THE cold breeze blowing through the Dianara Viewpoint in Banaue did not bother the three mumbakis (medicine men). They started chanting their prayers to the gods Monday night, and they drank tapuy and chewed betel nut and leaf until Tuesday morning. This ritual, which they called "Alim," is a form of thanksgiving and a request for blessings especially during planting and harvest season. I witnessed this recently, as they performed this ritual from nine in the evening to eight the next morning.
"Hindi namin inaalam dahil yun na ang itinuro sa amin ng mga ninuno namin. Hindi pwedeng bawasan ang oras, di rin pwedeng dagdagan. [We did not ask (our ancestors) why they’re spending a long time doing the ritual. This kind of ritual was what they taught us. We cannot change it]," said Jack Yadang, 58 years old and the youngest among the three mumbakis.
Part of the ritual is this ritual is the offering of palay, chicken, tobacco, lime, wine and pig. The slaughter of the pig is the culmination of the ritual, said Yadang.
"Habang kinakatay, ino-offer namin kay Likdum. [We offered the pig to Likdum while it was being slaughtered]," Yadang said.
But before the pig is slaughtered, the eldest mumbaki, Lumigat Bayanin, danced and chanted around it. Then, he took a knife and stabbed the pig at the heart. I heard the pig whine until it died. The pig was then brought before the mumbakis. The eldest mumbaki started hitting the dead pig in a rhythmic manner. It was then placed over a fire, as they shaved its hair.
Yadang explained that the slaughtering of the pig I’ve witnessed was the traditional way of doing it. The ritual ended when they ate the boiled pork with salt.
The ritual done at the Viewpoint was done to ask blessings for the marker declaring the Ifugao Rice Terraces as free from genetically modified organisms (GMO). Local government officials along with Greenpeace witnessed the declaration of the province as GMO-free.
"We [should] not put chemicals [in the planting of rice]. We use grass as fertilizer. That’s what we have learned from our ancestors who used wooden spade in building the terraces,” said Aida Gano, 76 year-old farmer in Banaue, when asked about her thoughts on declaring the famous rice terraces GMO-free.
However, Yadang expressed his concern over the lack of manpower in tilling the rice terraces.
"There’s a lack of manpower. Only few are tilling the land. Others have abandoned their homes while the children are now in school,” Yadang said.
Gano shared the same sentiment. She feared that the next-generation of Ifugaos would forget their heritage.
"The children have no time to plant now because they’re going to school It’s nice if they can also learn how to plant and continue what we’ve started. Because when we’re gone, who will do the work?” said Gano.
“[I want to] teach them our culture. It’s up to them whether they’ll preserve it or not,” added Yadang.
In 1995, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization included the Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao in its World Heritage list. The Ifugaos built the terraces 2,000 years ago. Hence, the UNESCO described it as an “enduring illustration of ancient civilization and a priceless contribution of the Philippine ancestors to humanity.”
Recently in Culture Category
By Anna Valmero
INQUIRER.net
IN one of my trips to Anilao in Mabini, Batangas, I met a pearl diver whom I think outshines the luster of any pearl I’ve seen.
Tande Solare or “Mang Tande” as he was called by the locals is one of the first Badjaos who traveled to Batangas from Zamboanga. In 1972, he sailed the Sulu Sea and South China Sea until he reached the coast of Batangas, where his family now lives.
“Umalis ako noon sa Mindanao, kasi [ma]gulo doon noong nag-Martial Law; maraming naghoholdap [I left Mindanao due to the peace conflicts in the area when Martial Law was declared; there were also lot of hold-up incidents],” Mang Tande says.
According to local Batangueños at Anilao, he is the first Badjao pearl diver who arrived in the area and has been a regular visitor to the Anilao beaches over the years. Some resort owners even await the arrival of Mang Tande to buy pearls.
As member of an indigenous tribe known to live on the water, Mang Tande says he has lived all his life relying on the water to survive and brings meals to his family.
