All Saints and Souls Day Tradition

November 1 and 2 are dates that I looked forward to growing up. These are two days full of traditions.

I grew up with the tradition of going to the cemetery during this time of the year. We have two public cemeteries in our town. One in the hill and one in the plains. Every November first we go to the cemetery in the hills. We bring flowers and candles to be placed at my great grand parents grave. We attend mass there. We do the same thing on the second day only it will be in the cemetery in the plains. We also make sure that we have mass intentions for the repose of the souls of our loved ones.

On both days, almost every household in our town will make local delicacies like sticky rice in wrapped in banana, steamed rice cake and more which are supposed to be served after going to the cemetery.

After all these years, I still haven't forgotten the tradition of visiting the graves of our loved ones during All Saints Day and All Souls Day. Now that I can no longer celebrate it in Philippines, I make sure to send a little amount of money for the mass intentions, flowers and candles. I always make sure to visit the graves of my loved ones whenever we go home on vacation.

"Misa de Gallo" 2010

Any moment now, in Philippines, Misa de Gallo starts. I am nostalgic. As far as I can remember, our family never missed Misa de Gallo especially the first day. Rain or no rain, we always attend morning masses.

Misa de Gallo, popularly known to Filipinos as the Simbang Gabi. These masses are the most important of all Filipino Christmas traditions because they signify the coming birth of the Messiah.

These nine dawn Masses, usually starting at four o'clock in the morning, are considered a novena by the Catholic and Aglipayan faithful. Going to mass this early for nine consecutive days is meant to show the churchgoer's devotion to his faith and to heighten anticipation for the Nativity of the Lord. A traditional Filipino belief, however, is that those who complete the novena will have a special wish or favor granted by God.

I miss this day. I miss the hustle and bustle in our household to make sure that we won't be late. I miss the text messages of friends reminding you not to miss the first day of the dawn mass. I miss the long lines of people buying "pandesal" after mass. I definitely miss Philippine Christmas!

Noche Buena or Media Noche?

Noche Buena and Media Noche... two of the most important happenings that I will always miss. I hope that when Andrea is old enough we can make it our family tradition too.

My nephew Giles wanted a change of our holiday arrangements. Usually we celebrate Christmas in our family home and New Year's will be at my sister Lita's home. Giles orchestrated a change because he said that he never remember celebrating Christmas in their home. Everything was planned and good to go until the last minute. My other niece (Langlang) was hospitalized due to dengue fever few days before Christmas so everything was cancelled. Giles was disappointed but no choice they can't party while other family members are in the hospital.

They celebrated New Year (media noche) at our family home. The exchanging of gifts which was supposed to be during Christmas was extended to New Year. They all had a blast. They have a wonderful celebration. The whole family were all there except for me, my sister Menmen who is in NJ and my brother Jojo who works as a seafarer. The only problem.... they didn't take pictures... I wish they will take pictures because they have digital camera and it will be great to see pics of them celebrating....

While my family is busy celebrating noche buena and media noche, in my end it was just an ordinary day. NO noche buena or media noche. We spent our Christmas day at Mom's opening gifts from Santa for Andrea... we shared dinner as a family. New Year was quite different. Dave has to work. I was with friends while Dave was working. We had fun preparing and eating Filipino foods. Dave picked us up before New Year strike and we went to Mom's for the countdown. We were together as family when the clocked strike New Year. We hug and kiss for the New Year... we didn't have champagne as all of us don't like it. It was a plain New Year celebration but it was special since we are a family celebrating it.

New Year's day we went to Mom's for a sumptuous dinner.....

My little chef... playing and cooking... she got many gifts from Santa last Christmas

With Love Wednesday....

October: Month of the Holy Rosary

The month of October each year is dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary. This is primarily due to the fact that the liturgical feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is celebrated annually on October 7. It was instituted to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary in gratitude for the protection that she gives the Church in answer to the praying of the Rosary by the faithful.

The feast was introduced by Pope St. Pius V (1504-1572) in the year 1571 to commemorate the miraculous victory of the Christian forces in the Battle of Lepanto on October 7, 1571. The pope attributed more to the "arms" of the Rosary than the power of cannons and the valor of the soldiers who fought there.

