Monday, January 31, 2011

HOW DO CHINESE NEW YEAR STARTED?



The most important and grandest of the social, traditional holiday in China is the Spring Festival or the Chinese New Year. It is a great time for family get together. Although many Chinese has adopted the Western calendar, wherein Chinese celebrating New Year on January 1, they still observe the traditional Chinese New Year.
There is a known Chinese legend that tells how the Chinese New Year started, It is said that the traditional holiday in China started when their ancestors fought Nian, a cruel monster who greedily eats on  crops, livestock  and the inhabitants specially the children. It is said the he would come during lunar month to hunt for villagers (if you are aware of the game World of Warcraft, the boss OMEN was actually inspired by Nian). Villagers were very afraid of him. They would locked themselves at home. so as not to be one of Nian's prey. During one of Nian's attack, an old, wise man from the village have noticed that Nian was sensitive to loud noises and that he was afraid of children wearing red. The villagers came up with a plan that when the monster would again attack, they would beat drums and gongs, and would light up firecrackers (by that time they use gunpowders) to make loud noises  and they would wear red robes. When the monster Nian attacked, they did what has been planned and the beast ran out. Ever since, the ferocious monster no longer appeared in the village. Since then, they celebrate their victory every year during winter, making loud noises by beating drums, gongs, lighting firecrackers and wearing red, thus making it the celebration of the Chinese New Year.
GONG HE XIN XI, Gōng Xǐ Fā Cái!,

Sunday, January 16, 2011

THE FEAST OF THE SANTO NINO

 photo taken from photobucket.com


Like the feast of the Black Nazarene, the feast of Santo Nino ( holy child) is also celebrated every January. The feast of Santo Nino is usually celebrated every third Sunday of January. The Spaniards were the ones who introduced the Santo Nino to the Filipinos. 
When Magellan reached the Philippines in 1521, he introduced Christianity to Filipinos. He convert many Filipinos into Christians. The gift given by Magellan to Hara Amihan, the wife of Rajah Humabon  ( the chieftain of Cebu) on her baptism is a wooden image of child Jesus (Santo Nino). Magellan died a few weeks later in a battle with Lapu-Lapu in Mactan, his men returned to Spain. In 1565, another group of Spaniards arrived in Cebu, Philippines, headed by explorer Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. One of his men, Juan Camus found the image of Santo Nino inside a wooden box.
Santo Nino is the prime of all Christian relics in the Philippines. In fact the image that was found by Juan Camus was enshrined in San Agustin Church in Cebu which is now known as the Minore Basilica del Santo Nino. 
There were many places in the Philippines wherein they celebrate festival in honor of Senor Santo Nino.
The Philippines' biggest and most popular festival in honor of the Senor Santo Nino is the Sinulog Festival in Cebu.

FESTIVALS IN THE PHILIPPINES  IN HONOR OF THE  SANTO NINO;


ATI-ATIHAN Festival -  held annually in Kalibo, Aklan, Philippines. Celebrated on the third Sunday of January.
SINULOG Festival - held annually in Cebu City, Philippines. Celebrated on the third Sunday of January.
DINAGYANG Festival - held annually during the fourth Sunday of January in Iloilo City, Philippines.
BINANOG Festival - held every second Sunday of January in Lambunao, Iloilo.
KABANKALAN SINULOG Festival - in Kabankalan, Negros celebrated annually during second Sunday of January. 
HINIRUGYAW Festival - held every January 30 - February 6 in Calinog, Iloilo.
BANSUDANI Festival - in Bansud, Oriental Mindoro every January 17 to 19.
KINARADTO Festival - celebrated annually in Buenavista, Guimaras every January 16.
KAHIMUNAN Festival - Butuan City, Butuan's version of Sinulog Festival held every January 16.
BATAN ATI-ATI MALAKARA Festival - in Poblacion, Batan Aklan. Celebrated every January 16. 
ALTAVAS STO. NINO Festival - held annually in Poblacion, Altavas, Aklan every January 21-22.
DINAGSA ATI-ATI Festival - Cadiz, Negros Occidental held every January 24-30
BINIRAY Festival - held annually in Romblon, Romblon every January 9.
SANTO NINO Fiesta in Marilao , Bulacan every last Sunday of January. 
TONDO FIESTA -  celebrated every third Sunday of January in Tondo Manila.
SINULOG PHOTO TAKEN FROM PHOTOBUCKET


The celebration of the feast of the Santo Nino started in Cebu and is now celebrated in many parts of the Philippines. There were hundreds of stories about the miracles of the Santo Nino which made the holy infant close to the hearts of every Filipino. Celebrations features novenas, processions with images of the Santo Nino, tribal dance competitions, fireworks and games for childrens. 

