pinaywifespeaks » Society and Culture

Bummed and Homesick

Lui — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 01:41:31 +0000

It’s something people living in a foreign place goes through occasionally. I think I’ve got tricks up to my sleeves already in how to overcome this, but one of my best all-time homesickness relief is to just blog about it.

True, I love Phnom Penh now to bits. I consider it home now too. But there are times I long to see relatives, even those I can’t stand! haha funny how being away turns some of us into weirdos. I also miss the familiar places, those haunts that we used to frequent when I was in high school and college.

When I went home last July, I did checked out places I used to go to but there’s some changes. Nothing major major but its like the whole atmosphere has changed. Perhaps because I’ve been away for a while and I had to chide myself, why should I expect things to remain the same? I think I miss being part of those changes…

Another big thing I miss – Food! More specifically food cooked at home. My father is a wonderful cook. It’s quite usual for us to have a big lunch or dinner at home. A lot of my relatives too flock to our house on weekends just to eat, and Pa always rises to the occasion. He could whip up a seven course meal on a short notice and everything always turn out pure yummi-ness. Sure I could cook Pinoy food here or go to a Pinoy restaurant but its not the same.

I think my cousin Dalz, who just came home from Bicol and posted photos on her Facebook was the one who set this off.. Hahaha..

an epic lunch hehe..- ensaladang talong, grilled liempo, grilled fish, pochero and of course fish and pork Bicol Express..

the goodies up close..

I’m happy to see my parents are well, everyone is doing great but I just miss having the food my father cooks.

Hayy, I just miss you guys – Papa, Mama, Coco, Faye, Dalz and Papa Nor, Ate Tess and family, Ate Linda, and I could go on and on.. And of course, I can’t miss out my BFF’s Yese, Tins, Babes, and Khen.

You could probably figure out what I’m going to do next now…..Checking schedules, airlines and ticket prices! Hihi I really hope we could go home next year. I think I have to find some time on the first and second quarter of the year…

Simply Thinking Ahead..

Lui — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:54:31 +0000

I’ll be a little busy tonight. Mostly coz I’m organizing all my papers about my Social Security System (Philippines) membership. Yes, I have my SSS and I’ve decided to continue on paying my contribution as a voluntary member.

Why? I’m thinking ahead. I know its not much but having some sort of security, a pension to look forward to when I reach the age of 60, medical, disability,calamity, and death benefits and a whole lot of other benefits. You can also avail of loans like business, housing and calamity loans..

When I was working I was a member and had regular contributions. You only need to have at least 120 months of contribution to be eligible for those benefits. But when I stopped working, I was just too negligent to continue but now I’ve decided to pick up where I left off. I was thinking it will be hard to do now that I’m living abroad, but thankfully banking facilities make it much easier. Now I could just pay monthly through BancNet’s Online Banking Facility.

It’s just another form of saving and I’m glad I’m making it..

Are you an OFW or you simply want to become an SSS member? Just checkout their website for more info.

Building Financial Security for Life

Anxious and Tense..

Lui — Mon, 10 May 2010 11:03:33 +0000

I’ve been trying to tell myself I don’t give a hoot, that I don’t really mind who’s going to be the next Philippine president. In fact, I’ve managed to convince everyone around me that I don’t care, that I’m so ‘sawa na‘ of Philippine politics.

So how come I had been feeling nauseous and anxious since this morning? And no its not an effect of prenatalvitamins or too much caffeine. I guess I had just been deluding myself that I don’t give a damn about who gets to lead my country anymore. The truth is, I am concerned. I am a Filipino, my daughter is a Filipino. No matter how many times I tell myself, I’ve stopped caring already, but I really do care about what happens to my country. So, here I am so tense and anxiously waiting..

I promised myself before I won’t write about politics, because I know next to nothing about it. So I’m not going to talk about personalities here. This is simply about my feelings about the fate of my country.

Today is election day in the Philippines, where Filipinos have the chance to be heard by the ballots that they cast. Do I have faith that this would turn out to be an honest election? I have severe doubts. Politics in the Philippines can be dirty. Automated? I want to believe the voice of the Filipinos will be heard, I want to believe that this will happen. But is that really possible? When everyone wants to be in power, everyone wants a share of the spotlight.

And I think its not just the politicians who are corrupt. Corruption and greed has established a culture of some people waiting for which candidate will give the biggest dole out and selling their votes to them. Of course, those who win the election would want to recoup what they invested, so it turns into a cycle. A vicious cycle of corruption..