“Naninisid ako ng perlas, sapul maliit pa ako. Ito ang hanapbuhay ng magulang ko rin [I have been a pearl diver since I was young. This has also been the way my parents earned their living],” says Mang Tande.
While I was talking to him, his youngest son, a 5-year-old boy, inspects some shells nearby along with his older cousin. At a tender age, he ventures into the sea with his father.
Mang Tande dives underwater without breathing equipment. Only a rope tied around his waist serves as his lifeline to get back to the banca or small boat. It takes about a week or two before Mang Tande can go back to his family. He catches fish or buys sweet crop (kamoteng kahoy) to feed himself and his companions throughout that two weeks, while sleeping on the sandy shore. When it rains, a tree canopy serves as their shelter.
He says he braves living on the shores without roof above his head all for his family. He dreams of giving his four children the gift of education, which he was unable to have.
Watch my video report of Mang Tande:
By Anna Valmero
INQUIRER.net
HOW can one achieve immortality?
Traditionally, people preserve their beauty and peak of status through portraits, as we in our time today, preserve important moments through photographs. Over time, these portraits or photographs preserve in time the sitter's life and is passed on to future relatives.
In popular culture, stories with fantasy or horror themes play up the idea that having portraits or taking photographs can capture the soul and even possess someone's spirit. This is true of Japanese manga or anime and is also found in the classic novel Dorian Gray.
Curator of Yuchengco Museum Jeannie Javelosa said regardless of time and culture, portraits capture the soul of a period or society. In China, murals of paintings with portraits root back to the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. to 220 A.D.)
In Chinese culture, portraits are part of declarations of status or used for religious rituals of commemoration, said Javelosa.
The Chinese have a unique ritual of worshiping ancestors, in which portraits of the dead were hung on tombs or home altars. According to Javelosa, Chinese culture had the “xie zhen” (true to life portrayal) image. She said attention to details of the person's face is important in Chinese portraits because living relatives pray to their ancestors for guidance or good luck. If the portrait does not look like the ancestor, it is believed the prayer will not reach the right ancestor and will not be granted, said Javelosa.
At the same time, rituals are also done to have the deceased ancestors be guided in the afterlife, she added.
In Chinese portraits, the sitter's character and social status are revealed through clothing and jewelry, pose and inscriptions, said Javelosa. She added the pose or jewelry reveals the sitter's status in society while facial expressions like a stern smile or goatee discloses something about the sitter's personality.
As I walked through the different parts of the exhibit, I noticed that in all paintings, the sitters have a detached facial expression since they seem to look at you. She says this is prescribed to depict the deceased ancestor's otherworldly status.
The tradition was carried over by early Chinese who settled in our country. When they married locals, Filipino-Chinese or "Tsinoys" continue to preserve the tradition. It is the stories, culture and expressions of the rich tradition that is shared by the art exhibit "Mukhang Tsinoy," said Javelosa.
“It was like a treasure hunt of seven months for us to collect the paintings for the exhibit,” Javelosa said. Most of the paintings in the exhibit are shown for the first time, she said.
The exhibit is divided into two parts: one is part of the seven-museum Fernando Amorsolo Retrospective showcase and the other one called “Mukhang Tsinoy, Artistang Pinoy” made by contemporary artists like Ang Kiukok.
One part of the Amorsolo Mukhang Tssinoy exhibit was dedicated to a portrait of a nurse done by Amorsolo during the war. Sadly, the restoration of the portrait was not handled with care. The alley was done to remind people how proper preservation is required so as not to lose treasures like Amorsolo's paintings, said Carla Martinez, information associate, Yuchengco Museum.
Other paintings at the exhibit include Imelda Ongsiako-Cojuangco, Mr and Mrs. Manuel Lopa Sr., Mrs. Henry Uy Cho Yee, Don Mariano and Dona Maria Limjap as well as Corazon Aquino.