VIVA PIT SENOR SANTO NINO!!!

Saturday, January 15, 2011

OPHIUCHUS; THE NEW ZODIAC SIGN


Ever heard of the latest about zodiac signs? This new year, well, there will be an addition to the list of our sun sign by the name of Ophiuchus.
Professor Parke Kunkle of the Minnesota Planetarium Society says that our zodiac sign were no longer accurate as there is already a date problem. According to Kunkle, things have moved and the sun is in a different constellation and that we are about a whole constellation off.
So you might be wondering where the name Ophiuchus came from. We all know that the name of our zodiac signs came from the name of our constellations. There were 88 constellations and one of them is Ophiuchus which is also known as Serpentarius which literally means serpent bearer or serpent holder. As a new added zodiac sign,  the symbol of Ophiuchus is a man holding a serpent.

HERE ARE THE NEW SUN SIGNS ACCORDING TO MINNESOTA PLANETARIUM SOCIETY:

Capricorn: Jan. 20-Feb. 16.
Aquarius:
Feb. 16-March 11.
Pisces:
March 11-April 18.
Aries:
April 18-May 13.
Taurus:
May 13-June 21.
Gemini:
June 21-July 20.
Cancer:
July 20-Aug. 10.
Leo:
Aug. 10-Sept. 16.
Virgo: Sept. 16-Oct. 30.
Libra:
Oct. 30-Nov. 23.
Scorpio: Nov. 23-29.
Ophiuchus:
Nov. 29-Dec. 17.
Sagittarius: Dec. 17 - Jan. 20
Here are the characteristics of those who were said under the sign Ophiuchus;

the lucky number of those under this sign is 12. He is a seeker of wisdom, knowledge, love and harmony. He is destined to be separated with his family at an early age but loves them so well. He would love to wear vibrant color dresses. Many people would be jealous of this person. He would make a great architect or builder, He has an inventive nature.

The latest addition to the sun sign as Kunkle had said, shocked horoscope believers. In fact many people says that they would still use the zodiac sign that they get used to and not the new one.

****Kunkle's Ophiuchus zodiac sign is now being criticized by other astrologer and said to be a hoax and is unacceptable. Astrologer Rob Brenzy says ignore the misinformation, and that there is nothing wrong with the zodiac sign and it isn't changing.

In an article from Time.com it says leading astrological experts say this won't change things at all. That's because Western astrology strictly adheres to the tropical zodiac, which is fixed to seasons.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

AN UPDATE ON THE FEAST OF THE BLACK NAZARENE 2011


Right after the mass in Quirino Grandstand that was led by Fr. Anton Pascual, devotees of the Black Nazarene  rushed to the stage of  Quririno Grandstage where the image was enshrined since last Saturday for the "pahalik". Devotees hurriedly climb up the stage for them to be the first to wipe their face towels on the image of the Black Nazarene and be able to grab the rope that will be use to pull the carriage of the Black Nazarene. Father Anton Pascual led the Lord's prayer for the devotees to be pacified. The priest  asked devotees to kneel down.  The cross was even dislodged from the image due to the uncontrollable  male devotees who were excited and can't wait to carry the image. It took a couple of minutes before the image was brought to the "Andas" (carriage).  This was similar to last year's celebration wherein the image was placed on the left side of the stage. Devotees was uncontrollable, they tried to grab the rope and climb the platform where the image is, even though the mass is still going on.
Thanks God there were no reported death in this year's celebration but there were around 700 people who sought medical attention. 
Quirino Grandstand turned out to be like a dumpsite after millions of devotees left the ground to join the " TRANSLACION". Thanks to our MMDA clearing group who were dedicated to their job, who immediately clean the area.
The procession of the Black Nazarene took 16 hours; it started 8am right after the image of the Black Nazarene was placed on the carriage at the Quirino Grandstand and reaches Quiapo Church at 12 midnight.

