3 Signs that the Significant Other Loves You

Love with the significant other is a wonderful thing.
Sharing that kind of love is Bryan and Rani.

If we can only pry open into the minds of our significant other, to know if he really loves us, it would spare us girls a lot of sleepless nights. Women, by nature, have the tendency to look at things with rose-colored glasses, when they are madly in love. Nonetheless, there are telltale signs to know if it is the real thing or not. 

Three of the more significant ones, follow:

• He is always at your side and can come up with the most preposterous excuses just to be near you. It can range from -- he sleep walked and suddenly found himself in your place; he thought that you were down with flu so he absented himself to be near you, and; he is dying of a heart ailment and has to spend the last moments with his loved one! Well, depending on the degree of love that you have for him----you can either accept the “high fallutin” discourses, or just throw him out for being a nuisance. The decision is yours. 

• He talks to you in a language that seemed to have a life of its own --- soft, sweet, teasing, and punctuated with all the lovey talks like: honey, darling, angel, my love --- and the kind of sweetness that will make you see ants crawl under your skin. He gets so engrossed with all the little things that you do, as if his life depended on it. In short, he is one crazy guy who is deeply enamored of you. Yes, YOU! 

• He easily gets fascinated with all the little things that you do for him: cooking his favorite meal, showing up as his date for an office party, bathing his dog, and sometimes, by simply doing nothing. He likes everything about you: how you walk, smile, the persona that you exude, and even the off moments where you have ----unkempt hair, old clothes, unmade up face---- everything!

BOTTOMLINE

If you happen to find this man, then by all means ----- grab him! Tie him down where he can no longer escape! That guy truly loves you and he is your man! 

#significant_other   #love

Photo credit: Robert Bryan Ingente

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Onli in da Pilipins: A Writer's Journal
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Love and the Significant Other

Coming home from work, you find the significant other sprawled on the sofa, with the house in total disarray. It is a sight that disgusts you; and you want to run away. As a couple who has been together for the past decade, housework should have been the least of your worries. It should not pose as a problem between the man lying on the sofa, and you --- the harried wife. 

You see the living area as a total mess with him doing nothing. All his things were sprawled on the floor, like it was one dumping area. If you still had the energy after work, you might not have minded it much. But you are dead tired, and all of this mess gnaws in your being.

The whole place was like a war zone with only a single living thing on it. There you see him contentedly sprawled on the sofa,  watching baseball; while gulping down bottles upon bottles of beer. The significant other must have noticed you, as he looks sideways and winked! With a big smile on his face, he coyly said, "I love you honey!"

What do you say?  Love conquers all!  :)

Photo credit: Pixabay.com by music4life

#significant_other
#love

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Writing a Marketing Campaign

I looked at the document that was sent to me by a client for re-write. I stared at it, and stared some more, and yelled,

"Uughht! This marketing campaign stinks!"

You don’t use high fallutin’ words when you make a sales pitch! You don’t go around the bush to confuse your prospective buyer! When you attempt to make a sale, you go direct to the point and zero in on what you want. Everything should be written in simple English that can be understood by a 4th grader. Literary writing is different from business writing. Heck! a sales pitch is even different from any kind of writing!

My client is a learned man, who happens to be a licensed real estate broker. The only good thing about our relationship is that he listens to me. I hope he listens to me this time. The marketing campaign draft  that he sent me looks like a thesis for a masteral degree. After revision, he will not recognize this draft when I am done with it!

I hope he doesn't fire me, though!

Ohlala! LOL!

Have a good day everyone! Just having fun here!

#marketing_campaign

Photo credit: Pixabay.com by Geralt

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Modus Operandi of Budol-Budol Gang In Las Pinas City

Las Pinas General Hospital and Trauma Center
Photo credit: http://commons.wikimedia.org/ by Charles Boris Manez

Tne Budol-Budol Gang (crime syndicates) that has been plaguing Metro Manila, has reared its ugly in Las Pinas City, where I reside. This morning, I went out to buy a few things in the nearby mall. As it is just a few meters away from the entrance to our subdivision, I opted to walk along the side streets of the national highway, walking slowly as I am prone to do. While on my way, I bumped into  a distraught woman, who inquired about where to find a certain store. I must have looked friendly and unsophisticated, that she choose me from among the people traversing the streets. 