From the exhibit, one can learn how Tsinoys have transplanted themselves and flourished in the country by adapting to changes, while still preserving their traditions, as such creating a richer culture borne out of great respect for and strong bond with their roots. Hopefully, as one exits the exhibit hall one can learn how to value and preserve our rich culture and tradition.
HOW can one achieve immortality?
Traditionally, people preserve their beauty and peak of status through portraits, as we in our time today, preserve important moments through photographs. Over time, these portraits or photographs preserve in time the sitter's life and is passed on to future relatives.
In popular culture, stories with fantasy or horror themes play up the idea that having portraits or taking photographs can capture the soul and even possess someone's spirit. This is true of Japanese manga or anime and is also found in the classic novel Dorian Gray.
Curator of Yuchengco Museum Jeannie Javelosa said regardless of time and culture, portraits capture the soul of a period or society. In China, murals of paintings with portraits root back to the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. to 220 A.D.)
In Chinese culture, portraits are part of declarations of status or used for religious rituals of commemoration, said Javelosa.
The Chinese have a unique ritual of worshiping ancestors, in which portraits of the dead were hung on tombs or home altars. According to Javelosa, Chinese culture had the “xie zhen” (true to life portrayal) image. She said attention to details of the person's face is important in Chinese portraits because living relatives pray to their ancestors for guidance or good luck. If the portrait does not look like the ancestor, it is believed the prayer will not reach the right ancestor and will not be granted, said Javelosa.
At the same time, rituals are also done to have the deceased ancestors be guided in the afterlife, she added.
In Chinese portraits, the sitter's character and social status are revealed through clothing and jewelry, pose and inscriptions, said Javelosa. She added the pose or jewelry reveals the sitter's status in society while facial expressions like a stern smile or goatee discloses something about the sitter's personality.
As I walked through the different parts of the exhibit, I noticed that in all paintings, the sitters have a detached facial expression since they seem to look at you. She says this is prescribed to depict the deceased ancestor's otherworldly status.
The tradition was carried over by early Chinese who settled in our country. When they married locals, Filipino-Chinese or "Tsinoys" continue to preserve the tradition. It is the stories, culture and expressions of the rich tradition that is shared by the art exhibit "Mukhang Tsinoy," said Javelosa.
“It was like a treasure hunt of seven months for us to collect the paintings for the exhibit,” Javelosa said. Most of the paintings in the exhibit are shown for the first time, she said.
The exhibit is divided into two parts: one is part of the seven-museum Fernando Amorsolo Retrospective showcase and the other one called “Mukhang Tsinoy, Artistang Pinoy” made by contemporary artists like Ang Kiukok.
One part of the Amorsolo Mukhang Tssinoy exhibit was dedicated to a portrait of a nurse done by Amorsolo during the war. Sadly, the restoration of the portrait was not handled with care. The alley was done to remind people how proper preservation is required so as not to lose treasures like Amorsolo's paintings, said Carla Martinez, information associate, Yuchengco Museum.
Other paintings at the exhibit include Imelda Ongsiako-Cojuangco, Mr and Mrs. Manuel Lopa Sr., Mrs. Henry Uy Cho Yee, Don Mariano and Dona Maria Limjap as well as Corazon Aquino.
From the exhibit, one can learn how Tsinoys have transplanted themselves and flourished in the country by adapting to changes, while still preserving their traditions, as such creating a richer culture borne out of great respect for and strong bond with their roots. Hopefully, as one exits the exhibit hall one can learn how to value and preserve our rich culture and tradition.
VICE President Noli De Castro, a Black Nazarene devotee, shares his thoughts on the annual feast and on this year's preparations. As in previous years, De Castro says he offers a prayer to the image. Video taken by INQUIRER.net reporter Thea Alberto.