Some Pinoys also have this belief that only one person is needed to turn around and give them a better future. Some even have this fanatical faith in some politicians and they go on yakking that they are the only hope of the country. Yes, we need a leader but I think what’s most important is that we do something to help and to do it together.

I think going with what Henry Ford have said will do us a great deal of good..

Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.

Is there any hope for the Philippines and the Filipinos? I want to believe that there is indeed hope.

You’ve gotta have hope. Without hope life is meaningless. Without hope life is meaning less and less. – author unknown

Wordless Wednesday 01: Agony in the Garden

Lui — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 03:26:23 +0000

My very first Wordless Wednesday entry for this blog..

Photo courtesy of my relatives in Bacacay, Albay, Philippines. The sign at the back ‘Pamibi sa Getsemani’ translates to ‘Praying in Gethsemane’

The Philippines has very strong Catholic traditions and the Holy Week is one of the most anticipated events in our country. In most towns there are a lot of religious activities and one of which is the procession. Life-size images statues depicting the last days of Jesus Christ are shown during the week. Our family takes care of the “Agony in the Garden” scene and this image statue has been handed down from several generations of our ancestors already…

You can view more photos of the previous years Holy Week Procession on my photos page.

Visiting a Filipino Home..Tips and Insights.

Lui — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 08:32:52 +0000

A few Cambodian friends of my husband have asked me about Filipino culture, particularly about our food, the weather, how to get around the country, how come we speak English fluently, and also how to behave when visiting a Filipino household.

Thinking about it, there is not much difference in visiting a Filipino home from a Khmer home. Here’s some tips on being a proper guest of a Filipino family.

- Always pay your respects to the elders in the family by greeting them. It’s an additional point in your favor if you can do the “mano” where you lift the elder’s hand and touch it to your forehead. For Filipinos, this is a sign of regard and respect to the elder.

- Remove your shoes or slippers before entering a Filipino house. Your host would most probably tell you to keep it on, but at least make a motion of removing them.

- Filipinos are very food-oriented and most visits and gatherings includes food. If you are visiting a Filipino home, expect to be offered something to eat. Don’t decline the invitation to eat otherwise you may be considered impolite.There are times like fiestas where you have already eaten in another house, but its still better to accept or you may just request to eat dessert or light snacks.

- Always offer to help clear the dishes. Your host would probably decline your offer of help but the gesture would be appreciated.

- When your visit is over, give your good wishes to the elders and thank everyone for their hospitality. If you have stayed in the house for a couple of days, a thank you gift would be a nice gesture.

Whatever they are rich or poor, Filipinos would really go out of their way to be welcoming and friendly to their guests, that’s why for most people, visiting a Filipino home is a delightful experience.

It’s Pacquiao over dela Hoya!

Lui — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 08:03:15 +0000

Isn’t it frustrating to wait for something for sometime only to forget to be there when that something happens? That’s what happened to me and the Pacquiao-dela Hoya boxing match.

I’ve really been looking forward to watching the match. I had the showtimes on local Cambodian channel as well as the cable timeslot memorized but when the day came I’ve been so busy that it literally slipped my mind. When I was about to sleep last night I just suddenly remembered I was supposed to watch it.

Lol! Memory gap? It was already late but I lost no time texting my sister in the Philippines just to know who actually won. Gladly it was the Filipino champion, Mannny Pacquiao who won. Though I kinda feel sad about De la Hoya (I had a huge crush on him when I was a bit younger ).

So I did my digging on Youtube to see if there are clips of the fight. I got pretty much irritated coz there are piles of videos there promising full fight etc and you get zilch! What is up with those people? Grrr! Anyway,I hope I could find a decent replay to watch. If you have a link, please share..

Manny Pacquiao did a great job and made the Filipinos proud again. I imagine its like fiesta again in the Philippines, too bad I can’t enjoy it in person , Nevertheless, this really made my day. Congrats, Pacman!

Divisoria, Manila’s Bargain Shopping Mecca

Lui — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:43:38 +0000

One of the places I would miss most in Manila are Quiapo and Divisoria. I love bargain hunting and these two places are simply the place to be for really great bargains. I’ve actually written a 3-post guide to Quiapo in my other blog but I have yet to post something about my favorite “shopping playground”, Divisoria.