Legend tells us that the Rosary as a form of prayer was given to St. Dominic (1170- 1221) by Mary, the Mother of Our Lord, who entrusted it to him as an aid in the conflicts with the Albigensians. The Dominican pope, St. Pius V, did much to further the spread of the Rosary and it thereafter became one of the most popular devotions in Christendom. It was the same Pope St. Pius V, who in 1569 officially approved the Rosary in its present form with the Papal Bull, Consueverunt Romani Pontifices. It had been completed by the addition of the second half of the "Hail Mary" and the "Glory be to the Father" at the conclusion of each mystery.

Read more here...

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My mom is a very religious lady. Part of our family tradition is to pray the rosary together as a family the whole month of October. It is a family obligation for us. Even when we live in Manila, we always make sure that we pray the Rosary together during the Rosary month. I miss that and I miss the "aurora" where people will sing the rosary in different station (at dawn) and culminate it with a Mass and procession.

Happy 4th of July

Picture from History.com

Independence Day is a national holiday marked by patriotic displays. Similar to other summer-themed events, Independence Day celebrations often take place outdoors. Independence Day is a federal holiday, so all non-essential federal institutions (like the postal service and federal courts) are closed.

Families often celebrate Independence Day by hosting or attending a picnic or barbecue and take advantage of the day off and, in some years, long weekend to gather with relatives.

Let us all remember that, Independence Day is more than just a chance for family and friends throughout the country to gather for barbecues and fireworks displays, it is an annual celebration to commemorate the courage and faith of our founding fathers in their pursuit of liberty.

I am wishing all my friends and family a happy and safe celebration.

Happy 4th of July everyone!

Flores de Mayo

It is May 1 again and today starts the tradition of Flores de Mayo (Flowers of May). Growing up in a barrio where our Faith is the source of our strength, participating Flores de Mayo is a must for us at home. Nanang always enforced that we have to attend the Flores de Mayo every afternoon. Since May is vacation from school in the Philippines, we don't have anything to do during this whole month but to attend the Flores de Mayo. Flores de Mayo is also a tradition during Nanang's growing years. I remember her telling us how she attended this tradition until she got married.

Flores de Mayo is a tradition where there will be Novena and flower offering to Mama Mary. During Sundays, the Flores de Mayo will be within the Mass. During offertory, the offering of flowers will be done too. Oh i miss it!

I just talk to my sister last night, and her kids are attending flores de mayo. I am proud of them!

Salubong or Hugos

It is Easter. One of the most awaited day of my life as a kid. We always look forward to this day because of Salubong ( Hugos in our own dialect). My grandmother's sister Mommy Loling, is the one that organizes the salubong as long as I can remember. A traditional and religious old lady. For few Sundays before Easter we practice to sing the songs. If you are not a good soloist, you will belong to the group that sings in chorale. The chorale group are the angels. You see during this day we will be wearing costume like angels. And yes with wings. Of course, since I am not a good singer myself, I belong to Angels. As angel you will line up and sing " Mga bulak pangalimyon, kay nabuhi si Jesus" The song was like that... it has more verses of course... While singing the song we will be showering cut flowers. This was the fun part. During black Saturday we were so busy climbing the kalachuchi trees to pick up flowers and cut it. We will look for Ilang-ilang flowers since they smell so good. and we will pick up something like "hambubuena" anything that has good smell. We mixed them all and put in a little plastic bag and that is what we will bring during the salubong or hugos.

A fun memory that I always remember during this event was during Black Saturday Night we will be spending the night at Mommy Loling. All the participants of the salubong or hugos will spend the night at her house. Of course, kids our age are so excited to be sleeping with friends in a different house and yes we will have dinner together... and we will eat rice and egg! Eating rice and egg during those times was a treat!

Even when I became a grown up already, I still look forward to the salubong. It is a tradition. And by the way, salubong is usually around 4am!

It's Christmas!

There is nothing that can compare to Filipino Christmas. A very festive event which everybody is looking forward to.

I woke up today, thinking how fun it would be if I was in the Philippines. I would have been one of the many churchgoers that attends the Midnight Mass. The mass that would end around 1am Christmas Day. After the mass, everybody is greeting everybody. Phonecalls and text messages are endless. And what else is best but the endless gathering around food. Endless chatter while eating then around 4am or 5am when all is full and tired, everybody goes to bed then wake up in few hours to celebrate more.

