Christmas Day in The Philippines is primarily a family affair. Prior to the stroke of 12 midnight on the morning of December 25, the Misa de Aguinaldo is being celebrated. It is usually attended by the whole family. Misa de Aguinaldo is the Holy Mass to celebrate the birth of Jesus, 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 between immediately after sunrise and 10 a.m.; this schedule is preferred by Filipinos who choose to celebrate Christmas Eve with a night-long celebration of the Noche Buena.
Preferably in the morning, Filipino families visit members of the extended family, notably the elders in order to pay their respects. This custom of giving respect 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 has paid respect. "Aguinaldo", or money in the form of crisp, fresh-from-the-bank bills is given after the Pagmamano, mostly 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 nighttime 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.
St Joseph's, alumni usually see each other during the mass at St Joseph's church on 11pm of the 24th. The mass often becomes a mini reunion of sort.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Oceanside Reunion
The day begins like any other day, except that for a Batch 80 like me it is special. Today is the day that we've agreed to have a small reunion at Butch Paz house at Oceanside in honor of a visiting classmate, Jen Velarmino. The batch has been silent for a while, but the arrival of Jen triggered a flurry of activity. It started when Butch sent email to everyone asking who is interested in having a reunion to welcome her in his house. The batch responded by agreeing to have a potluck December 6 at 1 pm.
I was very excited to go because the last time I met my batch mates was in 2003. At that time I only got a few pictures coming from Butch camera, and this time I promised myself I will take all the pictures I could get and document the event. It also falls on the day of Pacquiao's fight and I can't wait to watch it there live (i do not have cable subscription), with my batch mates (how nice that could be), and that makes it even more exciting.
I arrived at 1:30 with my share of the potluck and a couple of camera's to record the event and then one at a time my batch mates came. So I met Bennette and Ces for the first time since high school graduation, not knowing that the 3 of us where in Los Angeles. Then Abdon came, since it is past 2 pm we agreed to start lunch (me and Butch started eating at 1:30). Then Elmer came followed by Susan and Jun bringing in the fresh lumpia together with Shirley. Again we started eating the lumpia and here comes Ron and Irma bringing in the wines and beer (we are improving, I don't even know what a wine look like back in high school).
The stories begun with Susan leading the pack. Then Noel showed up ridding his magnificent bike (i wish i know how to ride one). The fun and stories continued, we where just wondering where our guest of horor was. We called Jen and she said that she was on her way, they just passed Los Angeles (Jen came straight from San Jose up north, near San Francisco that day, a travel of almost 8 to 10 hrs) and that she will be arriving within the next 2 hours.
The batch continued with our stories. I was so excited to meet my classmates from 1R,2O and 3U days (Susan, Bennette and Shirley) talking about the old days. Jen finally showed up together with her fraternal brods at 5 pm. She looked very exhausted from the trip, but that did not stopped the excitement of meeting her classmates, "barkadas", and neighbors in highschool and gradeschool. Amber and Ofie showed up at 6:30 pm, (he came straight from work in Los Angles) bringing a whole new set of food, good for 50 people and a pail of "gulaman at sago" (and they were soooo good, i decided to eat again). So the stories and wine continued until it is time to watch the fight. Amber collected 5$ to start a pool, and guess who won? The guest of horor Jen in her striking red outfit! After the fight the Karaoke begins with Butch and Ron trading songs and the laughter and stories go on. At 8 pm Mike showed up also straight from work but refused to missed being with his classmates.
The feeling was so nice to see your old classmates again, and the stories never end. Stories of challenges that our batch mates overcame with flying colors (that as a member of the batch, it make you feel proud that you were given a chance to know them). Stories of success that I think should served as inspiration to a lot of people (only thing is, that it is our story and need not be published). Each one has a story to tell and before you know it, It is midnight. A few people started to leave but we still continued with our life's stories and singing our hearts' out (we were actually thankful that it is cold and all the doors and windows were closed or there might be cops knocking on the door). Ron invited everyone for a breakfast at his house if it reached 6 am and we're still there. We decided to call it quits at 2:30 am as each one was beginning to wear their eye bags (lower than necessary), although you would not noticed any tiredness as the stories continued.
We left with heavy hearts but planned to meet again once time permits. We also talked of plans for the future as batch 80 would be part of the organizers for 2010 reunion of SJS. At this time, Jen is still here and our batch mates in San Diego is planning another get together. I think we just do not want to let go of a good thing.
agpineda
I was very excited to go because the last time I met my batch mates was in 2003. At that time I only got a few pictures coming from Butch camera, and this time I promised myself I will take all the pictures I could get and document the event. It also falls on the day of Pacquiao's fight and I can't wait to watch it there live (i do not have cable subscription), with my batch mates (how nice that could be), and that makes it even more exciting.
I arrived at 1:30 with my share of the potluck and a couple of camera's to record the event and then one at a time my batch mates came. So I met Bennette and Ces for the first time since high school graduation, not knowing that the 3 of us where in Los Angeles. Then Abdon came, since it is past 2 pm we agreed to start lunch (me and Butch started eating at 1:30). Then Elmer came followed by Susan and Jun bringing in the fresh lumpia together with Shirley. Again we started eating the lumpia and here comes Ron and Irma bringing in the wines and beer (we are improving, I don't even know what a wine look like back in high school).
The stories begun with Susan leading the pack. Then Noel showed up ridding his magnificent bike (i wish i know how to ride one). The fun and stories continued, we where just wondering where our guest of horor was. We called Jen and she said that she was on her way, they just passed Los Angeles (Jen came straight from San Jose up north, near San Francisco that day, a travel of almost 8 to 10 hrs) and that she will be arriving within the next 2 hours.
