March 25th celebrates The Feast of the Annunciation and The International Day of the Unborn Child

March 25^th is the celebration in commemorating the “Feast of the Annunciation”. Annunciation means “announcing” and that is why this date was named “Feast of the Annunciation”. This is because, this is the date when our Virgin Mama Mary was visited by Archangel Gabriel to inform her that she would conceive the son of God — Jesus. This is 9-months prior to Christmas — the birthday of Jesus.

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Pabasa 2010

Last night as I went home from work, my mother and our neighbors already prepared all the stuffs that will need and be using in our “Pabasa”.

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Holy Week in the Philippines

Philippines is the only predominantly Christian country in Asia. It’s been said that approximately 85% of its citizens are Christian (which mostly Roman Catholic), 10% Muslim and 5% other religions.

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Feast of Sto. Niño (Feast of Child Jesus Christ, Tondo Manila)

The “Santo Niño” or “Holy Child” is a Roman Catholic figure of the Child Jesus Christ. And being on a country where most of the citizens are Roman Catholic, Filipinos are known to be a great follower and really devoted to all their patron saints. Our love and devotions to Christ Child is phenomenal.

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Feast of Black Nazarene (Quiapo, Manila)

The 9th of January is considered to be one of the most spectacular religious events in the Philippine history. Because it is during this day, Filipinos celebrates the Feast of the Black Nazarene --- a day-long event and long-held practice of Filipino Catholics.

The Black Nazarene is famously noted for its devotees who walk the procession streets barefooted as to imitate Jesus Christ on his way to Mount Cavalry. It is a life-size, dark-colored wooden sculpture of Jesus Christ carrying a cross which is said to be miraculous by many of its Filipino devotees. Its statue was brought here in Manila by a Spanish priest way back 1607 aboard a ship. The ship then caught fire, burning the image and thus came to be known as the “Black Nazarene”. Though its image has been burnt, people still decided not just to preserve it but to honor it, as well. And ever since then, miraculous things have been experienced by those who touch its image.

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Family Bonding (Christmas Party --- Valencia Reunion 2K9)

Christmas is the best season to reunite with all your loved ones, that’s why most families held their family reunion during this season.

Last Sunday, December 27, 2K9, we had a “Christmas Party – Valencia Reunion ‘09” at Auntie’s place (in my boyfriend’s side). And we had so much fun. Everyone was laughing our heads out during the parlor games and during exchange gifts, as well. We definitely enjoyed the family reunion that day!

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Holy Innocents

Holy Innocents or Childermas (Children’s Mass) in other countries, is a festival known to Christians as a commemoration of the mass infanticide or massacre of young male children in Bethlehem ages two years old and below by King Herod of Judea.

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Christmas Day

Christmas is the one season of the year when generosity is a national pastime. I love it, because it’s the celebration of our Savior’s birthday and I just can’t think of a more wonderful time of the year.

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The BEST and PERFECT gift of all at Christmas

During Christmas, everyone especially the kids are all excited to open all the gifts they have received. Gifts come in small and big packages. Some comes in monetary amount called “aguinaldo”.

But do you guys know what PERFECT and BEST gift a man can ever received at Christmas?

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Gift-Giving at Christmas

We can’t address discovering the power of generosity at Christmas without talking about gifts. But do you guys know why people give gifts at Christmas? Some points to the story of Magi while others points out to the story of St. Nicholas and then later on follow his generosity.

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Christmas Eve (Noche Buena)

Christmas Eve is usually a sleepless day and a continuous celebration for us, Filipinos. We celebrate this day, as early as dawn by attending the last “Simbang Gabi.” Then, afterwards, every family already starts preparing “Noche Buena” which is a family feast that takes place after midnight. Some families, held ‘family reunion’ during this event, as well.

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Filipino Christmas Caroling

For Filipinos, each festivity is incomplete without music being played during the celebrations. And on Christmas seasons, as early as October, you can already hear lots of Christmas carols being played everywhere --- in radio stations, malls, etc.

And on December 16, as the same date for the start of “simbang gabi”, children and other carolers already start doing “carolings.” For, it is the official start of it.

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Simbang Gabi (Misa de Gallo)

As a Filipino, one of the traditional values that have remained strong and very integral to us is our love for celebrating different occasions or festivities. We celebrate every significant event in our lives such as birthdays, baptismal, anniversaries, promotions, graduations and so many others.

Christmas is one of the most important seasons that we celebrate. And we, Filipinos, actually do celebrate the longest Christmas in the world. For it starts, when the “ber” seasons arrives --- October, September, November, and December; and even lasted till the 6th day of January (for the celebrations of the “3 kings”).

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