She said further, that she had already spent P300 for taxi fare, and was fooled by the taxi driver, so she had to walk as she had no more money left. I knew that something was amiss, since the locals would normally take a jeepney to find a place, and not ride a taxi cab. The latter is not practical, and you spend more since the flag down rate is more expensive than the jeepney fare.

Besides, the  jeepney would have other passengers who  can tell you about where to drop off. Hence, this mode of transportation is cheaper and safer. The woman wanted me to accompany her to the place, which she said,  was just along the highway. I smelled something fishy, and looked around to find  a police officer. I saw one at the corner of the street and told her to inquire from him. 

Members of Budol-Budol Gang before being imprisoned
Photo credit: liveinthephilippines.com

At the next instant, two women stopped by, to inform us on where to find the place. At this juncture, I knew that something was fishy. This is a budol-budol gang who was out for a grab, and with me as their target. I moved out of there immediately, and told the two women to just accompany her since they know the place better.

I left hastily and never turned back to see on what they did after that. Nonetheless, I never saw them following my route, which they pinpointed as where the place is. That just confirmed my suspicion that it was a budol-budol gang in operation. They are now plying the streets of Las Pinas City to look for people to victimize. 

The moral of the story: Better be wary always and never trust anyone while on the streets. Thinking smart could save your life.

+budol_budol_gang
+Las_Pinas_City

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Hot Momma for a Friend

Hot Mommas can be a real friend, but can be a  pest, too!
Photo credit: Pixabay.com by Mariamichelle

Hot Momma is a maverick of a friend, who gives me hell at the most inappropriate time. She is a next door neighbor, whose recreation revolves around to pestering me at every chance she's got!

A few days ago, while going about my business, I saw...

One writer who came out with a post about things that we can write about. It was a magazine type listing that anyone can use in coming up with his articles – in case he runs out of ideas.

I commented, that I never run out of ideas. My life is full of materials that all I do is cannibalize it, if there is nothing sensible to write about. I don’t say that my life is sensible: but, since it's the only one I got ---  I define the world as how I define myself.

Dealing with Hot Momma can be a pain at times.
Photo credit: Pixabay.com by Open Clips

I had this assignment that kept me busy the last few days. Today, my time runs out as I still lack ten articles that I needed to write. I sent an e-mail to the client to extend my time for another two days. I have no response yet, so I cranked out this rant.

Why didn’t I finish? Well, I have friends, that for lack of better things to do, make it a point to come barging in,  to give me hell! One of them is a character, whom I call ---Hot Mamma! When she came to know that I was writing about Christian prayers, she looked around to see, if I was burning! She said, that all the prayers were enough to fry me alive! Lol!

I sometimes threaten her with bodily harm (like cutting off her wig) if she does not stop pestering me. She just laughs if off and says, that my world will be dull and gray without her!

Come to think of it, this pesky character, who loves to being called "Hot Momma"  is right! :D

#hot_momma
#friend

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Problems with Plagiarism in Online Content

View of Tagaytay Highlands
Photo credit: Maryann Suller Macatlang

Writing portals are faced with plagiarism in online content many times. This morning, I rested for a little while, and decided to read several business articles on one site. I noticed two to three posters doing superb work on financial investments and stock trading. Since I do a lot of work on this niche, I decided to go over their work. They were superb! I have not seen anything like it except on the Economic Review or the Washington Post.

What I did next was to look at the profile pages and see the background of the writers. I read  their previous postings so as to know more about them. There was nothing said in their profile. I noticed that one writer has a different writing style for every post, and that made me wonder if he wrote all of the articles himself.

The other one came up with such superb work, that I knew  right away that I have read them somewhere. Voila! The plagiarism checker revealed that it was copied from the internet ---verbatim. If you are 24 years old, with no track record in finance work, and writes like the financial gurus of Wall Street ---nobody is going to believe you. It’s either you are a financial whiz, or you copied the whole darned thing from cyberspace!

Old Ifugao carving of a man counting his produce
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain

These types of online submissions should have been rejected outright. I don’t think Google is going to like them over the long term. Having so many problematic contents at one portal is a dangerous thing. With the recent Google Panda update, the presence of numerous plagiarized content on a site would be detrimental --- like, having their Adsense removed.