Divisoria is located right in the heart of Manila. It is considered the mecca of bargain shopping in all of Metro Manila. If you are on the lookout for cheap items, then this is the place to go. Here you can find almost everything, school and office supplies, textiles, clothing, housewares, small appliances, accessories, home decors, toys..well practically everything. If you are also looking for crafting and packaging materials, Divisoria offers wide choices.

Divisoria is not just one street. It actually encompasses several streets and has several malls around the area. Be prepared to walk around. Before venturing there keep this in mind:

It could get really crowded particularly during weekends, holidays, before school starts and during Christmas season. If you are claustrophobic, Divisoria street market is not the place for you. If you can’t stand the heat, smell and close proximity of other people, you may opt for the air-conditioned malls around the area.
Dress down. Wear walking shoes or slippers. Don’t wear jewelry. I’d advice against bringing electronic gadgets and cellphones. (Hehe but I did brought my digi-cam to take this photos… believe me I was scared somebody might just grab it!).
Bring cash and small bills. They don’t accept credit cards here . There are ATM’s around but better be ready with enough cash.
Before deciding on a purchase, check for quality. Especially ready made clothes, check the insides.
Haggle, haggle, haggle! Sellers actually expect you to haggle. If its your first time, go with an experienced Divi shopper. If you can speak Chinese, that’ll mean additional discounts .
Be careful about your belongings. Bring a large shopping bag. That will keep your purchases organized.

There are several malls around Divisoria. Divisoria Mall, 168 Mall, Tutuban Mall, Meisic Mall and there is a new mall beside Tutuban..

Divisoria Mall – located near Tabora St., it’s air-conditioned with stalls in grid-like position. This mall has a lot of stalls so the pathways are narrow so on crowded days be prepared to squeeze yourself. There are three floors selling a wide range of items at wholesale and retail prices. There a lot of toys, school and office supplies, party supplies, clothes, home items, accessories, footwear. The third floor also houses a small food court area and restrooms. This mall also has a lower ground floor with stalls selling party supplies and lots of native handicrafts.

168 Mall – located a few meters away from Tutuban Mall. 168 Mall is air-conditioned, well-lit, and have bigger passageways than Divisoria Mall. This one also has better security, restroom facilities, and has more stalls. Stalls here sell items almost the same as those in Divisoria mall but I noticed there are more quality home decor and electronic gadgets. Food court is also big with lots of restaurants from. McDonalds, Jollibee, Tokyo Tokyo, Chowking, Greenwich, Namit Gid, Reyes Barbeque, American Hotdog, Balot Express, plus a several stalls offering Chinese food. ATM’s are also located on the thri168 Mall can be accessed via Soler, Felipe and Sta. Elena St.
Tutuban Mall – located along Claro M. Recto Avenue. This mall is also air-conditioned and divided in 3 clusters. This is also popular place to buy wholesale. You can find a good variety of textiles, ready to wear clothes, bags, shoes, sewing materials, accessories, phones plus there are also some shops of popular brands. Food court is also good as well as restroom facilities.
Meisic Mall – this is a newly opened mall near 168. Located at the corner of Reina Regente and Meisic Sts in Binondo. You can find same items here as the other malls although the last time I went there 2 weeks ago, the first floor is not yet fully occupied.

Shopping at the malls are convenient but if you are not averse to large crowds, the heat and strong smell check out the streets too for good finds.

Tabora St – find crafting materials, costumes, sewing materials, textiles, kitchen utensils, ready made curtains and seat covers.
Juan Luna St. – textiles, ready to wear clothes, shoes, accessories, packing supplies, cheap stuff toys;
Check out Azcarraga Building too. This is a few blocks from Tutuban Mall, you’ll find great choices of textiles here at cheap prices.
The street across Tabora and fronting Divisoria Mall, you’ll find cheap vegetables here, there are also stalls selling boxes, gift wrapping materials.
The building behind Divisoria Mall, I call it “Toy Kingdom”. This is the best place to shop for toys and party supplies.

How to get there.. Finding parking spaces can be difficult during crowded days. Tutuban Mall and 168 Mall have ample parking spaces but if bring a car navigating the crowded streets can be a headache. Park somewhere safe but make sure you can still walk back with all your purchases. As for me, I prefer commuting to Divisoria.

