As what I'm always saying, Christmas is the time of family reunions where families gathers at their ancestral houses just to celebrate this special event with their loved ones. It is very important for the Filipinos to welc0ome the birthday of Jesus Christ. It's like Christmas will never be complete if we are away from them.
Last year (2010), I wasn't able to have Christmas with my family since I was in Manila that time. It was my aunts, uncles and cousins who are with me during the momentous event. I was there for a vacation. It was my first time to celebrate it there and away from my family. I would say, I really enjoyed being there during Christmas. It's just that I missed my family during that time. I'm not used to be away with my family especially during special occasions of ours. During that time, what I heard was only their voices talking to me over the phone which made my tears fall down from my eyes. With that, I would say that I am happy that time but celebrating Christmas without them makes me feel that there's something missing. What I need was there presence at that moment.
That was 2010 Christmas. Celebrating 2011 Christmas with family was one of the happiest day of my life. I must say, it happened for the first time as far as I remember. I am celebrating Christmas with my family plus relatives. It's kinda weird that it was for the first time even if our houses are just few kilometers away from. I always mentioned that I love family gatherings that's why I was so happy during that time. I couldn't explain my happiness. Our celebration was just simple. We just had Noche Buena at my late grandfather's house (mother side) after we went to Mass together. Simple yet unforgettable, these two words are what I could describe my Christmas. God Bless us all!!!
Monday, January 30, 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
My Preparation for Christmas Vacation!
Before Christmas came, we all had our own preparations and plans on how and where to celebrate it. Some just planned to have Christmas away from there homes to explore new things or extraordinary things. They would spend it abroad or in good places here in our country with their families or friends. Some also planned to go home to be reunited with their families and loved ones whom they were missed with.
Well, if you ask me, I would say, I will just spend my Christmas at home with my families and relatives. For me, it would be very exciting since being reunited with them is one of the things that could make me happy. When we say plan for Christmas, what comes to my mind is that celebrating it with families. Even if I see them everyday or every weekend, the best thing to celebrate the birth of Jesus is with them. Having Christmas with family could be consider precious and priceless. Also, when it comes to vacation, I usually bond with my cousins even if they are few years younger than me. I always let them feel that I loved them that's why they love me. Hehehehe. I also planned to spend time with my friends; my classmates in elementary which I usually do.
You may notice that in my plans, it deals with time. Time is priceless which you could give to your loved ones. It is more than the material things you could give them. It's the only thing that you can never get back. So, we have to spend it wisely with the people we love. God Bless!!!
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Experiencing Simbang Gabi
I'm used to Misa de Gallo. I've known since my childhold and got knowlegde about the world. Years ago, I always attended the nine-day novena but I never completed it. I attempted to complete it but I was being tempt by my sleep. It's like I can't carry myself to stand up. Hehehe. Maybe, it's satan's way of stopping me to go to church. :( . It is because, I hate waking up at dawn. I don't want my sleep to be disturbed. It's what I hated the most. It's okay with me to still wake until dawn but to be awake at dawn? NO WAY!!! It's the main reason why I never completed it.
But, last Simbang Gabi, I was able to complete it. I did my best to not get absent even once. What I did is sleep earlier at night so I wouldn't get yawn in church. It would be ashamed. hehehe. Night before the first day, I was very excited. I was very excited to complete it. I am excited to wish. For my first and second day, I attended the mass or novena in Maasin Cathedral since it was during school days. I went to church with my roommates. As we were on our way to church, it's so fun since we are many. And as we came there, we were amazed by the crowds. hundreds of people attended. What I can see most is families. It was really crowd that others just standing while the mass is going on since there were no sits available inside and out. It shows how religious Filipinos especially Maasinhons are.
During the start of mass, bishop blessed the new bell of the church with water and after that, they let it bell. the sound is good to hear. It's friendly for the ears. Hehehe. That was the first time it was used. Also, it was my first time to attend mass in the Cathedral during Simbang Gabi. As we went home after the mass, we went back to sleep. Hehehe.
The rest of the days is spent in my place. I went to church with my family. We woke up at 3:30 am in which alarm clocks awakes us. I insure to put the alarm clock beside me so I can really hear it. Hahaha. Simbang gabi is a spiritual preparation for the birth of Jesus. This is the way of requesting blessings as what most people believed that if one completed the whole series of nine-day novena or mass, her wish will be come true. My family teased me about my wish that made me complete the novena. Wanna know my wish? hmp. It's a big secret of mine. wish should not be told for it to be granted. This is what I heard from them.