Let us hope that writing sites install an auto –check feature that would stop problematic contents from being submitted. Plagiarism is a blatant insult to the reader and the entire writing community.

Have a good day everyone! :)

#plagiarism
#online writing

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How to Avoid Depression in Young Adults

  

Depression can devastate anyone if not treated immediately.
It can lead to despair and loneliness.

 Depression is a sickness that strikes young adults today. It is marked with a person's inability to do routine functions, coupled with feelings of helplessness, and despair.

We cannot prevent to being stricken by life's adversities. It comes like a thief in the night and before we know it, we see ourselves lethargic and unable to face the world.Sometimes, people get depressed with the flimsiest of reasons: rejection, unable to cope, lack of doable goals, and separation.

Some can easily brush off the initial stages; but, there are others who may find it hard to cope

You stare in the mirror, and all you see is an empty world.

How do we prevent depression from creeping in?

• Take yourself lightly - You are not the prettiest, handsomest, or the most intelligent person in the world. You are just one among the many, so don't strut your stuff.
• Never be afraid to be alone. Learn the joys of being happy by yourself. Nobody knows you better, than you.
• Let your guards down. Some people go through life building walls, and afraid of being seen in their naked (emotional) glory. Trash those walls and let people see you as you are.
• Enjoy the simplest things - the pit-pattering of the rain, a nice smile, birds flying in the sky, a good meal, a good book, and sleeping tightly at night.
• Always feel the presence of God Almighty. Knowing that you walk in God's path is the most wonderful feeling of all and the best antidote for depression.

The world may seem scary and chaotic...

Bottomline

The world can be one scary place for any young adult. It is full of anxieties, worries, frustrations, and rejections. Oftentimes, it can be a lonely place where you may feel all alone and empty. If you only look at your own sphere, and reflect on the immediate things that surround you, the world can be a small lonely place.

However, including others into your sphere, and looking at things from other people's point of view, could lead to a more meanigful and happier life. Feelings of depression can be avoided if you begin to appreciate the little things in others: the chirping of birds outside your window, blooms of flowers in your garden, laughter from children, watching a good movie, sleeping snuggly in bed, and having a hot coco before you hit the sack, among others -- can change the way on how you look at the world.

These are just some of the ways on how to avoid depression as a young adult. You may  still add to this list, to come up with a better plan to stay happy and depression-free. 

Have a nice day!

#depression_in_young-adults
Photo credit: With permission from Leogine Gumangan

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Palm Sunday at the Holy Family Church in BF Homes, Las Pinas

The Holy Week in the Philippines starts with Palm Sunday that is celebrated in all churches of the country. Catholics observe this solemn holiday, by fasting and self-reflection, on the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. Our little community in Las Pinas, is no exception. Masses were held from early morning to late at night. Devotees buy coconut palms, creatively intertwined together for P20 each outside of our Parish Church. I was there to hear the mass in the late afternoon and saw entire families --- from the toddlers to grandma and grandpa attending Mass together. The toddlers, were running around, singing and yelling, to the consternation of their parents. The elders, who can barely walk, have caregivers attend to their needs. It was like a town fiesta, minus the food, and the church was the center of the celebration. 

The entry of the priest and the lay ministers signaled the start of the mass. It was an awesome sight, with parishioners waving their palms as the parish priest walked by. It is ingrained among the faithful, that during the holy mass, the priest becomes a personification of Christ. That within the august halls of the church, angels and all the saints, are within our midst. For the faithful, the mass can be a solemn celebration, where they can partake of the body of Christ during communion. Looking around, I felt the solemnity of the occasion, but was also aware of the commerce outside of the confines of the church. A few meters away, was a plastic sheet (trapal) covered structure that sold beauty products --- makeup, perfumes, lotions, hair brushes, make-ups, and many others. I never understood this, and would have understood it better if the items sold were religious artifacts or donations to charities. 