If you are from Taft Avenue, there are jeepneys and FX taxi plying the Divisoria route. It will pass by Binondo Church, Juan Luna St., from here you can explore the streets or go to the malls;
Take LRT1 if you’re from Monumento or Baclaran and get down in Doroteo Jose. From there take a pedicab to Divisoria or if you’re up to walk a few blocks then take a hike.
If you’re from Cubao, Katipunan, Santolan area, take LRT 2 and get down at the last station- Recto;
From Espana, there are also jeepneys taking Divisoria route;

Obsession with Skin Whitening

Lui — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 11:55:19 +0000

I was in a spa yesterday for my foot spa and pedicure. It’s my idea of luxury hahaha, having my food scrubbed for my next high heels engagement . I was wondering a bit at the changes in society. Guess what, I was the lone lady customer in foot spa and pedicure area, all the rest were men. It’s amusing and good to know that Pinoy men now are also into spa and all. There was even one dad with his daughter in tow while he was having his leg choco mud wrap and massage. He said it was his turn to babysit while mommy is out shopping..

I got sidetracked again, this was supposed to be about skin whitening and Pinoy’s obsession with it. I got into a conversation with the lady who was giving me the foot spa and I asked her what is their best sellers. She said most people go there for whitening body scrubs, whitening facials and lately, glutathione injects, and well practically everything that could make skin fair.

Why are there lots of Filipinos so obsessed with being whiter, fairer? Media and most of us promote the thinking that whiter and fairer is beautiful. Watch TV for 30 minutes and you get a barrage of skin whitening products commercials. And most advertisers use fair skinned models as their product endorsers. What could be the other reason why we equate white being beautiful? Is it colonial mentality? I really wonder why..

I am fair skinned myself but I keep wishing I’d be more tanned. My younger sister is morena and I just adore her skin color. It makes her look so tropical, exotically beautiful and yet she is also in the skin whitening bandwagon! I’ve seen her go through various products just to get fairer! Is it a case of wanting something what you don’t have?

I can still clearly remember when I was in grade school, there was a PTA meeting in school and my father went with me. A lady approached my dad and made small talk and peered at me and said, “She isn’t really beautiful but she is so white and that makes her standout.” I could never forget that remark. It made me scared to be darker but thankfully during my high school years I learned it isn’t really the skin color but more of how you carry yourself. Your innate confidence and beauty will show no matter what skin color you have.

A Little Cellphone Etiquette

Lui — Sat, 17 May 2008 05:51:40 +0000

I am in a bit of ranting mood right now… I’m supposed to be on a serene and peaceful mood whenever I come from visiting the church. I usually go to Baclaran church Thursday or Fridays or Saturdays whichever day suits my schedule and of course if the weather permits.

I’m really just bothered by other people who use their cellphones without respect for the place as well as for other people. The place was really quiet with a lot of people praying and meditating, then all of a sudden a cellphone rings! It was loud and the owner didn’t bother picking it up as fast as she can but took her time in answering and proceeded to talk to whomever was calling her.

Its high time that all of us should practice cellphone etiquette and be mindful of others. How do we practice this?

Apply the golden rule. Use your common and good sense and your discretion. In movie houses, people there are interested in the movie, they don’t give a hoot about you having a lover’s quarrel over the cellphone.

Put yourself in other’s shoes. It is simply impolite to break public quiet – like in a library where others are reading, writing.. If it cannot be avoided, excuse yourself and find a place where your voice won’t be carried.

Learn either to take messages and call back when its appropriate. Turn off or put your phone on silent mode until you’re in a place where you can talk.

Turn off phone or be on vibrating mode in places where ringers could be intrusive, such as performances (concerts, plays etc), libraries, restaurants, church, movies. You might not believe it but people actually hear you when you’re talking on a cellphone.

Observe people around you. Are they giving you that annoyed, “get-lost”, pissed stare? Chances are you have to reconsider your phone behavior if you’re always receiving annoyed glares.

Now, I’ve said my piece. I hope people would really pay attention to right manners. I am at the risk of sounding like a guidance counselor now but what the #%^&! I can really get annoyed by bad manners. Ignorance is forgivable but having bad manners, geez! that is just horrible.

Still on vacation…

Lui — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 11:48:28 +0000

I took advantage of my daughter’s birthday to take a few days off too (she wanted to have a party in lola’s garden..) I’m here in Albay..recharging and eating good food (that means, food I didn’t cook! ) There is just something so nice and relaxing about being in the place where you grow up and being pampered.