After the mass, delicacies awaits the people. Unlike in cities that delicacies are sold, in my place, residents of our barangay were divided into ten committees. Each committee is assigned each day to bring delicacies for the church goer. Outside the church, in covered court area, tables and chairs were set for the people. After the mass, they just sit there immediately and eat together. Foods were served by the committee. Looking people; young and old, kids and parents, teens and citizens, eating together is really great. I found it amazing and fun. People during this time is reunited. It's like a really big whole family eating together.As we went home, we went back to sleep since it's still dark outside. I really congratulated myself because I made it to complete the nine mornings. Yahooooooooo. I hope my wish will be granted. Also, all your wishes will be come true also. God Bless us all!!!
But, last Simbang Gabi, I was able to complete it. I did my best to not get absent even once. What I did is sleep earlier at night so I wouldn't get yawn in church. It would be ashamed. hehehe. Night before the first day, I was very excited. I was very excited to complete it. I am excited to wish. For my first and second day, I attended the mass or novena in Maasin Cathedral since it was during school days. I went to church with my roommates. As we were on our way to church, it's so fun since we are many. And as we came there, we were amazed by the crowds. hundreds of people attended. What I can see most is families. It was really crowd that others just standing while the mass is going on since there were no sits available inside and out. It shows how religious Filipinos especially Maasinhons are.
During the start of mass, bishop blessed the new bell of the church with water and after that, they let it bell. the sound is good to hear. It's friendly for the ears. Hehehe. That was the first time it was used. Also, it was my first time to attend mass in the Cathedral during Simbang Gabi. As we went home after the mass, we went back to sleep. Hehehe.
The rest of the days is spent in my place. I went to church with my family. We woke up at 3:30 am in which alarm clocks awakes us. I insure to put the alarm clock beside me so I can really hear it. Hahaha. Simbang gabi is a spiritual preparation for the birth of Jesus. This is the way of requesting blessings as what most people believed that if one completed the whole series of nine-day novena or mass, her wish will be come true. My family teased me about my wish that made me complete the novena. Wanna know my wish? hmp. It's a big secret of mine. wish should not be told for it to be granted. This is what I heard from them.
After the mass, delicacies awaits the people. Unlike in cities that delicacies are sold, in my place, residents of our barangay were divided into ten committees. Each committee is assigned each day to bring delicacies for the church goer. Outside the church, in covered court area, tables and chairs were set for the people. After the mass, they just sit there immediately and eat together. Foods were served by the committee. Looking people; young and old, kids and parents, teens and citizens, eating together is really great. I found it amazing and fun. People during this time is reunited. It's like a really big whole family eating together.As we went home, we went back to sleep since it's still dark outside. I really congratulated myself because I made it to complete the nine mornings. Yahooooooooo. I hope my wish will be granted. Also, all your wishes will be come true also. God Bless us all!!!
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Misa de Gallo
Misa de Gallo is part of Filipino tradition. Here, we called it as Simbang Gabi. It started 16 centuries ago. It is influenced by Spanish during their invasion of our country. They set this to let the farmers hear mass before they go to their fields early morning. During old days, people is being awake by the ringing of Church bell at around three to get ready for the mass at 4 o'clock. Roman Catholic Churches open their doors to welcome the faithful for the Simbang Gabi and it is still being practiced nowadays. Simbang Gabi is also for the preparation for Christmas, the birthday of our Saviour, JESUS CHRIST.
Simbang Gabi is still being practiced at cities or province, urban or rural areas. It started on Dec. 16 and culminates on the midnight of Dec. 24, the midnight mass. As people walk along their way to the Church to attend the Simbang Gabi or nine-day novena, they are being guided by the beautiful lights decorated in every houses or even in tress they passed by. Also, parols or lanterns could be seen hanging on the trees or windows side of the houses. With this, it made people be inspired in going to church because through this, they can feel that Christmas is coming. After the mass or novena, traditional delicacies like bibingka, biko, puto, suman and sikwate are sold in stalls right outside the church awaits the church goers.