Thousands of devotees of the Black Nazarene attend mass at the Quirino grandstand. Mostly dressed in maroon and yellow, throngs of young and old devotees join the procession, blocking the path of the Black Nazarene as it inches its way to the Quiapo Church. Photos taken by INQUIRER.net reporters Thea Alberto, Izah Morales, Lawrence Casiraya and Marjorie Gorospe.
Thousands of devotees of the Black Nazarene attend mass at the Quirino grandstand. Mostly dressed in maroon and yellow, throngs of young and old devotees join the procession, blocking the path of the Black Nazarene as it inches its way to the Quiapo Church. Photos taken by INQUIRER.net reporters Thea Alberto, Izah Morales, Lawrence Casiraya and Marjorie Gorospe.
By Anna Valmero
INQUIRER.NET
WITH the strong influence of Chinese culture, Filipinos borrow several traditions from the Asian neighbor in celebrating the New Year.
Over time, it has been part of our culture as well as other parts of the world to watch out for forecasts from Feng shui experts so we can better be guided in the following year.
2009 is the year of the Earth Ox in the Chinese Zodiac. For the coming year, growth will be slow but it will be sure, says Feng shui expert Master Aldric Dalumpines of Punsoy.com.
Dalumpines says there are three elements to reading the upcoming year. First, the earth element -- signals earth related industries will have a rosy outlook. These include real estate, memorial parks, agriculture, mining and related businesses like construction, and even oil.
Another good area for business is aqua farming, since water is a stronger element than earth, he says.
Another element in the forecast is the animal sign, says Dalumpines.
Ox, in Asian culture, refers to the carabao or water buffalo and not the Western bull. As a beast of burden, the carabao is the engine of growth especially in agricultural countries.
The third part is the cyclical pattern of the sign, in which years falling under the Sign of the Ox are also years of crises.
The Chinese are optimistic about 2009 since a crisis also provides opportunities. To rise above the challenges, he advises everyone to be patient and diligent and to save money. 2009 is also a time of harvest for people who have worked hard over the last three years.
“2009 is the best time for the country to lay foundations strongly for the future -- as seen before when Filipinos have become creative and resilient over time,” the Feng shui expert says.
“With the United States and other parts of the world suffer in the global recession, now is the best time for the country to shine since we are already vaccinated and immune to meltdowns, thanks to our training under our previous national leaders,” he says.
He says the upcoming elections is boon for national projects since there will be no hoarding of resources to support infrastructure and healthcare projects.
He cautions though that there will be political figures who will try to remain in power even after 2010.
On the bright side, he says there will be a pool of fresh faces in the local politics, as in the case of newly elected U.S. President Barrack Obama.
“Manny Pacquiao will be a dark horse in 2010, more so if he will be able to win his next two bouts,” he adds.
When asked about the chances of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to win in 2010, he cautioned that the national leader should not push her luck too much or take unnecessary risks, such as the Charter Change.
He says the president was able to benefit from the perfect Feng shui of the late Diosdado Macapagal’s burial site
He says it is too early to speculate who will claim leadership. But two things will happen.
First, religious groups will sell block voting of its members to the highest political bidder. Secondly, it spins a different turn for the entertainment industry ironically and paradoxically as comedy will be highly favored by masses who will seek temporary relief from the situation.
As with other spiritual practices like religion, Feng shui serves as guide -- one way of allowing the signs of the universe or nature to speak to us -- and it is all tied up to that “One Great Power” above, he says.
JUST a few days before New Year, some Filipinos find their way into the marketplace to buy things they deem will bring them luck next year.
One good place to visit is Quiapo. You will see all sorts of “charms.” Vendors are everywhere. As you walk out of the Quiapo church on the way to Carriedo, you will surely have difficulty passing through R. Hidalgo street. The supposedly clear street that was renovated in 2006 is packed with sidewalk vendors this time of the year. The fruit vendors almost occupy the walkway making it harder for customers to pass through.
