wealth to the household. Many Filipinos also believe that coins, along with paper money, should be jingled inside the pocket as the clock strikes midnight to ensure good luck. Here are some of the coins I have to welcome the New Year.
Fruits for a Fruitful New Year
Filipinos celebrate the coming of the New Year by filling their tables with food for the media noche or midnight meal. It is recommended that there are 12 different round fruits to represent prosperity in each of the coming year's 12 months.
When it comes to completing the fruit list, we practice flexibility in quantity - the number 12 may be exceeded. Following is a picture of the fruits we served on a bilao and a clay tray.
When it comes to completing the fruit list, we practice flexibility in quantity - the number 12 may be exceeded. Following is a picture of the fruits we served on a bilao and a clay tray.
Toy Guns to Welcome the New Year
A few hours from now we will welcome 2013. Noisemaking and revelry is a traditional part of Filipinos' celebration with the belief that the noises would scare evil spirits away. With this in mind, the New Year will be started auspiciously.
Considering the damage brought by firecrackers, it is suggested to use horns or play loud music. In our household, we have toy guns that will produce noise loud enough to contribute to the auditory blast.
The plastic toy gun at the left portion of the picture is labelled "KG-9 PERFORMANCE COMBAT AMMO." Marketed as a "realistic sound blaster," actuating the trigger will produce a "loud rata-tat." On the other hand, the wooden toy gun at the right portion of the picture probably figured in many Filipinos' childhood memories. The protruding portion near the butt is cranked to generate the characteristic sound.
Considering the damage brought by firecrackers, it is suggested to use horns or play loud music. In our household, we have toy guns that will produce noise loud enough to contribute to the auditory blast.
The plastic toy gun at the left portion of the picture is labelled "KG-9 PERFORMANCE COMBAT AMMO." Marketed as a "realistic sound blaster," actuating the trigger will produce a "loud rata-tat." On the other hand, the wooden toy gun at the right portion of the picture probably figured in many Filipinos' childhood memories. The protruding portion near the butt is cranked to generate the characteristic sound.
Monday, December 24, 2012
Christmas Countdown: "Belen"
Today, Christmas Eve, I share with you the belen (creche) or Nativity Scene. The belen is a diorama depicting the birth of Jesus as narrated in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Main characters include the infant Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and the Three Wise Men. Some versions of the belen feature real humans and animals.
The Philippine city of Tarlac, home of the "Belenismo sa Tarlac" festival is known as the "Belen Capital" of the country." The festival features a belen-making competition, while giant versions of the belen are on display in many parts of the city for the Christmas season.
Following are pictures of versions of the belen, taken somewhere in Bulacan and at the ABS-CBN compound in Quezon City:
The Philippine city of Tarlac, home of the "Belenismo sa Tarlac" festival is known as the "Belen Capital" of the country." The festival features a belen-making competition, while giant versions of the belen are on display in many parts of the city for the Christmas season.
Following are pictures of versions of the belen, taken somewhere in Bulacan and at the ABS-CBN compound in Quezon City:
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Christmas Countdown: Gift-giving
"And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh."
- Matthew 2:11, King James Version
Now that there are three days to go before Christmas, people might be reminded of the Three Wise Men presenting gifts to the child Jesus Christ. Gift-giving is a tradition practiced by billions, including Filipinos, around the world during the Christmas season.
One of the reasons stores get high sales volumes during the season is that people buy items to be given to family and friends. As time went by, the practice is said to have imparted a materialistic tinge to festivities. It is our choice to dwell on the spirit of giving. The gift does not need to be tangible nor expensive. We can make the gift of love, kindness, and goodwill towards other people.
- Matthew 2:11, King James Version
Now that there are three days to go before Christmas, people might be reminded of the Three Wise Men presenting gifts to the child Jesus Christ. Gift-giving is a tradition practiced by billions, including Filipinos, around the world during the Christmas season.
One of the reasons stores get high sales volumes during the season is that people buy items to be given to family and friends. As time went by, the practice is said to have imparted a materialistic tinge to festivities. It is our choice to dwell on the spirit of giving. The gift does not need to be tangible nor expensive. We can make the gift of love, kindness, and goodwill towards other people.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Christmas Countdown: Mall Decorations
There are three days remaining before Christmas, and there is high probability that malls everywhere in the Philippines are fully packed with shoppers. With the hustle and bustle, I am wondering whether the shoppers take the time to enjoy the Christmas decorations in the malls.
Due to the thankfully busy schedule at work, I was able to visit only the TriNoma (Triangle North of Manila) shopping center in Quezon city. Following are pictures of the decorations at the fourth floor:
Due to the thankfully busy schedule at work, I was able to visit only the TriNoma (Triangle North of Manila) shopping center in Quezon city. Following are pictures of the decorations at the fourth floor:
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