Just Passing Thru: March 2013

Salubong - a Filipino Easter Tradition

11:02 PM

Salubong is a Filipino Easter tradition that has been observed in the country for a long time. It is a Filipino word that translates to "meeting" because it is a ritual that reenacts the meeting of Jesus Christ and His mother, Mary after His resurrection. It is the culmination of the Easter Vigil that starts about after 6 pm on Black Saturday and happens on the early dawn of Easter Sunday.

Christmas and Easter

Easter is considered the greatest event for the Christian faith even surpassing Christmas in importance. While the latter represents the birth of Jesus Christ, Easter represents Jesus Christ's Resurrection from the dead. For the faithful, it signals rebirth into a new life.

All the things done during Christmas are considered preparation for Easter. Both events are celebrated in a joyous manner although Easter is preceded by the Passion and Death of Christ. The western style of celebrating both is symbolized by Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, respectively. Both symbolism emphasize the importance of giving.

Lenten Preparation

Lenten observation starts at Ash Wednesday. Catholics are enjoined to observe fasting and abstinence specifically during all the Fridays of Lent. They are likewise encouraged to go to confession so as to prepare themselves for Holy Week.

Holy Week is the last week of Lent and starts on Palm Sunday. The days in between this and the Easter Triduum consisting of Maundy Thursday, Holy Friday, and Holy or Black Saturday are called "Holy" thus Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, and Holy Wednesday. These days are intended to be days of deep reflection for the Passion and Death of Christ. All these eventually lead to the joyous event of Easter.

Easter Celebration

The preparation for the Easter Sunday celebration itself starts with the Easter Vigil. It is the service held in traditional Christian churches to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is commonly held on the last hours of Holy Saturday up to early hours of Easter Sunday.

In the Philippines, this is when the "Salubong" is held as well. During the "Salubong" the images of the Resurrected Christ and the grieving Mother Mary covered with a veil have two different processions. The male faithful usually accompany the image of the Resurrected Christ while the female faithful accompany the image of Mother Mary. These two images will meet at a certain point, usually in the church grounds where a shower of petals will come down after Mother Mary's veil is lifted. A small girl dressed as an angel traditionally lifts the veil from above. The rest of the angels will shower the two images with flowers amidst the exultation of the faithful.

My Say

My youngest daughter joined the angels for this year's "Salubong". Nothing can prevent her great anticipation and excitement as she patiently waited for the images of the Resurrected Christ and Mother Mary to stop below where they are stationed on the church balcony above so they can provide the shower of flowers. Not even the rain that came a few minutes before their cue.

That said, as I stood there covering my child from the rain as best as I could, I asked the Lord's protection from the threat of sickness in being exposed to the elements as my child did her role for the event along with the other angels. I did not have the words to stop her when she asked to stay in spite of the rain. So I did what every mother was expected to do and stayed with her as she played her simple role for that night to perfection in this Filipino Easter tradition called Salubong.

family and parenting

Weekend Treats for Your Children

8:23 AM

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Any parent knows that finding a way to keep their children entertained on weekends can be tricky. Not only that, it can be expensive as well. These are some ideas on how to keep the kids from climbing up the walls and giving them a treat. What’s more, you can usually find money saving vouchers or deals for most of them, so it won’t cost you the world either.

Movie Tickets

One of the simplest way to treat your children during weekends is by taking them to see a movie. Thankfully, movie makers have realized that parents usually take their kids to the cinema, so even children’s films usually provide enough entertainment for mom and dad for an hour or two. So grab some snacks and a drink, get comfortable, and let your little ones enjoy the big screen magic that only the cinema provides. Remember to look out for offers on movie tickets too, to help keep costs down.

Tenpin Bowling

The idea is simple: knock over as many pins as possible. While actually knocking them all down and scoring a strike may be a lot harder, trying is always fun. Most bowling alleys have ways to help smaller people bowl, from light balls with small finger holes, to gutter barriers that allow children to happily roll their ball down the lanes without worrying about scoring 0 every time. Before long your kid will be a kingpin, knocking down everything in their sight (so you might want to remind them about the difference between a bowling lane and your living room when you get home).

Go-Karting

While you would never dream of letting your children loose in your car, it’s a whole different story on the go kart track, where kids can safely race each other at high speeds in an attempt to gain pole position. City Kart, an indoor track in Manila, is one of the best places for go-karting in the country, with the highest safety standards and a track with multiple levels that provides a great day out. There’s no need to leave the kids to have all the fun on this fantastic treat, so why not buckle up yourself and show them how to corner like a pro?

Laser Tag

LazerXtreme, which has locations in Manila’s Market! Market! entertainment complex and Alabang Town Centre provides one of the best laser tag experiences around for the ultimate game of hide and seek. Multiple levels, ramps, and mazes combine with glow in the dark special effects and thrilling music to get your heart racing, while dedicated game marshals are on hand to make sure everyone is kept safe. The laser packs are lightweight, making them ideal for use by children of all ages, but adults could have just as much fun giving this a go.

Camping

If you’re feeling particularly adventurous why not have a weekend away camping? Nagsasa Cove is a renowned camping spot, but there are plenty of areas throughout the country that provide excellent places for getting back to nature. From hiking through the countryside and taking in the wildlife, to singing around a campfire, a weekend away camping is a great opportunity to spend some tremendous family time together.

Treats for the Whole Family

Trying to keep your children entertained can sometimes feel like a bit of a chore. However, by treating your children to activities you can take part in as well, the time will surely fly by, and you’ll get to develop a special relationship with your family.