“Hale, bili na. Dito mura! [Hey, buy now. We sell cheap here],” a vendor screamed as she persuaded people to check out her goods.
Name rounded fruits, the vendors in Quiapo have it. Fruits of different sizes are available -- from the largest to the smallest. They have Kiat kiat, apple, chico, longan, watermelon, melon, grapes, dalandan, guava and Ponkan. At this time of the year, prices of fruits cost more. For example, grapes are sold at P200 a kilo. But during ordinary days, you can buy them at P120 to 150 a kilo. Fuji apples, which are usually sold at P5.00 a piece, can be bought at P10.00 a piece. So others prefer cheap fruits like guava and dalandan.
Filipinos believe that displaying rounded fruits on the table will make for a “fruitful” year. This is one of the superstitions that Filipinos practice up to this day. No wonder, many people still flock to the marketplace to buy fruits, especially the round-shaped ones despite the economic crisis.
Still on having round-shaped things around, Filipinos also believe that wearing polka dot clothes will attract good luck and hopefully money in the coming year. Polka dots were in vogue in the 60s. But for some Filipinos, luck is more important than fashion.
Another superstitionFilipinos practice, which is largely influenced by the Chinese, is creating noise to welcome the New Year. It is believed that making noise drives bad luck away.
Brenda, a vendor of torotots (handmade horns) say that unlike fruit vendors, she earns less from selling these lucky charms. “Mas pinipili nila ‘yung prutas kasi nakakain [People still chose to buy the fruits because they can eat them afterwards],” she says.
While Filipinos cling to these superstitious beliefs, food remains the best lucky charm when they celebrate the New Year. At least this indicates that they still are lucky to have something on the table during these hard times.
WHO wants to celebrate the coming year with a bang?
Before you raise your hand, count your fingers first. You don’t want to start the year with incomplete fingers.
According to Engineer Celso Cruz, chairman emeritus of the Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers & Dealers Association Inc. (PPMDAI), consumers should be careful in buying fireworks and firecrackers.
He says that you should always check the packaging if it contains the following: manufacturer’s name, address and contact number; license number of manufacturer; instructions for use and warnings.
If the fireworks that you bought don’t have the above mentioned requirements, then it means that you these fireworks are illegal. Cruz admitted that many are still selling illegal fireworks.
Cruz said that the PPMDAI has been providing disseminating safety information on fireworks and firecrackers to the public. But it is up to the Philippine National Police to regulate the manufacture, distribution and use of firecrackers in the country, as stated in Republic Act 7183, which outlines laws on firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices.
PPMDAI has, for instance, launched a campaign called “Ingat-Paputok, Iwas-Disgrasya.” It was done in partnership with Bulacan.
Cruz said the campaign is done through seminars and the distribution of leaflets that contain information on safety when it comes to using fireworks.
I got a copy of the leaflet and here are some reminders from the Pyrotechnics Regulatory Board:
- Don’t use prohibited firecrackers like pla-pla, lolo, super lolo, giant bawang, giant whistle bomb, baby dynamite at kabase.
- Light the fireworks in a wide area far from flammable materials.
- Don’t let your children light firecrackers. Guide them in handling lucis or sparklers.
- Don’t light any fireworks in your hands.
- If the firecrackers or fireworks are defective, then don’t light them again. Wait
- For 15 to 20 minutes and splash a pail of water onto it.
By Marjorie Gorospe
INQUIRER.net
AS a predominantly Catholic nation, it has become a Filipino tradition to light four candles of Advent during the Christmas season.
This year, my family was chosen to sponsor the mass on the lighting of the pink candle, which is a way of celebrating the prophesied second coming of Jesus Christ.
I must admit that Filipino traditions can be very demanding. But it has persisted for years because it has been one way of bringing families together. In my case, I was required by my mother to go to Tanay in Rizal – our hometown – to attend a special mass.
