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Tradition
tra-di-tion
[truh-DISH-uhn]
noun
origin: 1350-1400
1. the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information, etc., from
generation to generation, esp. by word of mouth or by practice: a story that has come down
to us by popular tradition.
2. something that is handed down: the traditions of the Eskimos.
3. a long-established or inherited way of thinking or acting: The
rebellious students wanted to break with tradition.
4. a continuing pattern of culture beliefs or practices.
5. a customary or characteristic method or manner: The winner took a victory
lap in the usual track tradition.
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Traditions
All Saints Day
Al Saints Day falls on Halloween. In the Philippines people light candles in the memory of their dead relatives.
October 31 to November 2 is "Araw ng mga Patay", "Dia de los Muertos"
(Day of the Dead, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day). During All Saints, and Souls Day, friends and
families visit the cemeteries, and pay homage to their dearly departed. The cemetery becomes a
party atmosphere, rather than a solemn celebration.
Christmas
It is a Filipino tradition for children to visit their godparents and elderly
relatives on Christmas day. This child is showing respect for his godmother by
taking her hand to his forehead. In return, he receives a blessing or a gift.
Christmas in the Philippines is a mixture of Western and native Filipino
traditions. Santa Claus, the Christmas tree, sending Christmas cards, and
singing carols have all been inherited from the cultures of the West. However,
these have all been adapted to fit the nature and personality of the Filipino
people.
Christmas Eve in the Philippines is one of the traditions most families
celebrate. It is a night without sleep and a continuous celebration moving
right into Christmas Day. As December 24th dawns, the last Mass of Simbang Gabi
is attended; then preparation begins for Noche Buena, which is a family feast
that takes place after midnight.
The Noche Buena is very much like an open house celebration. Family, friends,
relatives, and neighbors drop by to wish every family member "Maligayang Pasko"
(Merry Christmas). Food is in abundance, often served in buffet style. Guests
or visitors partake of the food prepared by the host family (even though they
are already full or bloated!). Among the typical foods prepared in the
Philippines during Christmas are: lechon (roasted pig), pancit, barbecue, rice,
adobo, cakes (Western and native rice cakes), lumpia, etc. There is also an
abundance of San Miguel beer, wine, and liquor, which makes the celebration of
Christmas indeed intoxicating!
The streets are well lit and are full of activities. The children run in and
out of the house to play, to eat, and to play again. The Christmas Eve
gathering provides an opportunity for a reunion of immediate and distant family
members. Some families may choose to exchange gifts at this time; others wait
until Christmas day.
In general, the center of a family's Christmas gathering is always the lola,
the endearing term used for a family matriarch or grandmother, who is deeply
respected, highly revered, and always present. Filipinos remember how their
lola had their children form a line and step up to receive a small gift of some
coins. The older the child, the more coins he or she receives.
Some families have a talent show during Christmas Eve celebration. Children are
asked to perform. One might sing a Christmas song, others might play a musical
instrument, or others may recite a poem or do a dance. The celebration
continues until about 6 o'clock in the morning. Those who cannot attend Mass
the night before will go to the morning Mass on Christmas day.
Christmas day is a popular day for children to visit their uncles, aunts,
godmothers, and godfathers. At each home they are presented with a gift,
usually candy, money, or a small toy. Food and drinks are also offered at each
stop. It is a day of family closeness, and everyone wishes good cheer and glad
tidings.
Debut
Similar to the western celebration of a female's "Sweet 16 Birthday,"
Filipinos celebrate a girl's 18th birthday by having a debut. The debutante
usually wears a gown and the the party is held at a banquet hall. Eighteen of
her closest male and female friends participate in a special ceremony. Her
female friends present her with a candle or a rose, while her male friends ask
her to dance. There is an array of traditional Filipino food such as a roasted
pig (lechon) and long noodles (pancit) to symbolize long life. After dinner,
there is a line-up of entertainment including popular dancing such as waltz,
cha-cha etc, Hawaiian and performances from family and friends. Overall the
entire occasion is similar to and as expensive as a small wedding.
Easter
Easter is a major holiday in the Philippines. Being a God-observing country, Philippines observe
Lenten season religiously. This will start on Ash Wednesday that paternized the lunar calendar of
Romans to be followed by Palm Sunday, then what we call THE HOLY WEEK, with Maundy Thursday,
Good Friday, Black Saturday, and will end on Easter Sunday.
