Common New Year Beliefs

We Filipinos are accustomed to different "pamahiin" or elderly beliefs, be it our own or adapted from our neighboring nations, or the influence of other countries, especially those who colonized us before.  An occasion like the New Year, isn't exempted even in my family.  Although we don't really talk about it that much, we respect each others belief as long as no one gets to any trouble believing it, it's fine with us.  Well, I'll be sharing with you some of it.

Taking a bath.  Yup, there are just people too lazy of taking even a short shower during the cooler months.  But not this day my friend,  wash away your misfortunes along with all your dirt so you'll have a clean start in the first day of the year and leave all your bad lucks in the past year.  But if you still think that nothing had change, look again, at least now you're clean. 

Making noise.  Believed to be driving away bad spirits and unwanted aura or elements.  Even if we are a firecracker free city, there's just a lot of things that can be used around in making noise.  And you need not teach the kids how to make them.  beeeeep... tooooottt... waaaaahhh...  claaang... booogg... hahahaa... But how do we know that the spirits are affected by such noise?  Oh well, at least we have fun doing it, and no one complains this time.

Wearing polka dots.  Circles represent coins or money, and wearing them is believed to give the person good inflow of money throughout the year.  Well, in that case, I'll be wearing rectangles instead or have a shirt printed with money of huge denominations.  Who knows, it'll work.  But if it doesn't, cheer up, its not everyday you can wear your favorite polka dots shirt... the long wait is finally over.

Putting coins in your pocket.  So that it won't be empty towards the year.  Then you give them away after, by tossing the coins to the air while the kids pick them up for themselves.  The sound of the coins are also good luck, and so as sharing your blessings to them, good karma.  For that, I won't be recommending bills here, unless of course you're prepared in giving it away.  And the bills don't make any sound, unless they are in bundle.  If that happens, count me in... I'm joining the fun...

Preparing and eating sweet sticky foods. That if you have something sweet and sticky in your "media noche", good things stick along with it.  But just a friendly reminder, especially to other places were firecrackers are allowed... sticky foods, hands and firecrackers, is not a very wise combination.

Rounded fruits.  Another thing that represents money is the rounded shape fruits.  I'm not quite sure if it's the number of kinds of rounded fruits or is it okay even if you have just one or two kinds as long as you have plenty of them. Anyway, whatever the case maybe here, no one is more happier than the seller of these overpriced fruits for the New Year.

Jumping high.  They say, the higher you jump, the taller you'll get.  But genes don't lie.  Probability of 99.99% you'll get your parents height and with proper health, might be more taller than them.  But hey, while you are in midair, you'll see others a little bit shorter than you are, even for a moment.  And it's fun to jump with others, right?  Then again, I believe miracles do happen.   

A lot of people may say that there's really no logical connection in doing these beliefs to getting the wanted result.   And the only way in getting these things is by working really hard (for material wealth) and having good and balance intake of foods (for growth and health).  But, there are still mysterious things happening in these world that even science cannot explain.  And I don't mind a little belief with some hope and a lot of prayers, if it could give a person a kick start to begin his year.  More, it's quite fun looking and/or joining the kids jumping none stop and scrambling for coins and just having some silly moments, than being so prim and proper for such jolly occasion.  Happy 2013 everyone and may Yahweh bless each day according to what we need most.  

Having A Touching Moment

Last Sunday, I had to wake up early to attend a parents' recollection as a requisite since my daughter will about to have her "First Communion".  Honestly, I was hesitant to attend it at first thinking it would just be reminding us parents as to the concerns of our child's activity... but I was wrong, the program was really intended for the parents.

The speaker stressed that seldom does the husband attend such activity, so a parent and I became the focus of attention for awhile... and I'm not really comfortable with that.  Then what I feared happened, I was called in front to share my concerns and personal experiences with my family... Now guys, I may express myself quite good in writing, but impromptu speaking... the worst.  But having not brought my escape shuttle nor perfected my disappearing magic (lol), I had to force myself to stand and I went in front.  Then I just shared the topic we parents were discussing before the start of the program (am I glad I was listening and having that conversation with them).  I told them, how concerned I am hearing about this kidnapping incidents in our place and worse, they take away the organs of their victims and sell them (though not confirmed but still very alarming)...  so, I asked them, to be extra cautious of their children.  If, this is really true, I personally condemn this soulless act and may Yahweh have mercy not only to the soul of these kidnappers but also to people who directly or indirectly participate in this malpractice.  And this does not exclude the family of the recipient of the organ... your family member might live, but to the expense of taking away somebody's life especially that of a beloved child... is but awful and unthinkable.  My only request, please verify the organ donor... There is NOTHING valuable than a child's life... even if what stature in life they are living... may they be street vendors, garbage collectors, beggars... YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO TAKE AWAY THEIR LIVES... AND WHAT MADE YOU THINK YOU CAN PAY FOR IT.

My apologies, sometimes I just get carried away... I just can't help thinking that people would come up to such unthinkable ideas... I just hope and pray that this is just a pure hearsay.

To continue, there were a lot of significant learning and shared information during the duration of the half day activity.  But, what touched me the most, was the sharing of 2 grandmothers.  It was a parent recollection, then why were they there?  The first shared that she was the one already taking care of her 4 grandchildren, their parents were separated and already have their own lives.  She was teary when she told us, that though they (when her husband was still living) may give their children their love and care... still nothing can compare the shine they see in their grandchildren eyes seeing their parents together... so, she advised us to take good care of our marriages and told us how important having a complete and united family.

The second grandmother shared her disappointment to her daughter and the son of their family friend, when they broke her trust for an untimely pregnancy.  To her anger, she explicitly told her family, that they better get a babysitter, for never would she take care of the child.  But never did she expect, that as the child grow, the child would show her love and care... and even showed her concern like asking her if she was tired and volunteering to apply ointment an massage her back to relieve the pain.  She finally cried when she shared to us that she was told by her grandchild that if her mother would ever marry another man, the child would stay with her.  Never did she expect that her hatred for her grandchild would be vanished by the child's unconditional love for her.  And so, she told us in forgiving, you must also learn to forget and let go.

Then, as Christian Catholics, we were reminded of our faith and our obligation, to Yahweh... to our church... to our family... and to our fellowmen.  To become priests and communicate with Him regularly... To become kings and give help to our fellowmen especially those in need... And to become prophets and spread His words, teachings and good news.  They also told us the importance of the upcoming important event in our child's life... that is receiving Jesus as the bread of life for the first time... with them knowing the importance and significance of this holy sacrament to our faith.

A day I thought to be ordinary turned to be a fruitful and lesson-filled one.  Truly, He gives purpose to everything and He finds way to make us all spread His teachings... directly or indirectly... knowingly or unknowingly.  Then again, He reminds me that He has purpose to everything...  though we may sometimes do not understand, but only the Father knows what is BEST and Thy will be done.  That is my faith... Yahweh bless.