My Family Tradition 

The Filipino people is rich in customs and traditions. Many of these are in connection with their family life such as DATING, MARRIAGE and BURIAL, RELIGIOUS and many more.......  

The Fiesta Celebration                                                                       

Everyone here agrees — Filipinos love fiestas. The word "fiesta" will bring a smile to the face of almost any Filipino. After

 all, a fiesta is a special time with friends, a time for fellowship, food, and lots of activities. Each year brings numerous

 fiestas. Sometimes people are busy for weeks preparing for them. It is surprising, how even those facing many problems

 in their day-to-day life set them aside and participate in the festivities.

 

Fiestas are held on the birthday of the patron saint celebrated with the holding of a novena, a nine-day devotion of masses followed by special prayers of praise to the patron saint. The plaza around the church is decorated with colorful buntings. On the ninth day which is the feast day of the saint, a high mass is celebrated by one or several priests. Suddenly the plaza is transformed into a mini-market where ready-made clothes, toys, fruits, and native delicacies are sold. A brass band plays after the mass and then makes a round of the immediate vivinity playing popular Filipino songs, marches and kundimans. This sets a happy, festive mood in the community with residents going on splurge entertaining relatives and friends from other towns. 

Close Family Ties

The family is one of the oldest and most important social institutions on earth. Anthropologist Margaret Mead

 based on her research, affirmed the centrality of the nuclear family in human society.  She said: “As far back as 

our knowledge takes us, human beings have lived in families. We know of no period when this was not so. We 

know of no people who have succeeded for long in dissolving the family or displacing it… Again and again, in

 spite of proposals for change and actual experiments, human societies have reaffirmed their dependence on the

 family as the basic unit of human living—the family of father, mother and children.’’

All over the world, the family is considered the bedrock of a nation, and the Philippines is no exception. Indeed, 

the Philippines is one country where family ties are the strongest. It is thus fitting that the nation should take 

some time to reflect on the family and seek to strengthen family unity and relationships by promoting Filipino

 family values this week, national Family Week.

               

                          Giving respect to the elders

More than that, every time you place their hands on your foreheads you recognize their authority over yourself~ 

meaning, in every aspect your life, you submit to their guidance because you consider them to be a lot wiser than you are. 

Pagmamano is also a form of asking for blessings. Some olds say "God bless you" every time you do that. 

I always do 'pagmamano' every time I arrive and leave home. Or anytime I met an aunt/ uncle, grandparents, or 

even my parents friends, and they say "God bless you".