Fifty meters away, are the stalls of Mang Raul and Krom, that sells barbeques and Isaw. Counting the cars that were parked in the area, I would have guessed that around one fourth of church goers were in those places ---gobbling beer while partaking of the sumptuous fare of barbequed isaw. I was not an exception, though. As I bought a hundred pesos worth of isaw and pancit bihon from the stalls. So much for Pinoy religiosity, I am ready by the start of Holy Week up till Easter Sunday! A pious week ahead, everyone!

#Holy-Week
#Palm-Sunday

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Review: BPI Family Bank, Pamplona Tres, Las Pinas

The BPI Family Bank in BFB Building, is situated along Real Street right across the Lozada Market in Las Pinas City. It is a small branch with an amiable staff headed by the Bank Manager, Ms. Ana Marie Lim. I was there this morning to open a UITF (Unit Investment Trust Fund) in High Yield Dividend Investment.

It was nothing grand, just an initial salvo on the equities market by way of a UITF investment. Ms. Lim was ever solicitous and tried to explain to me the intricacies of this financial instrument. She showed me other types of instruments and the graphs of price trends in the last one year.

She must have been worried that I may not have the financial savvy of a wannabe investor. I assured her that I know my numbers and I am familiar with stock trading. I informed her further that I am a freelance writer who writes about the financial markets, so I know what I am getting into.

Ms. Lim is a friendly person who epitomizes trustworthiness in banking institutions. She looks kind, the type whom you wouldn't mind putting your hard-earned money into. Like the BPI Group, she represents an institution that is reliable, trustworthy, and stable. I am quite certain that whatever little money that I may have with them, will be in safe hands.

Photo credit:  Soldier's Investment:UITF

#BPI-Family-Bank

#UITF

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Review: Big B Burgers of Maginhawa Street in UP Diliman

Big Burgers

I bet that anyone who is asked to have a hamburger, will not refuse the offer. Hamburgers have become a food-on-the-run by a majority of Filipinos, which fits everybody's lifestyle.

At the University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman, Quezon City, is where you can find many burger stands. Among the most popular, is the hole-in-the-wall, Big B Burger, situated in the iconic food strip of Maginhawa Street at UP.

It is nothing fancy, a table and chair thing, with no air conditioning, limited seating capacity, and nothing to boast of by way of ambiance, except good delicious hamburgers!

My daughter and I went to the place a few days ago. We ordered the house specialty, the famous Big B Burger Special. It was not really big, but it looks bulky and heavy.

The bulkiness comes from the meat patty with a generous splash of spicy mayo, that gives the bun an added tang. A sprig of lettuce makes for the crunch with every bite.

Our verdict? It's cheap for P90+ a piece and the taste is different from the burgers of McDo, Jollibee, and Cindy's. We love the weighty look and the myriad of flavors, despite us sitting at a very basic store structure.

Like any other burger, this goes well with very cold soda drinks - on the rocks. It is good for brunch as it is very filling and heavy on the stomach. One thing is certain though, we will be back for more.
Big B Burgers, anyone?

Photo credit: Zomato/Big B Burgers

#UP-Diliman #Big-B-Burgers #Maginhawa-Review #Food Review

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Procrastination In Freelance Writing

Looking at a Blank Wall

Procrastination in Freelance writing spells ---disaster. It is when you have a deadline to meet, but your mind does no go along with your body. You just stare at the blank screen and do nothing. It is not because you don't know what to write about; it is the body that does not follow the commands of the brain. I have a 2,000 word report that was due yesterday. I am still looking at it and not doing anything. I started to write the 1st two paragraphs, and it was ok. I have no difficulty doing it. This is something that I am familiar with, but why am I just staring at it now?

I have to force myself to finish this work or I will have an angry employer to contend with. I cannot let this "despicable thing" defeat me. I have to work and put words on that blank screen. If I need to bleed my brains dry just to do it, I will do it. It is my body that is acting up again. I have to do it....I need to do it.... no ifs.....no buts. This is work. This is not an ego trip. I need to work to retain this client. I need to work to earn my keep. I need to work, because this is what I do ---write. Just yapping about when my mind seems to go nowhere. So here I am staring on a blank wall...

Would this be a case of a Writer's Block?