On my next entry, I will share to you my experience during the Simbang Gabi. God Bless!!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
English Month 2011
With the theme: "Promoting Digital Literacy Through Campus Journalism", Saint Joseph College cooperates with the celebration of English Month by having it in the school. This was led by the Education department major in English. They had their own booth inside the school campus where books and many others were displayed which is related to the event.
This celebration gave emphasis on how important English language in our lives today. It made us aware on its position, not only in our society, but to the whole whole world as it is the Universal language. English language makes us united in this world. It is the language which almost everybody uses to understand each other especially those who has different nationality.
Now, all of us should know English, on how to use it. Me, myself, honestly, I have difficulties understanding some terms in English. I'm not fluent with this. But, I can say that, after making all the blog entries, my English improved. I may not that fluent and master speaking it, but I learned a little. Making blog entries does a great help to me. God Bless!!!
The pictures below are from Leyte Elementary Schools' English Month.
This celebration gave emphasis on how important English language in our lives today. It made us aware on its position, not only in our society, but to the whole whole world as it is the Universal language. English language makes us united in this world. It is the language which almost everybody uses to understand each other especially those who has different nationality.
Now, all of us should know English, on how to use it. Me, myself, honestly, I have difficulties understanding some terms in English. I'm not fluent with this. But, I can say that, after making all the blog entries, my English improved. I may not that fluent and master speaking it, but I learned a little. Making blog entries does a great help to me. God Bless!!!
The pictures below are from Leyte Elementary Schools' English Month.
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Sunday, January 1, 2012
Disaster of Typhoon Sendong
One of raining kills hundreds of lives and destruct millions of assets. It was half of this month when typhoon Sendong attacked some area of Mindanao; especially Iligan City and Cagayan De Oro were really affected. They were declared under a state of calamity due to floods that swept away most of the house in the area. Watching the news, it was so depressing and heartbreaking for all the casualties and damaged properties. It pains our hearts hearing the continued rising of death toll.
Philippines is currently recovering for what typhoon Ramon and Quel had caused last September, but, now, we are facing another trials which was the typhoon Sendong had left. Most of the dead were asleep as the flood attacked the places somewhere in Mindanao. The typhoon affected several municipalities with over ten thousand of families. Last thing I knew was there were already 956 deads and 49 are still missing. Half of that deads were not yet claimed that the government in CDO just decide to put them in a dampsite. It doesn't mean that they will damp there. It's just that this move just avoid the bad smell caused by the dead body which may affect the health of the resident. This was just temporary. NBIs and other forensic agencies get the DNA sample of the dead for identification purpose. Those who haven't claim yet, the government decided to have a mass grave. It should be yesterday but the plan was aborted since there were other forensic agencies coming. Others were just buried in a apartment type tomb with identification number written.
Lots of help came to the area especially relief goods which are really needed since victims were running out of food. Also, there were people who donated clothes and other stuff that could give a great help for the resident. There were also cash donations came. As I watched television, TV networks in the Philippines do something to help. They accept donations, cash or not. They use their networks to announce the need of help of the typhoon damaged site. Philippines is need of help now. I pray for these. This is all I can do!
Philippines is currently recovering for what typhoon Ramon and Quel had caused last September, but, now, we are facing another trials which was the typhoon Sendong had left. Most of the dead were asleep as the flood attacked the places somewhere in Mindanao. The typhoon affected several municipalities with over ten thousand of families. Last thing I knew was there were already 956 deads and 49 are still missing. Half of that deads were not yet claimed that the government in CDO just decide to put them in a dampsite. It doesn't mean that they will damp there. It's just that this move just avoid the bad smell caused by the dead body which may affect the health of the resident. This was just temporary. NBIs and other forensic agencies get the DNA sample of the dead for identification purpose. Those who haven't claim yet, the government decided to have a mass grave. It should be yesterday but the plan was aborted since there were other forensic agencies coming. Others were just buried in a apartment type tomb with identification number written.
Lots of help came to the area especially relief goods which are really needed since victims were running out of food. Also, there were people who donated clothes and other stuff that could give a great help for the resident. There were also cash donations came. As I watched television, TV networks in the Philippines do something to help. They accept donations, cash or not. They use their networks to announce the need of help of the typhoon damaged site. Philippines is need of help now. I pray for these. This is all I can do!
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