WHAT IS A STIGMATA?

Any sores, bodily marks, sensations of pain in locations corresponding to the crucifixion wounds of Jesus such as the hands, feet, In some cases, rope marks on the wrists have accompanied the wounds on the hands are called Stigmata( wikipedia.org). The stigmata is the spontaneous appearance or manifestations of bloody wounds on a person's body that is similar to that of  Jesus Christ. It is  the wounds made by the nail on hands and feet, the wounds made by the crown of thorns on the head, the scourge marks on the body, the wound made by the lance on the side of the body and the wounds at the wrist made by the cords. Wounds of Stigmatics varies. There are stigmatas that are not just wounds that is circular in shape because of the nails but there are also wounds that have an unusual shape such as a cross. There are cases of a Stigmatist or stigmatic person wherein there are no visible marks but feels the pain and sufferings, these occurrences are  considered as invisible stigmata.  A stigmata may be temporary, within a period of time or even permanent but usually the wounds that appear heals a few hours after its appearance and then re-appear. Stigmatics are often Catholics and are mostly women.
We know that blood have an rusty iron like or stale smell but the blood that ooze from the wounds of a stigmatist have an odor described as an heavenly smell or known as ODOUR OF SANCTITY. The most popular stigmatist of the 20th century was Padre Pio.

Other Known stigmatics were:


GIOVANNI FRANCESCO DI BERNARDONE or known as ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI - Receive his stigmata in 1224. He was the first person who manifests the wounds of the passion of Christ.
St. Catherine di Ricci                                                        
Zlatko Sudac
St. John of God
Marie Rose Ferron
Blessed Lucia Brocadelli of Narni
Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich
Saint Gemma Galgani
Saint Marie of the Incarnation
Saint Pio of Pietrelcina
Saint Rita of Cascia
Marthe Robin
St. Gertrude
St. Lidwine
St. Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi
St. Mary Frances of the Five Wounds
Bl. Angela of Foligno
Anna Maria Taïgi

There were people who said they manifest the wounds of Jesus but thorough investigations made by the Church revealed that their wounds were self inflicted and some of them were diagnosed to have been suffering from a a certain psychological disorder called Munchausen syndrome. People with Munchausen syndrome have an intense desire for attention.  A self inflicted stigmata heals naturally but a true stigmatic's wound would heal after a few hours after it has appeared. Based on the stories of those who bore stigmata, the wounds and the pains usually were present during Thursdays and Fridays. Stigmata sometimes were accompanied by other unexplainable phenomenon such as prophecy. Others can live with just a little amount of food or water such as in the case of St. Catherine of Siena and Angela of Foligno.
 
There are skeptics who  doesn't believe about the mysticism of Stigmata. Some think that there are scientific explanations on this cases such as Psychogenic Purpura. Others said that this things were work of the Evil forces but I believe these things happened miraculously and those who bore stigmata were chosen  by the Creator to be his servant, to be a living proof that God really exist.

MY NEW BLOG SITE

My blog spice up your life will be turning a year old. In Spice up your life, I wrote articles that I think would be of interest to my readers that's why it say let's talk anything and everything under the sun. Today, I am launching this new blog ( A journey beyond imagination) which is about scary articles and stories. I know many people love to read stories and articles that would send chills down their spine. To other blog authors, exchange links to your scary sites are welcome. Readers are also welcome to send their mysterious or spooky stories or any suggestions on topics that you would like to read on my blog.






Thanks,

THE 2011 BINIBINING PILIPINAS WINNERS

                                                               photos from bbpilipinas2011.com

The long wait is over! After a couple of months of controversies and hardship through screenings and practices, the 40 ( traditionallly 24) official candidates face the moment of truth early morning of April 11, 2011.
The host of the Binibining Pilipinas 2011 were beauty titlist Ms. Miriam Quaiambao and Ms. Precious Lara Quigaman together with Ms. KC Concepcion and Mr. Derek Ramsey. The 40 official Bb. Pilipinas candidates presented themselves before the judges and spectators.
This years judges were:
1.  Mr. Alex Cabagnot
2.  Mr. David Charlton
3.  Mr. Gilbert Simpao
4.  Mr. Anthony Charlemagne Yu
5.  Ms. Charo Santos-Concio
6.  Consul Hugh Wilson
7.  Mr. Cristino "Bong" Naguiat Jr.
8.  Mr. Ernie Lopez
9.  Hon. Secretary Edwin Lacierda
10. Gen. Eduardo Oban
11. Ms. Margie Moran Floreindo
12. Ms. Silvana Fornari
13. His Excellency Hans Danenberg

Before the swimsuit presentation, special awards were given to;

Candidate # 31 - Ms. Samantha Purvor - Ms. Friendship Award which was awarded by Bb. Pilipinas 2008 1st runner-up
Ms. Danielle Castano

Candidate # 26 - Ms. Shamcey Supsup - Ms. Talent Award which was awarded by Bb. Pilipinas 2001 Ms. International Ms. Maricar Tolosa

Candidate # 26 - Ms. Shamcey Supsup - Ms. Philippine Airlines (PAL) - awarded by Ms. Badette Cunanan and Ms. Barbie Atienza

Candidate # 23 - Ms. Luzelle Felipe - Manila Bulletin Reader's choice Award - awarded by Ms. Joana Sarmiento

Candidate # 26 - Ms. Shamcey Supsup - Ms.Creamsilk  which was awarded by Mr. Gilbert Simpao

After the candidates have paraded the stage in their swimsuit, the top finalist were chosen;