Looking at the clean computer slate, Things start gnashing with your brain grunting, The deadline puts severe strain like a piercing blade, You want to move, but is left wanting. There is a need to act but you're very late, The brain is dead and the body is panting, Unable to move, like being stuck in a cave, Let me soar into the skies as I go flying. Unlock you fool! Unwind if necessary, This is an ailment, and sounds like a cacophony, The zealot in you can crank this up in no time, It's just your bed that beckons you to lie. To think of clouds with a mind that wanders in flight, A deep resolve to survive through this putrid night, So, move those nimble fingers to touch the keys, And let this mighty task be finish at ease!

#procrastination
#freelance-writing
#writers-block

Photo credit: Pixabay.com

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Union Bank Eon Card for Paypal Payment in the Philippines

Union Bank Logo
Photo credit: http://commons.wikimedia.org/Public Domain

Online writers get paid through PayPal either weekly or monthly. There has to be a local intermediary bank, and the least expensive choice is getting an Eon Card from Union Bank. It is rather easy and you can do it online. The initial payment is about P500 and the card is released in a weeks' time.

I didn't know that it was time to renew, until I got an e-mail from PayPay that my card was expiring. Since my daughter is an online writer, I did not renew the card immediately as I can send the paypal payment to her, and she can withdraw the amount for me.

I thought all along that I need to shell out money for the payment of bank fee, but was surprised that I didn't have to pay anything. The only downside, is there is a five day waiting period. Since I submitted it on a Friday, I will get the new card the next Friday. Well, not bad as I can wait.

My daughter uses BPI as her intermediary bank. But most writers that I know, uses the Union Bank Eon Card. Since I used the card solely for online work, I was ashamed to show it to the bank since there is little money left in the account. That will improve next time, when I get to do more freelance work again.

Union Bank's Eon Card
Photo credit:  old.uniobankph.com

Advantages

• Easy to apply at minimal bank fee charges of around P500;

• No need for a maintaining balance;

• 3 to 4 days of waiting time;

 Disadvantage

• Delays happen, where money is withdrawal on the 5th or 6th day;

• Banking charges of US$5 for every transaction below P7,000

Bottom Line

Union Bank's Eon Card, is a decent intermediary bank that can be used for online payment through PayPal. There are several branches in Metro Manila, that you can go to open an account. Whenther you are a new online writer, or  a trader who expects to be paid through PayPal, it would be wise to open up an Eon Card through Union Bank immediately.


#union-bank
#union-bank-eon-card
#paypal


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My Reflections on the Death of Jam Fernando Sebastian

Rest in Peace, Jam Fernando Sebastian

Jam Fernando Sebastian, half of the online tandem, Jamich, passed away at 10:30 am, today, March 4 at the St. Luke's Medical Center in Taguig City. He was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer about a year ago when he underwent routine medical check up. The pain became unbearable January this year that Jam requested for all medications be stopped and he be allowed to die in peace.

However, the family did not accede to this request, and continued with the medication. He was placed under life support last week and his health deteriorated after that. It was just a matter of time, before his body succumbed to the ailment --- and it happened today.

Jam, was part of the tandem of Jamish, a You Tube sensation about Love and Relationships, which boasts of one hundred million views. His partner, Michelle Liggayu, was his real life girlfriend. The couple got engaged last year and their partnership was followed by many, as their online fame shot to a meteoric high.

By Chance, Jamich video that catapulted the duo to fame

Who is Jam Fernando Sebastian

Jam was a You Tube Filipino celebrity, who was born on March 20, 1986. He was half of the Jamish tandem, with Michelle Liggayu, his girlfriend of seven years. His parents were Vilmo Sebastian and Maria Carmen Fernando who are  residents of Las Pinas City, Metro Manila

Jamich became a You Tube sensation with their video, By Chance, which gained seven million views and about half a million subscribers. The couple became officially engaged March last year, when Michelle Liggayu proposed to Jam at the Philippine Internation Convetion Center, in front of hundreds of thousand of fans and supporters.

Mitch marriage proposal to Jam

Jam was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer on the first quarter of 2014. He underwent integrative treatment as a matter of choice. On February 2015, he was placed on life support. He succumbed to lung cancer at 10:30am on  March 4, 2015.

Isaiah 57:1-2 

The righteous man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous man is taken away from calamity; he enters into peace; they rest in their beds who walk in their uprightness.


