The Times

Emmanuel Raymond Ferrer, Maricris Guerrero, Gijo Valmadrid Rain or shine, Pekto San Diego who drives a karatig jeepney for almost 25 years will pass the Spanish architectural design of the narrow streets of Malolos four times a week just to earn money. In the morning, he will start gambling on the road, trying to survive the heat and endure the cold trying to earn higher than 350 pesos to surpass the boundary needed for the day. As the karatig gets longer in size, the boundary for the vehicle gets higher too . With the jeepney, the distance from Lugam to these places does not require too much when it comes to fare rates; 8 pesos a ride, which would have cost at least 20 pesos on tricycle. In his 25 years of driving, he raised his two children, trying his best to support their studies and their everyday needs. His oldest child helps him to support the studies of his younger children. “Naku, kung tutuusin mo e, kami hindi nga kami makaahon e. P350, minsan tatlong daan [a...

Bulacan, who lays the golden jewelries by: Mary Mica Derutas, Deb Domingo, Jamie Karen Hernandez   No one may have thought that the lost goose who lays the golden egg have been laying by in the premises of Meycauayan City in the province of Bulacan since early 16th century .   The Philippines is considered as one of the leading producers of gold in Asia and has been identified among the emerging profitable business in the country.   Meycauayan City- dubbed as the ‘fine jewelry capital of the Philippines’ is rich in stones and expensive metals. In Meycauayan, Bulacan there are 2,000 establishments that involves the making and selling of jewelries in the town and most of them are found in the streets of Brgy. Calvario.    One of them is the Jewelry shop owned by Hernanie “Aga” Adina who has been in the industry of jewelry since he was 21 years old, it was a family heirloom from his mother who has been handling the business since 1970, their family wi...

    Misteryo at himala sa panata ng pagpapako sa krus sa Bulacan       Deb Domingo at Miguel Maghinang                Paombong, Bulacan-   Tradisyon na ang pagpepenitensya sa bansa tuwing Semana Santa. Ang pagpapako sa krus ay hindi lamang panata ng mga kalalakihan sa araw ng Biyernes Santo dahil isa si Precy Valencia sa mangilan-ngilan na babae na may ganitong paniniwala. Taon-taon ay dinarayo ng mga deboto ang Barangay Kapitangan sa Paombong, Bulacan dahil sa talamak ang nagpepenitensya rito. Kabilang na rito ang pagpapako sa krus, pagpapadugo ng likod at pagbubuhat ng krus. Alas siete pa lamang ng umaga ng Biyernes Santo ay dagsa na ang mga tao upang masaksihan ang mga kalalakihan na nagpapadugo ng likuran habang pinapalo at ang pagluhod at pananalangin sa labing-apat na istasyon ng krus. Dumarayo rin ang mga tao sa baran...

by Mary Mica Derutas Easter egg hunt is a practice that’s starting to become popular in the Philippines. So, before you dig on mountains of oval-shaped chocolate treats and splurge yourself with basket full of candies, we gather some Easter Facts for you. Easter Egg Eggs have long been associated with Easter as a symbol of new life and Jesus’ resurrection, the hard shell of the egg represents the sealed tomb of Jesus Christ after crucifixion and the cracking of the shell represents Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. Eggs are rolled as a symbolic re-enactment of the rolling away of the stone from Christ’s tomb. Decorating Easter Eggs Decorating eggs for Easter is a tradition that dates back to at least 13th century, for eggs is one of the forbidden food during Lenten season, people would paint and decorate them to mark the end of the period of penance and fasting, then eat them on Easter as a celebration. Egg dyes were once made out of natural items such as onion peels, produ...

by  Deb Domingo Catholics on faithful Holy week draws the nation into undying credence to commemorate Jesus Christ’s last day on Earth. Folk beliefs are shared with religious faith in the settings of the Philippines Holy Week. In the country, for sure you have already encounter some of the superstitious beliefs and wondered how it even survived up to this modern era. Here are some of the beliefs that hangs around Holy Week: Loud and noise “No to sweeping of the floor, chopping woods, hammering or using knife because Jesus is dead” Sweeping of floors anytime during Good Friday, will release good blessings. Our ancestors also dislike sweeping at night, because they should be doing it in the morning to keep them busy and have something to do during day time. The week is considered to be a time of reflecting to the sacrifices of the Jesus Christ that He have done in saving everyone’s life from sin. Forgive, repent and pray. And to maintain the solemnity of the week, the...

“Salubong” to celebrate Christ’s resurrection   by: Deb Domingo photo by: Diocese of Pasig To celebrate the rebirth of Jesus Christ, Pilipino Catholic devotees rise before dawn to join two separate procession and to mark the end of the Holy Week. “Salubong” is the meeting of two separate processed images of the risen Christ and the still-mourning image of Mary. Mary wears a black mourning dress and followed by saints who have been with Jesus before His death.  While, the risen Christ is in different route. Outside the respective parishes is where the two images meets, an angel will come down from heaven and will lift the black veil of Mary. The crowd will sing Hallelujah after the black veil is lifted and tied in a white balloon to release till its gone by the wind. Also, prepared dances and ritual songs accompanies the crowd in thanksgiving. After, mass will be followed.

by: Maricris Guerrero In the Philippines where Roman Catholics make up 81 percent of the po pulation, it is no surprise that Filipinos have numerous traditional events during Holy Week.  In the early days, these traditions and practices where done for reflection of their sins and the sacrifice Jesus Christ has made. One of these traditions is ‘penitensya’ [penance], which is derived from Old French and Latin ‘poenitentia’. It means repentance or the desire to be forgiven, but traditionally, it is viewed as punishment varying from the sins they have committed. It is usually done during Maundy Thursday and Good Friday; this involves severe discipline, which could be both humiliating and harsh but was considered as spiritual act. Many Filipinos participate this taboo practice, which the Catholic Church prohibits and does not endorse. This Kapampangan tradition began in 1955 after writer Ricardo Navarro came up with the play narrating Jesus’ story, and the actu...