Its not as hot here as in Manila and it rains frequently.. I think its kinda weird since I used to remember summers here to be awfully hot and humid. But now I think climate is really changing, it rains every evening and early morning here so even if it gets so hot at noon time its still cooler compared to Manila. One thing I like about the province, the air is clean and cool. I rarely get my allergy attacks here

My mom is crazy about gardening and she has planted these huge ferns around the house, she says she wants the place to be cooler and it really makes for a tropical look.. It’s really cool and I love looking at how green it is – so stress relieving.. You can find these ferns along river banks and lakes and along the way up to Mayon Volcano ( no pics of Mayon this time, its always so cloudy and the mountain is always covered with it..)

Here’s the trunk of our pili tree.. Love the “manalo” plants

I’m having a great time except that we don’t have an internet connection here.. so my regular blog hops, reviews etc are on hold.. I’m connecting now using my mobile phone hooked up as modem but the internet speed is super slow..

will be back tommorow..

ISWAK – My Guilty Pleasure..

Lui — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 03:21:03 +0000

I’ve always said I don’t like watching TV and I find it really tiresome to watch long and endless TV dramas. But last Holy Week when everyone went to take vacations, me and hubby, let’s just call him H was left with nothing much to do. I went our dvd storage when I came across It Started With Kiss DVD.

I remember a cousin lending it to me some eons ago and I never got to watch it coz I was thinking its too long and probably too dramatic for my taste. I never liked too much crying hooplas on a series. Now left with nothing to do, we decided to watch ISWAK, and to our surprise we loved it!

Probably because the show was light and funny and romantic too. The only complaint I have with the series is its sooo long and the female character was just too stupid, I mean I would have liked it better if the character developed to a less klutzy, less stammering etc person. The actors in these series have a remarkable chemistry that you simply can’t help but empathize with them. At first you’d think love might be impossible between an attractive, smart guy and a clumsy, plain girl, this series would make you think again.. I know I’m blabbering like a teenageer, but watch it you might agree with me. It’s light, funny and very endearing..

Here’s a bit of an into…

ISWAK is about a not-so-bright high school girl (she’s from Class F!), klutzy, bubbly and optimistic girl Xiang Xin (played superbly by Ariel Lin). Xiang Xin is in love with the school’s resident genius, Class A student Zhi Shu (Joe Cheng). Zhi Shu is your all around genius, cold and a bit of a snob and he hates stupid girls. So Xiang Xin got rejected when she took the courage to confess here feeling for Zhi Shu. H thinks it was just hilarious when it was announced over the school’s public address system that “Hey! Xiang Xin of Class F’s proposal got rejected by Class A’s Zhi Shu!”

Fate, however, intervenes because an earthquake destroys Xiang Xin’s house and her father decided to let her stay with his bestfriend’s family. Papa’s bestfriend turns out to be Zhi Shu’s dad! It gets more interesting because Zhi Shu’s mom have taken a liking (now that’s a mild term!) to Xiang Xin and was determined to get the two of them together. Xiang Xin and Zhi Shu’s mom are a bit similar, they are both so crafty yet their plans almost always don’t work.

Will the close proximity give her a second chance to win Zhi Shu’s heart? Or, will her love for him end under his cold words? What happens when there is competition for his heart? Find out and watch it.. Check our www.mysoju.com, if you want to watch the series online via streaming. Wanna read the summaries of the manga (the series was based on a Japanese Manga, Itazura na kiss), visit www.suki-desu.com.

And good news! This one has a sequel already and it revolves around Zhi Shu and Xiang Xin’s married life.. As usual its hilarious and I think I like the female character here better than the first part. They didn’t downplay much of Ariel’s beauty so she looks a bit of a much to the handsome Zhi Shu, although she’s still clumsy as ever Wanna watch it? MySoju will again feed your addiction to this drama, they regularly update so check it out for new episodes.

Easter Reflections

Lui — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 14:17:45 +0000

It’s Easter Sunday today and I’ve been spending a lot of time reflecting on a lot of things. For the past few years, holy week is more like a festive occasion and vacation time for the family, but this year we’ve decided to do it differently and just spend these few days at home, attending church services, generally have some reflection and quiet time with the family.

In the past, during holy week, we’ve always headed to crowded beaches, home to Bicol but I just don’t know why I always come home feeling so deflated. This made me think that I had been forgetting the real meaning of the holy week and made material things the main focus of most of my time. And yet during my most trying times, God always provides and I always feels I am not alone.

This time however was great because my family has been able to bond and spend some quiet time without the pressures of work, deadlines etc. I really can’t explain the feeling of peace I have now and time spent like this I will always treasure. Tomorrow, everyone will be busy again, but now we’re all feeling recharged.