CANDIDATE  #  6  - PATRICIA TUMULAK                                        # 26 - SHAMCEY SUPSUP
                    #  8  - CHRISTINA MARASIGAN                                 # 27 - JANINE TUGONON
                    # 11 - DIANA AREVALO                                            # 30 - KATHLEEN SUBIJANO
                    # 13 - QUENNIERICH REHMAN                                 # 32 - JENN ROE GUBAT     
                    # 16 - SABRINNE AL-TAWIL                                      # 33 - DIANNE NECIO
                    # 19 - WENDY LUCAS                                              # 34 - MARY JEAN LASTIMOSA
                    # 23 - LUZELLE FELIPE                                            # 37 - SARAH NICOLE CLENCI
                    # 25 - ISABELLA MANJON

All 15 candidate shows how smart they are in the Question and Answer portion of the pageant, the candidates were ask individually by a judge which was electronically picked by the computer. Those who was unable to join the list of the semi-finalist, comeback on stage for the announcement of the remaining special awards.
This years Best in Swimsuit goes to candidate # 13, Ms. Queenierich Rehman, Best in Long Gown goes to Ms. Luzelle Felipe and the Face of the Binibining Pilipinas 2011 goes to Ms. Angelia  Ong.
Matteo Gudicelli and Sam Milby serenaded last years winners, Maria Venus Raj, who was crowned as the Bb. Pilipinas  Universe 2010, Krista Kleiner Bb.Pilipinas International 2010, and Czarina Gatbonton Bb. Pilipinas World 2010.


Candidate #34 Mary Jane Lastimoso was announced 2nd runner-up and candidate # 27 Janine Tugonon was the 1st runner-up. This years Bb. Pilipinas Tourism 2011 is candidate # 25 Isabella Manjon, Bb. Pilipinas International 2011 is candidate # 33 Dianne Necio and the Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2011 title goes to candidate # 26 Shamcey Supsup.


Shamcey Supsup  finished BS Architecture at the University of the Philippines and was a magna cum laude. She is 24 years old and from General Santos City. She was also a board topnotcher. Shamcey will compete in Brazil this November to represent the Philippines in the prestigious Miss Universe beauty pageant.


(the author does not claim ownership of the photo posted, no copyright infringement intended)

OBSERVANCE OF HOLY WEEK IN THE PHILIPPINES

It's Holy Week once again, the time when Catholics do their penance and commemorates the passion and death of Jesus Christ to save mankind. So how exactly do Filipinos celebrate Holy Week?

Starting on Palm Sunday, the day were we commemorate the victorious entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. In the Philippines, during Palm Sunday, sidewalks near the church were full of vendors selling Palaspas or decorated palm leaves. Filipinos go to church early in the morning of Palm Sunday with their Palaspas to be blessed by the officiating priest. After the mass, the blessed palm leaves are placed on the front doors of their homes which they believed is an effective way to ward off bad spirits and spare their homes from being struck by lightning. The palm fronds will be left on their front door until the next Palm Sunday on the following year.

Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, Holy Wednesday -  During this time of the year, for many Catholics it is a time of prayer and reflection. In many places in the Philippines it is the start their traditional Holy Week  "Pabasa" which literally means reading, it is where the poetic prayer of life to resurrection of Jesus Christ is sung/chanted. It is also locally known as "Pasyon".


Maundy Thursday - the day in observance of the Last Supper. the washing of the feet,  the blessing of the bread and wine which symbolizes the body and blood of Jesus Christ. It is also a tradition in the Philippines during Maundy Thursday to visit 7 different churches which is known as Visita Iglesia. During Visita Iglesia, most Catholics make the 14 stations. There were also diocese who celebrate Chrism Mass during Maundy Thursday. Chrism Mass is an annual gathering of all clergies wherein priests renew the vows which they made when they were ordained. Mass of Chrism was derived from the name of the "consecrated oil" itself. The Oil of Chrism/Holy Chrism/Sanctum Chrisma  is used in the administration of the sacraments of  baptism, confirmations and Holy Orders, in the consecration of things such as altar, paten, bells, chalices, and water for baptism.

On Good Friday Christians commemorates the passion and death of Christ, the seven last words { siete palabras ), the way of the cross (Via Crucis), there are also numerous street processions and stage plays locally known as "Senakulo".
During Good Fridays there were devotees who practice self-flagellation and some do their penance by having themselves crucified. Also on Good Friday, thousands of devotees of the Black Nazarene flock to Quiapo Church to join the morning procession.

Black Saturday - a day of silence and solemnity. Some are busy preparing for events on Easter Sunday.

Easter Sunday - This is the end of the 40 day lent.  On Easter Sunday, at pre-dawn, there were 2 different procession which starts from 2 different points. One of them carries the image of the risen Christ and the other one carries the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary which is covered by black veil. The procession will meet at a point where a little girl dressed up as an angel  and was positioned on a high platform awaits to unveil the image of Mary which signifies that Mary has met his risen son. There are also some who have Easter parties for children which involves Easter egg hunting.

                                                                    amulets from Quiapo, Manila

Filipinos are indeed fascinated with talismans/amulets which is locally known as anting-anting. During Lenten Season specially on Good Fridays, those who possess amulets sanctify and recharge its power. They go to certain places such as Mt. Banahaw which is known as the mystic mountain or a   

haven for people search or spirituality.
 

              Mount Banahaw

Many Catholics believe that penance through crucifixion and self-flagellation would save their souls from the fires of hell, although this lenten tradition has been practiced in the Philippines by many Catholics for decades, church officials discouraged extreme corporal mortification. Also the Department of Health have given warning to flagellants for the possibilities of being infected with tetanus.
I agree with the church officials who were against this kind of penance. The observance of Lenten Season should be sacred. Instead of self mortification, why not have their repentance from sins the right way, which I believe is through meditation, fasting and abstinence.




                                                                         flagellants from Pampanga