Building Day 41

cement blocks to the ceiling



pretty soon cement blocks will be hidden completely



Parish Christmas Party - Dec. 26

members of the Youth group

The theme was "Pasko nanaman, Pagibig ay naghahari"

"It's Christmas again; love reigns"

These words are lyrics from a popular Christmas song.  It's the 

song the groups danced to.

members of the red team, of which I'm part: include:
Lectors/Commentators, Catholic Women's League, etc

more red team, our dancers won the dance contest

Entertainment during supper

some of the prizes:
washing machine, rice, cell phones,
toaster oven, thermos, rice cookers, etc

Members of Couples for Christ hosted the party.

Christmas

These women are part of the Mother Butler guild.
They are ushers.  After Mass they count the money given
during offertory.  Notice their uniform.

Mary and Joseph looking for a place.

The three kings

Altar servers escorting the Holy Family.  Notice the altar servers' dress shirts.
I enlarged this picture so one can see the servers' dress shirts.
During weekday or Sunday Masses,
they wear the usual servers' outfits:  long white albs.  

In preparation for his visit to the Philippines,
the church in the Philippines decided to give parishes
life-size cutout of Pope Francis.

"Christmas" started with Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo on Dec. 16. Mass was at 4 am.  The first two days I stood the entire hour or so.  The last nine days I went to the choir loft and was able to find a chair.  Mass was over about between 5:15 and 5:30.  Priests from the area switched churches.  Once we waited 20 minutes because the priest was late.

After Mass different households served a simple breakfast. I was able to partake once because I didn't know the other hosts and didn't feel comfortable going.  Of course there's no such thing here in Pililla.  Often people go to others' homes even if they don't know them.  All nine days I returned to sleep as soon as I arrived home.

Christmas Eve Church services started at 8 pm with different choirs singing.  At 9 we had "Panunuluyan", the equivalent of Los Posadas, when Mary and Joseph searched for a place, in the end shown the stable, shepherds came.  Members of the Youth Ministry put this on.  

Mass began at 10 and it was over at 11:30.  Liturgy was beautiful.  All who served (lectors, Eucharistic ministers, altar servers) wore Pilipino national dress (barong for males).

"Noche Buena":  ham, fried chicken, chili con carne, spaghetti, hamonado.  There were all sorts of desserts and fruits as well.  Ate Diday's house was full!  Three generations of Maranans, including in-laws talked, laughed, sang, danced, and played games.  The youngest was 7 months;  the oldest was 69 years old.  

I went to sleep at 1:30 am, but the party was still going strong.  

Forgiveness

When I was a child lots of kids came and played at our house and back area.  I remember a time when I pushed a boy into the fish pond.  He had been acting like an acrobat, walking the tight rope, as he walked the perimeter of the fish pond. Perhaps I was jealous that he was able to do so with such ease that I pushed him into the fish pond.  His sister screamed, "Help my brother; he's drowning."

When I returned to the house, Nanay was furious with me.  She told me to go to confession.  When I got to church and made confession, the priest asked if I was sorry for my sin.  I told him no, that the boy had been bragging.  The priest in turn was angry and told me to get out.

When I went home, I remember my grandmother punishing me.  During my time out, as I sat alone I remember thinking how did my grandmother know that I had not been sorry for my sin?

I often recall this incident to my students when I discipline them.  I tell them that as much as my Nanay loved me, she also punished me when I made mistakes.  

Fast forward at least 40 years (I don't know exactly when the incident happened). I was at a meeting and Jaime Vidanes reintroduced himself to me.  He asked if I remembered pushing a boy into the fish pond.  I said yes.  Jaime told me he was that boy.  I was mortified and asked for his forgiveness.  He said, "Wala iyon (It's nothing.)"  I told him it can't be "nothing", and that I had really gotten punished by Nanay because of what I did.   

Since then each time I see Jaime, he greets me and asks how was my day.  I guess he has forgiven me.

Taina and Jaime Vidanes by the fish pond

 Jaime and his son Jon Mhik

Building Day 37

kitchen sink area

area for generator

back of the house

notice the bathroom window panes

closer up view of bathroom window panes

Ode to Lolas

Hand in hand

Tess Guia and her granddaughter Maye

walking down the Boulevard.
You are their heroes
They are your future.

In their faces you see your own
The same yet different.
Their dreams based on stories
They heard from your lips.

Tess Maranan and her grandkids.
Yes, she only has 1 granddaughter.

Maring Flaminiano and her granddaughter Brielle.

Edna Santos and her granddaughter Aice.

Nina Tibay and her granddaughter Kasumi.

Your time freely given
To tell of long ago.
Heart to heart connections
They'll love you forever.
Your name chanted
Through the ages.

I know for my lola gone these
Thirty-seven years
Is with me still.

Ate Diday's "real" birthday

This gathering was at home.

This cake was given by the neighbors.

Today was the first time I ate watermelon
this visit.  (You know how I love this fruit!)

showmai, lumpia, pancit, lechon,
chicken in chili sauce

Ate Diday's birthday

Luncheon held at Conti's Bakery and Restaurant in Mandaluyong.
Ate Diday was very surprised.
The family had combined a trip to the doctor with this gathering.

We had lots of food; I didn't have time to take pictures.
 kare kare, tofu with mushrooms, relenong bangus,
fresh lumpia, sotanghon, chicken pastel, crab salad, macaroni salad
bbq chicken wings, steak, fried chicken, etc.

original family:
Ate Maring (red shirt), Ate Diday, Julie,
Kuya Marcial (standing behind Julie)

P.S.  Ate Maring is holding her granddaughter Brielle.
I've seen this baby several times now.
I think she'll let me hold her when we get together at Christmas. 

sort of an ice cream cake

original family:
Ellen (yellow shirt) and her twin Edna (next to Ellen)

with extended family:
nieces and nephews, sister-in-law

dessert along with the b-day cake,
missing was a picture of the halo halo

Happy Birthday to me

It was a gorgeous day!  I woke up at 3:15 and attended the third Simbang Gabi.  I was actually cool on my walk to church and at church.

When I returned to Ate Diday's, I took a 40 minute nap.  When I awoke I changed into a long-sleeved shirt and walked to the cemetery.  I spent some time at my grandparents' grave.

On my way back to Ate Diday's, I stopped when the drum and lyre group from St. Peter the Apostle School passed.  I spotted Imang Pasamba, a retired teacher whom I recently met .  I ended up walking the parade route with her and her grandson.  Praise the Lord the wind blew; it was comfortable.

Lunch was held at the old house.  Ate Diday cooked hamonado and rice; Ate Nene cooked carbonara.

Isabel (Abe) and Ate Nene
These women were classmates at the Academy,
Class of 64

Tess Guia and granddaughter Maye.
Tess has told me that we were playmates as children.

Ate Tessie and Tess Liyag Marcelino
Tess Marcelino was one of our playmates.
She her family used to live in the downstairs portion
of the old house.

Kuya Warly sitting on the window sill.
Ate Diday in the forefront.

Men who are working at the house.
Tito Ramon is the one wearing glasses.

Men working at the house.

Men working at the house.
Mar, 2nd cousin is wearing green.

desserts:  maha, casava, papaya

Delicious papaya provided by Ate Dada's family.
Maha, the whitish dessert was made by Ate Tessie.

Casava provided by Tita Titang,
brought by daughter-in-law Tess.