My Reflection

Jam Fernando Sebastian's death came as a surprise to many. He died of lung cancer, though he is a non smoker. He alleged that he must have inhaled the smoke from friends. Dying at a young age of 28 years old, and at he peak of his personal and professional career, can be devastating to one's friends and family. How can somebody so young and successful, die so soon?

But we do not know the ways of the Lord. We also don't know on when our time on earth is upped. It is always a good thing to wake up in the morning and be at peace with everyone, including those that we love. We cannot tell, if we will still see them again, or that moment will be their last.

God works in mysterious ways. It is always wise to be ready, that when  He calls, we can easily pack up our bags and be with Him to kingdom come --- just like Jam Fernando Sebastian.

Photo credit:  Photo grab from the FB account of Jam Fernando Sebastian

#RIP-Jam

#Jam-Fernando-Sebastian

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EXTREME RELIGIOSITY OF FILIPINOS

Feast of the Black Nazarene
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/ by JSinglador

Religiosity or Fanaticism?

The Philippines is a country of 7,100 islands, with 95% of its citizens, Catholics. As a group, they are known to practice their faith to extremes. The most blatant of which, is their deep sense of religious fervor. In the Feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila, accidents are known to occur that results to physical injuries or even death. Hundreds of devotees are trampled upon by the influx of believers, in a procession that is participated in by millions of people.

What makes devotees participate in this accident-prone festivity, can baffle the mind of any hard-core observer. The sea of people gyrating in the push-shove process just to be near the Black Nazarene is beyond belief. Another festivity is the Pagoda Boat Festival in Laguna, a region south of Manila, where a boat parade in the river is held every year, to venerate the Blessed Virgin. The devotees often jump to the lead boat where the statue of the Blessed Virgin is placed, causing it to capsize and drown a number of people.

Penafrancia Festival
Source: https://remit2homeblog.wordpress.com/

Religious Traditions and Practices

There are now safety provisions imposed by the lay leaders of the festival to avoid further accidents in the last two years. How far the exercise of sobriety can go, is anybody's guess. When asked why they join the festivity, the stock answer is, "panata" or a promise to the Lord to do the same act, until they are physically able. Christianity was brought to the country by Spain hundreds of years ago. However, the practice of the faith have evolved into something far beyond the dreams of any Spanish conquistador, who ever set foot on this island.

The Holy Week which starts on the last week of March till the 1st week of April for 2015, is a celebration of the faith. The countdown starts with Ash Wednesday, to remember that from dust did we come from, to dust we shall return. On that day, Catholics flock to their respective parish churches to have their forehead marked with ash. This act signifies that life on earth is temporary, and the final destination is the heavenly kingdom.

Ash Wednesday
Source:en.wikimedia.org

If practiced in earnest, the marking of ash serves to strenghten ones faith with God. However, some young people just used it to show off to friends that they have gone to church. Whatever that means, is lost on me. If you think that the mark serves as a passport to heaven, you will be disappointed. No way will it make you see the heavenly gates, if there is no piety involve to go with the markings.

Nonetheless, the season is marked with prayers and deep contemplation. In the rural areas,  old women sings the "Pabasa" or the books of prayers from morning till early dawn of the following day, non-stop. This is held on the barrio chapels with partipants numbering from 20 to a hundred people. This is done on Holy Thursday and can last till the early hours of Good Friday. Food is served to the group from community donations. Since it is a week of fasting, only the most basic meal of rice, vegetable, and fish are serve.

Self flagellation
Source: en.wikimedia.org

Beyond the Call of Faith

In some areas, self flagellation is practiced. These are men who beats their bodies with thorns until they are bruised and bloodied, as they walk down the streets. They go barefoot, with bare upper bodies, and heads covered with cloth. The act can horrify any onlooker who is not used to it. There are areas too, where some believers nail themselves on the cross. These I believe, are extreme practices, that have gone beyond the basic teachings of the church.

I can only imagine what the early Spanish missionaries would say, if they see how Catholicism has grown roots in this country today. It may be far beyond their wildest imagination, that the practice of Catholicism has gone this far. If only Filipinos can temper their deep religiosity, then we may see the Catholic faith as going back to what it's really meant to be---as the true Church of Christ.


#religiosity-of-filipinos

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