Customs and Beliefs
Blessing your Elders
“Maayong buntag, udto, hapon, gabii… diha Manoy, Manang…” or blessing your elders is a Filipino tradition that shows respect for someone older than you. It involves bowing the head, taking the hand of the elder, and placing it on your forehead. It may look strange if you’re unfamiliar with the practice, but in reality, you’re asking your elder for his/her blessing. The elder may respond, “God bless you.”
Filipino children today still bless their elders to show respect. It is done when the elder is seen for the first time during the day. There is no age limit. You normally bless the ones two generations or more older than you. These people are your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, godparents and family friends. A child usually blesses people around their parents age or older. Even an adult in their 30′s or more still bless people older than them. Young children are initially directed by their parents when to bless until they learn to do it on their own.
Angelus (Orasyon or Oracion)
In the Philippines, the ringing of church bells is still done for the Angelus every 6:00 pm. In the past, Filipino families at the sound of the bell would kneel before their home altars and pray the Angelus. The rite is called the orasyón, from the Spanish oracion, (prayer/litany/recitation), and children playing outside must come home before the family prays the Angelus. In traditional Spanish-Filipino families, the Angelus is recited in Latin.
“Maayong buntag, udto, hapon, gabii… diha Manoy, Manang…” or blessing your elders is a Filipino tradition that shows respect for someone older than you. It involves bowing the head, taking the hand of the elder, and placing it on your forehead. It may look strange if you’re unfamiliar with the practice, but in reality, you’re asking your elder for his/her blessing. The elder may respond, “God bless you.”
Filipino children today still bless their elders to show respect. It is done when the elder is seen for the first time during the day. There is no age limit. You normally bless the ones two generations or more older than you. These people are your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, godparents and family friends. A child usually blesses people around their parents age or older. Even an adult in their 30′s or more still bless people older than them. Young children are initially directed by their parents when to bless until they learn to do it on their own.
Angelus (Orasyon or Oracion)
In the Philippines, the ringing of church bells is still done for the Angelus every 6:00 pm. In the past, Filipino families at the sound of the bell would kneel before their home altars and pray the Angelus. The rite is called the orasyón, from the Spanish oracion, (prayer/litany/recitation), and children playing outside must come home before the family prays the Angelus. In traditional Spanish-Filipino families, the Angelus is recited in Latin.
Mesa de Gallo or “Mass of the Rooster” was
started as an ordinary early morning mass to allow the farmers to hear the
words of God before going to their respective farming field. It was introduced
by the Spanish Missionaries as a way of instilling the values of the Christian
Faith and as a tool for the Filipinos to deepen their understanding and belief.
On December 16 of 1587, the Missionaries introduced the nine days dawn Masses to prepare the people spiritually for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. The bell starts ringing as early as 3 in the morning to wake the people up for the 4 in the morning mass. The culmination of the nine day mass was at midnight of December 24 and we termed it as Midnight Mass.
The practice was passed on to generation after generation and became a part of our culture. During our time, I can remember very well after the mass, people make different kind of noises, firecrackers, torotot, or just simply shouting Maayong Pasko, some mount a bunch of empty cans to their bike and drive around the plaza, then to the poblacion area. Indeed, Christmas is very Merry and Happy for us Catmonanons. Then, these merry making is followed by the Noche Buena… YUMMY, yes, Y – U- M – M – Y… I can just imagine the biko, puto wrapped in banana leaves triangular in shape, budbud pilit, sikwate, budbud kabog, bibingka,.. ug uban pa.
The tradition is still enjoyed by many even today, and I hope it will continue for a much longer time.
/tradition.html
On December 16 of 1587, the Missionaries introduced the nine days dawn Masses to prepare the people spiritually for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. The bell starts ringing as early as 3 in the morning to wake the people up for the 4 in the morning mass. The culmination of the nine day mass was at midnight of December 24 and we termed it as Midnight Mass.
The practice was passed on to generation after generation and became a part of our culture. During our time, I can remember very well after the mass, people make different kind of noises, firecrackers, torotot, or just simply shouting Maayong Pasko, some mount a bunch of empty cans to their bike and drive around the plaza, then to the poblacion area. Indeed, Christmas is very Merry and Happy for us Catmonanons. Then, these merry making is followed by the Noche Buena… YUMMY, yes, Y – U- M – M – Y… I can just imagine the biko, puto wrapped in banana leaves triangular in shape, budbud pilit, sikwate, budbud kabog, bibingka,.. ug uban pa.
The tradition is still enjoyed by many even today, and I hope it will continue for a much longer time.
/tradition.html
Sugat (Easter)
Sari-Sari Store
Kapilya - Corazon de Jesus
Ares Night
Drama sa Puting Tabil