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Tag: Traditions

  • Filipino Traditions During Holy Week

    Filipino Traditions During Holy Week

    In the 1500s, Christianity was introduced to the Philippines when the Spaniards first set foot to the country. As this religion is a main part of Spanish culture, Filipinos became a part of this tradition as well and has learned to embrace it ever since. Presently, the Philippines is identified to be the only Christian nation among other countries in Asia.

    Christian Filipinos make up 86% of the total religious community in the country. In this regard, every catholic holiday and occasions are celebrated with long-time traditions as part of its festivities. One of the most popular and celebrated Christian occasions in the Philippines is the Holy Week.

    What is Holy Week?

    Holy week otherwise referred to as Semana Santa, is a week of contemplation, reflection and commemoration of the passion and suffering of Jesus Christ. 40 days after the observance of Ash Wednesday, Filipinos will come together to observe long-placed customs and traditions.

    Common Customs and Traditions During Holy Week

    Depending on who you ask, most people, especially the senior members of the society gear towards following these long-standing traditions.

    Palm Sunday

    This day is known as the starting day for the Holy Week. Devotees flock together with their palaspas otherwise known as palm fronds. These palaspas are waved upon the entry of the priest to the church. These actions are reenactment of Jesus and his disciples’ entry to Jerusalem.

    As part of the celebration of the mass, the priest blesses the palm leaves. Filipinos then use these palm leaves as décor on their houses’ doors to keep them from evil’s way.

    Pabasa

    A ritual where people chant, sing or recite the words of Pasyon. The Pasyon book recounts Jesus’ life from his birth, death and resurrection.

    Fasting and Abstinence

    The observance of fasting and abstinence is done in solidarity of Jesus’ sacrifices for mankind. Throughout the Holy Week, people avoid eating meat or reduce mealtime. Others let go of their “guilty pleasure” such as drinking alcohol or smoking.

    Washing of the Feet

    Done during the Maundy Thursday mass, a small presentation of the priest washing twelve person’s feet to remember Jesus’ display of humility and being of service to others much like how Jesus washed the feet of his disciples.

    Visita Iglesia

    One of the most popular traditions during Holy Week is Visita Iglesia. This is where Filipinos visit catholic churches and recite the station of the cross. However, as the restrictions are still on-going, people are silently praying on their own.

    Stations of the Cross

    Also called Vua Crucis or Way of the Cross, this is a tradition where Filipinos pray and meditate in front of Jesus’ fourteen images that depicted his events of crucifixion and resurrection.

    Salubong

    Considered as the final highlight of the Holy Week, Salubong is done during the Easter Sunday at 4 o’clock in the morning. It depicts the reenactment of Jesus’ first meeting with Mary.

     

    Photos: Pexels.com

     

     

  • Sunday Feels: Filipino Traditions That Define a Filipino

    Sunday Feels: Filipino Traditions That Define a Filipino

    Traditions bond Filipinos all around the world. Whether it’s the accent of a dialect from a particular province, the “mano po” greetings that the youngsters do as an acknowledgment of the elders, Filipinos can quickly identify true-blooded Filipinos through their actions.

    Because of this, we’ll be revisiting common Filipino traditions that have set us apart from other people around the world. Let’s walk down on memory lane, fellow Filipino!

    Sundays are for Church

    Filipinos are known to be religious. They celebrate Christian festivities and sets aside a day for worship. Passed down from generation to generation, Sundays have become a hallmark for a family to celebrate their faith and love to the Almighty God. Furthermore, they acknowledge Sunday as a rest day. Filipinos love to wind down on a Sunday and enjoy bonding moments with their families.

    Mano Po!

    Whenever it gets dark (6 PM in particular), children of every household needs to greet the elderly and their parents by kissing their arm and asking their hand to be put on their foreheads. This is the Filipino way of greeting and respecting the elderly. The action accompanied by an expression, “mano po,” is a staple on Filipino traditions.

