My Season of Peace: Celebrations, Filipino style

There is one thing I have learned in my 5 short months in the Philippines, the Filipino people really know how to put on a celebration! I have been to so many parties and celebratory events; I can hardly remember them all. This past Sunday I went to a Christening celebration, a prayer event for a deceased loved one and then to a 30^th wedding anniversary. Food galore at every celebration of course!! Birthday’s are very important here, especially when you turn age 1, age 7, age 18 for girls and 21 for boys. There is a huge party, tents, videoke, games, clowns, tons of food, presents – depending upon the financial situation of the family, I even heard of a 7 year old girl having “attendants” almost like a debut! My birthday is coming up and thankfully everyone is making a big deal about it, it will make me feel less homesick and know that I am appreciated.

One of the first birthday parties I went to was very interesting, there were colored marshmallows and pieces of hotdog arranged alternately on skewers as a sort of arrangement for the table, included of course, was the entire hog’s head. You must eat spaghetti and/or pancit on your birthday for long life. I can’t quite get used to the sweet spaghetti sauce and bits of hot dog in there…..miss my old fashioned Italian version. Children’s games include breaking a ceramic pot of sorts filled with candy, sort of like a Mexican piñata. There is another gadget that hangs from the ceiling with little bags of candy and money that is raised and lowered over the children’s heads for them to grab at.

Filipino’s celebrate life and death. I went to a 4 day after the death celebration complete with open casket in the living room with lively conversation around as we all ate, we returned for the 9^th day celebration, sans casket. I met a very interesting woman who has worked for a middle eastern prince for 10 years and has traveled the world as she takes care of the children.

Apparently the 30^th wedding anniversary is a big one here and again, catering, huge tents, food, live music, tons of people, a program complete with the couple dancing 30 dances with guests, a slide show of their lives…it was very touching. Passing a board examination and graduating from college is also very important, customized special large canvas banners are created with the person’s name and accomplishment and then strategically displayed for the community to view. The family I visited the other evening was so proud of their son’s accomplishment and it seemed like the entire town gathered to join in the celebration.

If you are asked to “sponsor” someone in their confirmation it is a big deal, also with a baptism, there is the spiritual commitment to the child as well as a financial commitment, you are part of the family forever and can be called a “compare” – accent on the last e. Sponsoring a wedding is an even bigger deal, more expensive too, here the groom’s family shoulders the expense of the wedding! I am not entirely sure what the sponsor obligation is for a wedding but I do know that it is a huge honor, and therefore responsibility, to be one.

Fiestas are another fantastic celebration, our local one is coming the end of December. Don’t forget the Christ the King celebration where we processed through the town holding candles with the large statue of Christ the King, Immaculate Conception is next.

We have been celebrating Christmas, no joke, since Sept. 1^st, decorations have been up and music has been playing. We had our own version of Thanksgiving here with a lovely Filipino family and another PCV, mashed potatoes for everyone! Christmas is next and then New Year’s Eve! Like I said, the Filipino’s really know how to put on a party and celebrate!

Enjoy the photos!