The batch continued with our stories. I was so excited to meet my classmates from 1R,2O and 3U days (Susan, Bennette and Shirley) talking about the old days. Jen finally showed up together with her fraternal brods at 5 pm. She looked very exhausted from the trip, but that did not stopped the excitement of meeting her classmates, "barkadas", and neighbors in highschool and gradeschool. Amber and Ofie showed up at 6:30 pm, (he came straight from work in Los Angles) bringing a whole new set of food, good for 50 people and a pail of "gulaman at sago" (and they were soooo good, i decided to eat again). So the stories and wine continued until it is time to watch the fight. Amber collected 5$ to start a pool, and guess who won? The guest of horor Jen in her striking red outfit! After the fight the Karaoke begins with Butch and Ron trading songs and the laughter and stories go on. At 8 pm Mike showed up also straight from work but refused to missed being with his classmates.
The feeling was so nice to see your old classmates again, and the stories never end. Stories of challenges that our batch mates overcame with flying colors (that as a member of the batch, it make you feel proud that you were given a chance to know them). Stories of success that I think should served as inspiration to a lot of people (only thing is, that it is our story and need not be published). Each one has a story to tell and before you know it, It is midnight. A few people started to leave but we still continued with our life's stories and singing our hearts' out (we were actually thankful that it is cold and all the doors and windows were closed or there might be cops knocking on the door). Ron invited everyone for a breakfast at his house if it reached 6 am and we're still there. We decided to call it quits at 2:30 am as each one was beginning to wear their eye bags (lower than necessary), although you would not noticed any tiredness as the stories continued.
We left with heavy hearts but planned to meet again once time permits. We also talked of plans for the future as batch 80 would be part of the organizers for 2010 reunion of SJS. At this time, Jen is still here and our batch mates in San Diego is planning another get together. I think we just do not want to let go of a good thing.
agpineda
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Christmas Eve
For Filipinos, Christmas Eve ("Bisperas ng Pasko") on December 24th has 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 (Spanish: "ball of cheese"; this is actually edam cheese), "Tsokolate" (a hot chocolate drink) and jamon (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.
Naalala ko pa ang simbang gabi sa St Joseph, madalas ay na uuwi sa daldalan dahil nagki-kita kita ang mga mag ka-kaklase. Kasabay ng misa ang kamustahan at chikahan. Pagkatapos ay uuwi at kainan na.
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.
Naalala ko pa ang simbang gabi sa St Joseph, madalas ay na uuwi sa daldalan dahil nagki-kita kita ang mga mag ka-kaklase. Kasabay ng misa ang kamustahan at chikahan. Pagkatapos ay uuwi at kainan na.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Oceanside Reunion 2008: Chairmans' Note
Dear Batchmates,
Everyone is quiet, trying to recover from Saturday's get together..Maraming salamat sa mga umattend ng potluck, it was a pleasurable evening and it's really good to see everyone again, it's been a while since our last gathering.
I especially want to thank Jen for spending time with us, hindi ka pa rin nagbabago, mabeauty pa rin and still kalog just like I remember you way back when..
Alex thank you for bringing your high tech gadgets to capture the moments, your officially the Director of video and photography, thanks again.
Also, besides a lot of catching up, eating, singing and watching the fight, we talked about the upcoming SJS (U.S.) annual reunion in 2010, batch 80 is going to be one of the sponsors for that year. We elected a group of people that will lead us for that event,
namely:
For President - Abdon Pugal + Co Chair
We have 3 Vice Presidents
For San Diego - Susan Caluza
For L.A. - Alex Pineda
For the North - Vic Tisuela
For Secretary - Cecilyn
For Treasurer - Shirley
Ambassador to Batch 80 PI - Jen
Also in attendance:
Elmer
Noel
Michael
Bennette
Amber with wife Ofie
Jun Caluza and Susan, Ron with Irma and Jaron
Butch with Rose, Sean and Stephanie
Each region has a point of contact, for better communication.
Kung meron kayong question, please e-mail and stay tune.
Happy Holidays!
Butch
Everyone is quiet, trying to recover from Saturday's get together..Maraming salamat sa mga umattend ng potluck, it was a pleasurable evening and it's really good to see everyone again, it's been a while since our last gathering.
I especially want to thank Jen for spending time with us, hindi ka pa rin nagbabago, mabeauty pa rin and still kalog just like I remember you way back when..
Alex thank you for bringing your high tech gadgets to capture the moments, your officially the Director of video and photography, thanks again.
Also, besides a lot of catching up, eating, singing and watching the fight, we talked about the upcoming SJS (U.S.) annual reunion in 2010, batch 80 is going to be one of the sponsors for that year. We elected a group of people that will lead us for that event,
namely:
For President - Abdon Pugal + Co Chair
We have 3 Vice Presidents
For San Diego - Susan Caluza
For L.A. - Alex Pineda
For the North - Vic Tisuela
For Secretary - Cecilyn
For Treasurer - Shirley
Ambassador to Batch 80 PI - Jen
Also in attendance:
Elmer
Noel
Michael
Bennette
Amber with wife Ofie
Jun Caluza and Susan, Ron with Irma and Jaron
Butch with Rose, Sean and Stephanie
Each region has a point of contact, for better communication.
Kung meron kayong question, please e-mail and stay tune.
Happy Holidays!
Butch
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