Festivity starts on Palm Sunday when everyone goes to church with palm leaves and listen to
the mass and prepare for a week long celebration after. Then come Monday
until Wednesday, we go to the office, do our regular chores, but in a more prim manner.
This is the time to reflect and to do fasting. This is the perfect time to forgive and forget.
On Maundy Thursday, Filipinos will attend the mass and pray together as we remembered the day Christ started suffering for our sins. Catholics observe the Station of the Cross,
and it has been their tradition to visit as many churches as they can by walking.
Good Friday is when you can see Penitensya (Penitents) who reneact how Jesus was nailed in the Cross, wherein these people would also put barbed wires as their crowns,
walks down the streets carrying that cross that weights a ton.
While the ritual is frowned on by church authorities, the voluntary crucifixions
in villages north of the capital Manila are one of the most extreme displays of
religious devotion in Asia's largest Roman Catholic state.
Other penitants whipped their backs and chanted prayers as dozens of them mixed
faith with gory rituals to mark the church calendar's most sombre day at Easter.
On Black Saturday when Jesus is still dead, Filipinos still continue with
the fasting to somehow suffer for what He did for us.
And as soon as sunrise hits on Easter Sunday, Filipinos go to church together, and celebrate as Christ has risen from death.
It is the birth of NEW LIFE, so they rejoice that Day. Today they have somehow
adopted westernized culture and now have Easter EGG hunting on this memorable day.
Fiestas
Passed on by the Spaniards during their 300 years colonial rule in the
Philippines, fiestas to this present day continue to be a core element of
Filipino culture. Although it was originally observed to honor a saint or to
commemorate a religious event, the fiesta has become more secularized and now
celebrates the founding of a specific "barrio" or town.
During a fiesta, almost every household prepares a feast of scrumptious food.
Thus, the whole day is spent mostly house-hopping from one feast to another.
Guests from other towns are especially invited and are treated with gracious
hospitality. Some towns have developed unique traditions specific to that town.
For example, people in San Juan, a suburb in Manila, dunk each other with a
pail full of water. A commonality in every fiesta is the eating of a lechon, a
roasted pig.
Floras de Mayo
A festival celebrated by farmers as they welcome the fertile season. Celebrations around
towns showcase crops, food and delicacies. One of the most celebrated festivity is the "Pahiyas",
a colorful festival in Lucban, Quezon where houses are decorated mainly with dried rice papers in
different shapes and colors. Crops also accentuate these houses in artistic shapes, and styles.
Santa Cruzan
Nearly 90% of the Filipinos are Roman Catholic. Thus, a majority of the
cultural celebrations are closely aligned to religion. One of the most
prominent of these religious-cultural celebrations is the Santa Cruzan.
Celebrated in May, Santa Cruzan is a procession that symbolizes a saint's
search and eventual discovery of the cross used in Jesus Christ's crucifixion.
Young women, sagalas, are dressed in beautiful gowns and are escorted by young
men who wear the traditional men's barong. The parade aroung town and
eventually congregate in the church.
Tinikling
Originating from the Visayan province of Leyte, this ethnic dance imitate the
tikling bird's legendary grace and speed. The birds chase each other, run over
tree branches, or dodge bamboo traps set by rice farmers. Dancers play the role
of the birds by dancing between a pair of bamboo poles. It is usually performed
during special celebration, such as birthdays, graduation days, or fiestas.
Many student cultural organizations have "modernized" the dance by
incorporating pop, hip-hop, r and b, and rock music into the tinikling performance.
Nevertheless, the essence of dodging the bamboo poles holds true.
Weddings
The Philippines is the only Asian country that is predominantly Roman Catholic
due to Spanish colonization. Like Latin countries, several sets of godparents
or "sponsors" play key roles in the wedding ceremony, which takes place
within the liturgy of the Eucharist. After the homily, the arras, or earnest money,
13 coins blessed by a priest, is handed to the groom, who then entrusts it to
the bride to shows his willingness to bestow his worldly goods on her. Veil
sponsors drape a veil over the groom's shoulders and the bride's head
for protection and unity. Then the cord sponsors wind a white silk cord or rosary
around their shoulders to show the bond of marriage. Finally,
the candle sponsors light candles to show the presence of God.
Afterwards, the couple may release two doves from a cage.
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