During the mass, I became part of the procession of the priest, lector and lay ministers. The rest of my family was asked to light the pink candles, while I was asked to read a written prayer prepared by the parishioners.
This event reminded me of the days when I was still eager to complete the Misa de Gallo before Christmas. Amid the cold weather in Tanay, I braved the early morning shower to attend the early mass with my mother. During my childhood, I was exposed to such traditions especially during Christmas.
But as I listened to our priest during his homily, he lamented about the “Simbang Gabi” as “Simbang Tabi,” a pun that describes how some younger people have used this Filipino tradition as an opportunity to meet friends.
Times have changed.
Lighting the candle of advent also reminded me of the times when my family got together. Back then we were all complete. However, like most Filipino families today, two of my sisters now live abroad, leaving me as the one only one left to read the prayer. I have a brother but I am not sure if he’s too keen on assuming this role.
Nevertheless, our priest reminded me that lighting the candle symbolizes “rejoicing.” Every year, traditions have brought Filipino families together and the lighting of the candle of advent was one of them.
By Izah Morales
DRESSED in red hat, pants and suit, the old stout man seated on a chair greeted children at the Glorietta mall with his signature laugh, “Ho!Ho!Ho! Merry Christmas!”
Yes, Santa Claus has come to town to meet and greet kids. But children should not be mistaken. The man behind this familiar costume during the holidays is Francisco Da Silva, just one of many Santa Clauses who dressed up during the yuletide season.
Da Silva, a 76-year-old Filipino-Portuguese, has been dressing up as Santa Claus for six years. He said he has seen a lot of Santa Clauses yet they weren’t fit for the character.
“If you are to be a Santa Claus, you must have charisma with children. Santa is a lover of Children. That’s why I love to be Santa Claus,” said Da Silva.
During his childhood, Da Silva admitted that he wished Santa Claus to see his siblings again so they could celebrate Christmas together. Da Silva lost two of his brothers.
Da Silva’s wish this coming Christmas is for his family and 10 grandchildren to spend the holidays together.
Da Silva, a 76-year-old Filipino-Portuguese, has been dressing up as Santa Claus for six years. He said he has seen a lot of Santa Clauses yet they weren’t fit for the character.
“If you are to be a Santa Claus, you must have charisma with children. Santa is a lover of Children. That’s why I love to be Santa Claus,” said Da Silva.
During his childhood, Da Silva admitted that he wished Santa Claus to see his siblings again so they could celebrate Christmas together. Da Silva lost two of his brothers.
Da Silva’s wish this coming Christmas is for his family and 10 grandchildren to spend the holidays together.
By Quay Evano
Dubai, UAE -- For a devout Catholic Filipino like Cristy Atendido, Christmas won’t be complete without attending the traditional “simbang gabi” or midnight mass and completing all nine days of it.
So, when she left the Philippines to work as an Overseas Filipino Worker in the Middle East last year, it was one of the things she thought she won’t be able to do since she was going to the world’s region of the Islamic religion.
But last December she was able to go to the midnight mass although wasn’t able to complete it. This year, she is focused on completing it and last night she was able to attend the first celebration of the simbang gabi. By the way, she’s still in the Middle East.
Cristy is just one of the hundreds of thousands of Catholic Filipinos and millions of Christians who are fortunate to be allowed to practice their faith in a Muslim country, which is a very rare occurrence especially in a war-torn region like the Middle East, where people of different religions and even of the same religion fight and kill each other in the name of God.
Cristy lives and works in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, hailed around the world for its religious tolerance and interfaith openness. It is perhaps the only Islamic nation in the Gulf with the most Catholic churches, a total of seven (7): St. Mary’s Church (Dubai), St. Francis of Assisi Church (Jebel Ali, Dubai), St. Joseph’s Church (Abu Dhabi), St. Mary’s Church (Al Ain), St. Michael’s Church (Sharjah), Church of Mother of Perpetual Help (Fujairah), and St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church (Ras Al Khaimah). The church in Abu Dhabi is the UAE headquarter of the Apostolic Vicariate of Arabia which is being overseen by Bishop Paul Hinder O.F.M. Cap.