Christmas day, carollers are everywhere. Even the kids would sing carols house to house. Neighbors would invite you to have a taste of their celebrations. It is just a very festive day.

This year though, I don't think it would be really festive in our house at home. Joy's body still lies at home. The funeral will be tomorrow. This will be the last Christmas that they will see Joy. But I know, in spirit she will always be a part of the family.

Merry Christmas to all my family back home. I couldn't wait to see you all again!

It's Tatay's Birthday!

My dad celebrates his birthday today. Most of the time, dad's birthday has always a party just for the family mainly because it is the day after the All Saints and All Souls Days where all the family members will come home to our family house.

Dad's birthday is always a memorable day for me because since we always make sure to be home for these days, this is the time that I have to put up our Christmas tree. Yes even this early, we are anticipating for Christmas season already.

For the past few years, they always have roast pig for dad's birthday but I doubt this year that they will have one because all of them are busy. Mom and one of my siblings who will accompany her will be leaving for Cebu tomorrow for Mom's eye operation the next day.

They may not have a party for dad for his birthday but I am sure they all had fun when they were all together.

Happy Birthday Tay. Praying for good health and more years that way we will be able to see each other again. We love you.

All Saints Day and All Souls Day

Philippines today celebrates the All Saints Day. Tomorrow will be the All Souls Day. This is the time of the year that people remembers the dead. This is when commonly we visit the cemetery and bring flowers and lights candle to the grave of our beloved. This is also the time where we have mass intentions for the repose of the souls of our beloved.

In Hanopol where I grew up we have two Catholic Cemetery. Every All Saints Day there will be a Mass in the Cemetery located in the hills in Cogon, a mass in honor of all the souls especially those who were buried in that cemetery.

Last time I attended a mass there, I remember how hard it was climbing those steps going to the top of the mountain and how hot it was. Usually, during this day, we always have our lunch at Sylvia and Pony's residence (since they live near).

During All Souls Day the mass will be at the other cemetery the one in the lower grounds. This is where my Grandparents grave is located.

After the mass, the priest and lay ministers will bless the graves in the whole cemetery.

This two-day celebration is called Undas in Tagalog, Kalag-kalag in visayan. When I was young I remember more houses serves snacks like rice cake, sweet rice (biko), suman (sweet rice in banana leaves) and a lot of filipino delicacies but over the years the food celebration thinned out maybe because of economy. Most of the time though, the filipino delicacies is substituted with bread and softdrinks.... easier for sure!

The food celebration may have thinned out but the real spirit of remembering our dead is still existent and that is more important.

For the souls of our dearly departed, may they rest in peace.

Andrea's First Halloween!

Dave has been on vacation since yesterday. That means we will have time to bring Andrea to her Nana's and celebrate her first halloween and of course her first trick and treat.

I am glad it was not very cold today. I was able to dress up Andrea as a Fairy Witch. I admit the outfit looks really pretty on her. Hahah perhaps I am just being a Mom praising her own baby. We did go to two houses for trick and treating today and then we went to Dave's office to help Payton and then we went grocery shopping and rent movies.

It was a wonderful day for all of us. Andrea was in her best of moods. She didn't even have a long nap today but she was enjoying the day. Perhaps she enjoyed her outfit and her favorite hat!

For being such a wonderful baby all day, Andrea deserved a treat! We gave her GRAPES... sorry no candies... the candies are for mommy!

Getting ready for her First Halloween

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With Linda, Andrea first treak and treat

Second House

Fellow trick and treater

Shopping @ Publix

Halloween

In the town where I live, Halloween does not exist! In the bigger city, where supermarket and shopping malls are rampant, Halloween is existing. Stores sells halloween customes too but it is not as big as it is here in USA.

I remember when I was working as cashier in a supermarket, my first ever job in Manila that when it is October 31, one of the casual (temporary) employee would dress up as messenger of death and of course it would scare all the kids. The messenger of death will gave candies of which only few kids would go near him. That was the closest celebration of halloween that I can remember.

This is my second halloween here in USA. Last year I was invited by some of my filipino friends to go trick and treating but I did not go with them because I was pregnant then. Today, it is Andrea's first halloween. We will dress her up but no going around for trick and treating because it is cold and she has ear infection.