 Here are some pictures I took in this year's celebration.



at the Qurino Grandstand




replicas of the Black Nazarene

one of the banner used by a group of devotees



ati-atihan who joined the parade at Echague, Manila


devotees waiting for the procession



MMDA Band





vendors around the vicinity of  Sta.Cruz, Manila


waiting for the Black Nazarene

 volunteers, ambulances and rescue missions



 parade along Echague street.

 banners at the beginning of the procession



the Black Nazarene

Saturday, January 8, 2011

THE FEAST OF THE BLACK NAZARENE 2011




One of the most widely attended feast in the Philippines is the feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila which is annually held every January 9. Millions of devotees from all walks of life come to the Saint John the Baptist Church which is also known as the Basilica Minor of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila to take part in the procession which is called as the TRANSLACION to fulfill their vow to the patron and for their personal wishes to be granted.

There are three occasions every year wherein the life size image of the Black Nazarene was brought out for procession. New Year's day, his feastday which is January 9, and every Good Friday.

HISTORY
The image was brought to Manila, Philippines by an Augustinian Recollect priest In May, 1606 onboard in a galleon from Acapulco, Mexico. It was made by an unknown Mexican carpenter. On its way to the Philippines,  the ship unfortunately caught fire that burnt the image of the Nazarene. The charring of the image made it black thus the name Black Nazarene came from.  The people preserve and give honor to the "Black Nazarene".
The image of the Black Nazarene was initially placed in Bagumbayan, which is known today as the Rizal Park. The image was then transferred to San Nicolas de Tolentino in Intramuros in 1608. It was then the Archbishop of Manila who ordered the transfer of the image of Black Nazerene to the St. John the Baptist church in Quiapo in 1787. The Black Nazarene was once damaged during a procession when
it was accidentally being hit by a stray bullet in its left cheek in 1990's.

There are reports that a lot of devotees who touches the image of the Black Nazarene received miracles.
During the time of the Spaniards, Filipino male devotees were called Cofradia de Santo Cristo Jesus Nazareno. Cofradia started with a group of male devotees who came from well off and financially stabled families. Today, regardless of status in life, male devotees were called as the Hijos del Nazareno Jesus and female devotees were known as the Ladies of the Black Nazarene. 

Devotees who joined the procession walk barefooted as a sign of humility and wears maroon shirt which is the color of the dress of the Black Nazarene. They carry with them a white face towel which they used to wave when they see the Black Nazarene while yelling " VIVA SENOR". 

This year, it will be the 404th feast of the Black Nazarene. It is expected that there will be more devotees who will join the annual procession as January 9 this year falls on a Sunday which is a day for worship. Every year, devotees gradually increase in number because many Filipinos believe that through devotion to the Black Nazarene they will have long life, good health, deliverance from disasters and calamities, peace of mind, joy, and prosperity.

PRAYER TO JESUS OF NAZARENE
O most sweet Jesus Nazarene, My God and Redeemer. who hast trodden the road to Calvary with the weight of the cross on Thy shoulder: look down on me a sinner who is now giving praise to Thy suffering. I also thank Thee for saving through thy meed acceptance of suffering on the cross. 
Forgive me my sins, O good Jesus. I acknowledge my weaknesses and I trust that out of  Thy boundless mercy. Thou wilt wash with Thy blood my innumerable sins. I love thee above all things and I promise to be faithful to thy commandments unto the hour of my death. 
Be with me Lord and guide my steps so that I may reach the end of this earthly journey to the kingdom of heaven, Amen.

HYMN TO THE BLACK NAZARENE
(AWIT SA MAHAL NA POONG NUESTRO PADRE JESUS NAZARENO)

"Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno
Sinasamba ka namin. Pinipintuho ka namin.
Aral mo ang aming buhay at kaligtasan.
Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno
KIligtas mo kami sa kasalanan
Ang Krus mong kinamatayan
Ay sagisag ng aming kaligtasan
Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno
Dinarangal ka namin
Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno
Niluluwalhati ka namin."


Sunday, January 2, 2011

HELLO 2011, GOODBYE 2010!!!!

Happy New Year 2011.


To my family, friends, followers, subscribers, and visitors, a Happy and Prosperous New Year to all of you!!!!! 

Thanks to all of you who keeps on visiting my blog even though I wasn't updating my blog regularly this past few weeks due to my busy schedules. 

I'll do my best to this year to give you more informative and interesting articles. 

I am wishing you all the best this year! May the blessings of the Lord enrich your family and friends, not only in wealth but in health, love and happiness.

ps: you can add me on facebook 
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