Masses are held everyday and most churches have mass celebrations in different languages like English, Arabic, French, Malayalam (South Indian language), Tamil, Urdu (Pakistani language) and Tagalog.
Majority of the Catholics and other Christians in the UAE are from the Philippines and South India and the others would be from European countries like the United Kingdom, Italy, and France and Gulf countries like Lebanon, Syria and Iraq.
People of different faiths and religions work and live in peace and harmony in this open Islamic city and even celebrate each other’s important religious festivals.
Christians greet Muslims “Eid Mubarak” during Ramadan, Eid Al Adha and Eid Al Fitr and greet Hindus “Happy Diwali” and “Happy Onam” during their festival of light. Muslims and Hindus in turn greet Christians “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Easter”. This is an amazing contrast to neighboring countries like Saudi Arabia, the seat of Islam, where celebrating even having a cross ornament could bring one to jail or in Iraq where Sunni and Shiite Muslims are engaged in an endless bloodshed. It is only Qatar which has lately allowed the construction of Christian churches in its city.
Christmas is widely celebrated in the UAE as malls, hotels and other business establishments put up Christmas decorations all over the city. Christmas carols waft through the air and business establishments cash in on the Christmas fervor by offering endless sales. Although there are still minor restrictions like churches are not allowed to have a cross structure on its façade (but other Christian symbols are allowed in the interior) and proselytizing, the UAE has showed the world that in diversity, there could be some form of unity wherein peaceful living could be achieved.
The country’s leaders from the ruling family of Dubai, the Maktoums and the ruling family of Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyans, have been called visionaries not only for making their country one of the richest countries in the world in only a span of 37 years, but for their vision of creating a society wherein Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists and people from other religions could live as one without hatred and fear. It is actually the late leader of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum who donated the land where St. Mary’s Church was built and donated funds for its completion.
Most of the priests in the seven Catholic churches in the UAE are from India and the Philippines. St. Mary’s Parish Priest is Father P.M. Peter and its famous Filipino priest is Father Zacarias Parra who is endearingly called Father Zaki by most parishioners. Along with other priests and sisters, they are responsible for holding masses and other Christian services like baptisms, weddings, catechisms and confessions.
As thousands and thousands of Filipinos arrive in the UAE daily, the churches have become a refuge for OFWs as they fight homesickness and loneliness and live with the everyday struggles of living in a foreign land. Especially now as Christmas approaches, homesickness is at an all time high.
But the “simbang gabi” keeps Filipinos and other Catholics with the renewed vigor and optimism they need to survive another year of being away from their loved ones. After hearing the midnight mass, they are even treated to “kakanin” being sold by fellow Filipinos. There are bibingka, suman and other Filipino native delicacies being sold inside and outside the church premises, really making Dubai and the other emirates their home away from home.
For Cristy, she said, the only thing missing is to see small children singing Christmas carols in the streets and houses and to have her one and only son Adrian, a college student back home, to be with her this Yuletide season. But aside from this, she feels that the spirit of Christmas and the Catholic faith is very much alive in the UAE.
Dubai, UAE -- For a devout Catholic Filipino like Cristy Atendido, Christmas won’t be complete without attending the traditional “simbang gabi” or midnight mass and completing all nine days of it.
So, when she left the Philippines to work as an Overseas Filipino Worker in the Middle East last year, it was one of the things she thought she won’t be able to do since she was going to the world’s region of the Islamic religion.
But last December she was able to go to the midnight mass although wasn’t able to complete it. This year, she is focused on completing it and last night she was able to attend the first celebration of the simbang gabi. By the way, she’s still in the Middle East.