    Treating Guests Like Their Family

    Filipinos treat their guests to the most hospitable manner in the world. This is why Filipinos are known for their hospitality. People would say that when a Filipino takes care of you, you are taken care of like a brother, a son, and a member of the family. Filipinos love to make their guests at home.

    Courtship Involves an Iconic Serenade

    Many Filipino folk songs were written that relate to the matters of the heart. Filipinos bask in love and union. Filipinos are downright romantic. Because Filipinos master the art of wooing, it has been a part of their tradition to serenade a lady. Yes, the iconic moment when a man brings a guitar and even some friends to help him set up the perfect tune to ask a lady out for a date. This tradition still never goes out of style.

    Feasting and Home-Cooked Goodness

    If there’s one notable thing about Filipinos, it is that they love to eat! You can see it in their celebration of birthdays, fiestas, baptisms, weddings, and more! When there’s a celebration, there’s a grand table of food waiting for visitors to chow down. Plus, when you visit a household, you’ll be embraced with aromatic fumes of home-cooked meal waiting for you.

    Honoring the Dead

    For the Filipinos, death is a tragic moment to call on friends, family, and loved ones home. They follow a tradition of holding a wake where people get to visit the deceased one first and several religious rituals as part of their commemoration.

    Which Filipino tradition is a total Filipino take away for you? Have you experienced any of the traditions mentioned above? Which one is the most Filipino for you? Let us know in the comments section below.

     

    Photos: Pexels.com

  • Easter Sunday: Traditions and Its Celebrations

    Easter Sunday: Traditions and Its Celebrations

    It was on a Friday that the world had to witness how Jesus Christ died on the cross. He was crucified for the sins of the world as a means of forgiveness and salvation. However, two days went by and He has proven Himself as the Son of God by resurrecting and continuously showering us with blessings, guidance and hope. As we now celebrate Easter Sunday, we will discover how this momentous occasion is celebrated all around the world.

    Explosion of the Cart

    In Florence, Italy, people are celebrating Easter with a 350-year old tradition that is truly explosive and fun. It is called as Scorpio del Carro, otherwise known as Explosion of the Cart. A delicately-designed cart is filled with fireworks and is roamed around the streets by people adorned with 15th century costumes.

    Its final stop is the Duomo where the Archbishop of Florence lights the fuse. The lighting of the fuse is done during an Easter Mass and outside, people will get to witness a meaningful fireworks display. This tradition dates back to the First Crusade and is a symbol for their hopes of a great harvest.

    Blessing by The Balcony

    Starting with the Via Crucis that the Pope commemorates on a Good Friday, a mass is celebrated on Holy Saturday and on Easter Sunday. On the St. Peter’s Square, people are gathered to await the Pope’s blessings, identified as “Urbi Et Orbi.” Everyone awaits for the Pope to stay at his balcony and bless the visitors and Christians all over the world.

    Egg Hunt

    Classic Game of Egg Hunt

    Dating back 130 years ago, the White House hosted an Easter Egg Roll that is being done up to now. The mechanics of the game includes rolling a colored egg with a spoon. However, modern innovations to the game are being included to the Easter Day celebration. There are musical mini-shows, coloring activities, Easter Egg Hunt and more.

    Giant Egg Party

    If you happen to have your vacation on any Southern French Town on Easter Monday, you need to have a fork with you. As a part of its annual celebration, a giant omelet is served to be eaten by everyone in attendance at the town’s main square. The giant omelet takes up about 4,500 eggs and the story behind this gigantic proportions is quite remarkable. Napoleon was travelling to the South of France when he and his army were served with some omelet. He liked the taste very much and he ordered the people to cook him and his army some omelet to eat.

    Sprinkle With Water

    Also referred to as the “Ducking Monday,” the people of Hungary observes Easter Monday with water. Men sprinkle cologne, water, or ask for a kiss from a woman during the festivity. This tradition values water that has healing, cleansing and fertility properties.

    Every Easter Sunday we are all reminded that the Glory of the Lord is greater than our woes. His resurrection is a symbol of hope, renewal and new beginnings that everyone needs to believe despite the trials in o