Times have really changed now and I can’t blame those who rush out and spend holidays during holy week. What really matters most is that we don’t forget to reflect and think about the real essence of Holy Week and Easter – God’s infinite love and forgiveness for us..

The resurrection gives my life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what my circumstances. ~Robert Flatt

Some Tidbits About Holy Week

Lui — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:55:53 +0000

1. Why is the Sunday before Easter called Palm Sunday? Palm Sunday, one week before Easter, is the beginning of the Christian religion’s Holy Week. By the late 300′s, it was part of a trend for Christians in Jerusalem to remember the last events of Jesus’ life by holding services at sacred sites in the city. Today, palm branches are still given out on this day symbolizing the palm branches that people placed on Jesus’ path as he triumphantly entered the city of Jerusalem.

2. Maundy Thursday celebrates the Last Supper. Many churches reenact the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday. This day, three days prior to the Resurrection, is the day that Christ washed the feet of his disciples and shared his last meal with them. “Maundy” derives from the word mandate, or commandment. After Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, he commanded them to do the same for one another. In John 13:34, Jesus says, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another.”

3. What’s “good” about Good Friday? Good Friday, celebrated the Friday before Easter is considered a day of mourning by many believers of the Christian faith, but it is also the beginning of the three-day Easter celebration leading to the Resurrection. When he was resurrected, Christians believe, Christ paid for the sins of the world and gave everyone a clean slate. This is the basis of the Christian religion.

4. Modern-day Easter celebrations have origins that pre-date Christianity. How, you might ask, can a Christian holiday have traditions older than the religion itself? The word Easter derives from the name of an ancient goddess. Ishtar was known as the goddess of love and fertility in Babylonian society, and others called her Astarte. Eventually, the name changed to Ostara, which is “Eastre” in Old English.

5. Eggs were once to Easter what Chocolate is to Valentine’s Day. Eggs symbolize birth and fertility in many cultures, and in medieval Europe, eggs were forbidden during Lent, making them a prized treat for children on Easter. Eggs were painted bright colors to resemble the sun and springtime. Lovers often exchanged eggs, similar to Valentine’s Day cards today.

6. Which came first, the Easter Basket or the Eggs? In ancient Europe, eggs of different colors were taken from the nests of various birds and used to make talismans. The eggs were often ritually eaten. The search through the woods for eggs gradually evolved into the Easter egg hunt, while painted eggs eventually replaced wild birds’ eggs.

7. Easter Parades began as a way to celebrate “new” life. Once they were baptized, early Christians wore white robes throughout Easter week as a symbol of their “new” lives. In Medieval Europe, parishioners would walk together after Easter Mass, led by a clergyman carrying a crucifix.

Holy Week – Traditions in Bicol

Lui — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 14:13:35 +0000

I was born and raised in Bicol, Philippines and have spent most of my childhood there. Bicol is at the southern end of Luzon. It’s a beautiful place with lots of natural wonders. More than just Mayon Volcano, Bulusan Volcano and Mt. Isarog, and whale shark spotting, Bicol Region have lots of breathtaking islands and beaches.

Albay, my home province has vast amount of rich farm lands, and one of the main produce is abaca. So if you’re in search for handicrafts (handbags, mats, baskets), this is the place to visit. What is also unique about the province is the churches in each municipality mostly of Baroque Architecture.

What I really miss though are the religious traditions we celebrate. Most notably, the holy week procession where you can see the evident influence of Spanish and Roman Catholic culture to our place.

2007 Holy Week Procession – Bacacay Albay, Philippines

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This is the 'santo' - Agony in the Garden, our family has taken care of for generations already..

I won’t be able to go home this Holy Week season, so I’d content myself with sharing pictures of last year’s Holy Week Procession. Back home, each “santo” or “paso” is taken care of by a clan. Most of these santos are with clans for several generations already. Our family has one “paso”, the Agony in the Garden. Every year the whole clan helps out fixing the image, putting decorations, and going to the processions. Processions are done on Holy Wednesdays and Good Friday. It goes through the town’s narrow streets ending at the Church where the priests bless the people and the images. (it was raining a bit last year ..)

Majority of these images or ‘santos’ are centuries old and has been handed down through generations. See the photos below and you’d be amazed by the details and the craftmanship of each piece. The newer ones now are mostly made of fiberglass but the old ones are really impressive. It has life-like sizes as well as features.

Update: 2008 Holy Week Procession (photos courtesy of my niece Andrea)

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pinaywifespeaks » Society and Culture

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