Cristy is just one of the hundreds of thousands of Catholic Filipinos and millions of Christians who are fortunate to be allowed to practice their faith in a Muslim country, which is a very rare occurrence especially in a war-torn region like the Middle East, where people of different religions and even of the same religion fight and kill each other in the name of God.
Cristy lives and works in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, hailed around the world for its religious tolerance and interfaith openness. It is perhaps the only Islamic nation in the Gulf with the most Catholic churches, a total of seven (7): St. Mary’s Church (Dubai), St. Francis of Assisi Church (Jebel Ali, Dubai), St. Joseph’s Church (Abu Dhabi), St. Mary’s Church (Al Ain), St. Michael’s Church (Sharjah), Church of Mother of Perpetual Help (Fujairah), and St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church (Ras Al Khaimah). The church in Abu Dhabi is the UAE headquarter of the Apostolic Vicariate of Arabia which is being overseen by Bishop Paul Hinder O.F.M. Cap.
Masses are held everyday and most churches have mass celebrations in different languages like English, Arabic, French, Malayalam (South Indian language), Tamil, Urdu (Pakistani language) and Tagalog.
Majority of the Catholics and other Christians in the UAE are from the Philippines and South India and the others would be from European countries like the United Kingdom, Italy, and France and Gulf countries like Lebanon, Syria and Iraq.
People of different faiths and religions work and live in peace and harmony in this open Islamic city and even celebrate each other’s important religious festivals.
Christians greet Muslims “Eid Mubarak” during Ramadan, Eid Al Adha and Eid Al Fitr and greet Hindus “Happy Diwali” and “Happy Onam” during their festival of light. Muslims and Hindus in turn greet Christians “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Easter”. This is an amazing contrast to neighboring countries like Saudi Arabia, the seat of Islam, where celebrating even having a cross ornament could bring one to jail or in Iraq where Sunni and Shiite Muslims are engaged in an endless bloodshed. It is only Qatar which has lately allowed the construction of Christian churches in its city.
Christmas is widely celebrated in the UAE as malls, hotels and other business establishments put up Christmas decorations all over the city. Christmas carols waft through the air and business establishments cash in on the Christmas fervor by offering endless sales. Although there are still minor restrictions like churches are not allowed to have a cross structure on its façade (but other Christian symbols are allowed in the interior) and proselytizing, the UAE has showed the world that in diversity, there could be some form of unity wherein peaceful living could be achieved.
The country’s leaders from the ruling family of Dubai, the Maktoums and the ruling family of Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyans, have been called visionaries not only for making their country one of the richest countries in the world in only a span of 37 years, but for their vision of creating a society wherein Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists and people from other religions could live as one without hatred and fear. It is actually the late leader of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum who donated the land where St. Mary’s Church was built and donated funds for its completion.
Most of the priests in the seven Catholic churches in the UAE are from India and the Philippines. St. Mary’s Parish Priest is Father P.M. Peter and its famous Filipino priest is Father Zacarias Parra who is endearingly called Father Zaki by most parishioners. Along with other priests and sisters, they are responsible for holding masses and other Christian services like baptisms, weddings, catechisms and confessions.
As thousands and thousands of Filipinos arrive in the UAE daily, the churches have become a refuge for OFWs as they fight homesickness and loneliness and live with the everyday struggles of living in a foreign land. Especially now as Christmas approaches, homesickness is at an all time high.
But the “simbang gabi” keeps Filipinos and other Catholics with the renewed vigor and optimism they need to survive another year of being away from their loved ones. After hearing the midnight mass, they are even treated to “kakanin” being sold by fellow Filipinos. There are bibingka, suman and other Filipino native delicacies being sold inside and outside the church premises, really making Dubai and the other emirates their home away from home.
For Cristy, she said, the only thing missing is to see small children singing Christmas carols in the streets and houses and to have her one and only son Adrian, a college student back home, to be with her this Yuletide season. But aside from this, she feels that the spirit of Christmas and the Catholic faith is very much alive in the UAE.