My funny thoughts, I think that's why there is no halloween celeb in Philippines because we don't have the same pumpkins that we have here and about trick and treating, most people in the philippines couldn't afford the candy bars (which by the way we called chocolates).

Happy Halloween everyone! Enjoy the trick and treating with this cold weather.

Jerome (my younger brother) is Getting Married

After all the traditional asking of the hands and talks about the upcoming wedding, decision is now made. Jerome and her fiancee Brenda is getting married on January 10, 2009.

Common Marriage Traditions/Practices
When two people decides to get married, it is imperative that the guy will ask the parents of the girl for her hands. He will formally tell the girl's parents on his intention on getting married with their daughter. After the asking of the hand, the guy's family will then go to the girl's family and talk about the wedding, the date, the place, the reception, and most especially the expenses. Usually, the guy's family will shoulder all the expenses of the wedding. But in recent years, some families shares the expenses or the girls family will have shares on certain expenses.

Wedding in the Philippines, especially in a rural areas like ours is really a grand celebration. This is usually a two day feast, the day before the wedding and the wedding day. Food and wine are served endlessly. People do come and go. Family, friends and neighbors will help prepare the area for reception, the church decorations, flower arrangements for the wedding entourage and everything that needs to be done before the BIG DAY and in return you have to feed them. There are also a lot of people that will help you on preparing the meal (i.e slaughtering, cleaning, cutting and cooking). This happens both in the house of the bride and groom to be. So basically, there is two feasts going on. The reason being is that after the wedding the general reception will be at the bride's residence but after the reception the bride will leave her family and stay in the groom's family. When the groom comes home, some of the bride's family and relatives will accompany her to the grooms residence and somehow see to it that the bride is accepted by the groom's family. And of course, there should be food to be partaken. After this, the bride's family will go home and the bride will stay with the groom.

End of the big feast. Start of headache for the groom's family on how to pay all those expenses.

(Jerome and Brenda) Wedding Plans
With the economic crisis today, both families decided that the wedding will be held in the city. Reception will be in the restaurant. With this scenario, visitors are limited. Less expenses for the wedding.

In lieu of the wedding reception, Brenda's family will host a thanksgiving party where all her relatives, friends and neighbors can participate in the feast. Our family will give them 150kgs of live pig, several cases of softdrinks and sack of rice. Jerome will also do the same. They will also have a thanksgiving party in our house.

With the thanksgiving party, it is a practical idea because you will only have one meal to serve the guests unlike the 2 day wedding reception where you will be serving breakfast, lunch and dinner to the guests for 2 days.

My Thoughts
I am in favor of their decision. It is practical. I don't want them to borrow money just to have a grand wedding celebration (which is always the case in Filipino Weddings). Our whole family also agree that it is not good to start a new life with debts/loans.

When my older brother and sister got married, I was busy with the wedding preparations. Mottiff, Entourage, Invitations, Flowers, Receptions and everything! This I think is the one I will miss the most!

Rosary Month

It is October again and it is a rosary month.

My mom is really a religious person. I guess she was influenced by her old folks. I always remember my grandmother and her sisters waking up as early as 4am to say the rosary. Growing up, it was not very pleasing to us kids to be woke up at early morning to say the rosary. In fact, whenever we are woke up to say the rosary we all get mad and ended up sleeping halfway.

I guess my parents know that the 4am rosary was not working so we ended up praying the rosary before dinner time. As kids, we are obliged to be at home at 6:00pm. Every 6:00 PM the bell in our church will ring for Angelus prayer that is our cue that wherever and whatever we are doing, we should go inside the house and pray the Angelus and rosary.

When we all got older and leading our own lives, Mom doesn't require us anymore to be home at 6pm. But Mom never fails to pray the rosary everyday still, although the time varies now. Most of the times, she will wake up at 4-5am to pray the rosary.

October is different though. It is somewhat our tradition, to pray the rosary together. Even when we were no longer living with Mom, during October we always find time to sit together and pray the rosary.

I hope to do my share of our rosary tradition this year. I know last year I missed a couple of times. I wish also that I will be even as half as mom's faith and religiousity.