Roman Roots

 

 

Valentine’s Day is celebrated on 14th February every year across the world. Largely a Western tradition, the day is now celebrated in a major way in the eastern part of the world as well in countries like India and China. The day is named after a Christian martyr Saint Valentine and is celebrated to commemorate the love between companions.

The day is believed to have been first incorporated by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD. There were numerous martyrs named Valentine in the early years who were martyred for several reasons. However, none of them were associated with love. It was in the 14th century that a Valentine was associated with love and it is believed that the tradition of Valentine’s Day started with that particular Valentine.

However, there are several other theories as to the origins of Valentine’s Day. Some believe that the day was celebrated to respect a Saint Valentine when he refused to obey the orders of Emperor Claudius II. Emperor Claudius II had ordered that young men should refrain from marrying, as he believed that after marriage, men no longer remain good soldiers. However, the Valentine in question did not obey this order and helped many young men marry secretly. The Valentine was thus killed by the Emperor and hence, the tradition of Valentine’s Day was started.

The day is predominantly celebrated in Western countries but is beginning to make its presence in other countries as well. On this day, lovers exchange gifts and cards to profess their love for each other while single men and women go out in find of their valentine. Several clubs and discs organize special nights on this day which is accompanied by thumping music, candle light dinners and other romantic settings.

WHAT IS LOVE?

Biologically, love is a powerful neurological condition like hunger or thirst, only more permanent. We talk about love being blind or unconditional, in the sense that we have no control over it. But then, that is not so surprising since love is basically chemistry. While lust is a temporary passionate sexual desire involving the increased release of chemicals such as testosterone and estrogen, in true love, or attachment and bonding, the brain can release a whole set of chemicals: pheromones, dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, oxytocin and vasopressin. However, from an evolutionary perspective, love can be viewed as a survival tool – a mechanism we have evolved to promote long-term relationships, mutual defense and parental support of children and to promote feelings of safety and security.

 

FOR ME

Love is indescribable deep euphoric feeling for someone. Love is an incredibly powerful word. When you’re in love, you always want to be together, and when you’re not, you’re thinking about being together because you need that person and without them your life is incomplete.

 

 

 

REFERENCES

https://www.infoplease.com/valentines-day-history

https://www.calendarlabs.com/holidays/us/valentines-day.php

https://lifeloveandyoga.com/2013/03/27/what-is-love/

https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/what-is-love.html

 

We now live in modern times, and yet some traditions can’t be easily erased—not in a superstitious country like the Philippines. Filipinos’ celebration of New Year’s Eve remains to be a remarkable one because of the combination of traditional ways with modern trends. It creates a celebration that is full of life, vibrancy, and familiarity.

For expats, it’s not that difficult to join the New Year festivities in the country, especially with the welcoming attitude of Filipinos. You may, however, find yourself a bit flustered by the unfamiliar, weird yet fascinating practices of Filipinos during the NYE celebration.

Here are some of the most common traditional practices of Filipinos during their New Year celebrations, which are interesting to know about and join in!

Making noises to scare off evil spirits

Just like in many other countries, fireworks light up the sky around the Philippines at the midnight of the New Year’s Eve. In the Philippines, however, there is a superstitious belief behind the bright and loud pyrotechnics and other noise-making stunts: making noises scare off evil spirits that bring bad luck.

Jumping to increase height

We all know jumping and getting taller has no logical connection. Any person living in the modern world knows that. Still, many people, both kids and adults, jump once the clock strikes twelve because of the hopefulness it enkindles. Ever wished you were taller? Just humor us, and jump along!

 

 

 

 

NEW YEAR’s RESOLUTION

 

My new year’s resolution is saving money for future use, drink less alcohol, exercise and get fit for a healthy year, help other who needs help, travel for fun, stop procrastinating and do the job quickly do the chores in the house do schoolwork and assignment that are given and finally enjoy life to the fullest.

 

REFERENCES

http://primer.com.ph/tips-guides/2017/12/30/filipino-traditions-during-new-years-eve-celebration/

https://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/Philippines/NCR/Manila/photo606828.htm

The longest ever!

 

The most festive time of the year is right around the corner — for the rest of the world, that is. In the Philippines, Christmas has already begun. From setting up the decorations and playing Yuletide songs as early as September to the Day of the Three Kings on the first week of the following year, Christmas in the Philippines is several months long, and no one’s complaining. Do as the locals do and join in on the Philippines holiday fun.

Among the many countries in the world, the Philippines has the longest Christmas season.

The season is already celebrated as early as September. Filipinos consider the months ending with the syllable ‘ber’ is Christmas months. It officially ends on the Feast of Epiphany or Three Kings (Tatlong Hari) on the first Sunday after the new year.

The Philippines is composed of various ethnic groups. This means different Christmas traditions are being observed though, of course, they somehow share some relevant similarities.

It’s many regions, provinces, towns, and cities flamboyantly display its Christmas Spirit by the lights, lanterns and ‘belens’ in almost everywhere.

Similarly, houses are already decorated with Christmas lights, Christmas trees and ‘Belens’. While some shoppers, the organized ones like me (LOL), are already planning their Christmas list and purchasing Christmas items on stores.

Almost anywhere you go, Christmas greetings are shared by friends and loved ones as the Christmas month progress.

With our rich culture and history, this Filipino tradition has become a mixture of western and Asian culture.

Try to complete simbang gabi

 

In the Philippines, where over 80% of the nation is Roman Catholic, many adhere to the Christmas tradition of simbang gabi, wherein people wake up at the break of dawn (around 3 to 5 o’clock in the morning) to attend mass. These masses run every day from the 16th of December up until Christmas Eve. Early risers can reward themselves after mass with some delicious kakanin (rice cakes) for breakfast, a variety of which are usually sold outside cathedrals during this time.

Simbang Gabi culminates at dawn on December 24. Then, another Mass on Christmas Eve called the Misa de Gallo, or Mass of the Gifts is held shortly before midnight. After this Mass, families get together in their homes for the traditional Christmas Eve dinner called Noche Buena. Children who have lived apart from their parents due to marriage or studies come home to their parents for this special event. They feast on local delicacies and other traditional dishes, such as a roasted pig called lechon, hamon, pancit, lumpia, fried chicken, fruit salad, spaghetti, and queso de bola among several other delicacies, depending on the region they are from.

Generally, Christmas is a special occasion that most, if not all, Filipinos look forward to each year where families get to spend more time together and catch up with each other’s lives.

 

References

https://wsimag.com/culture/17867-christmas-celebrations-in-the-philippines

https://theculturetrip.com/asia/philippines/articles/how-to-celebrate-christmas-in-the-philippines/

https://osmiva.com/philippines-christmas-traditions/

 

As of November 27, Bohol’s new pride and pleasure will finally have been inaugurated with no other than President Duterte himself
leading the rites.

The P8.9 billion airport is projected to welcome an estimate of up to two million visitors annually and has been dubbed the country’s
first “eco-airport.”

As an “eco-airport,” the new Bohol-Panglao International Airport will feature natural ventilation systems, solar panels that’ll provide
about 30% of the airport power, and motion detectors.

It has its own sewage treatment plant and a solid waste disposal system. Located in Panglao, the airport rests on a 220-hectare land and is meant to replace Tagbilaran Airport.

The new eco-airport is 10 times bigger than the Tagbilaran Airport with the latter sitting on 22-hectare land area as opposed to the former’s 220-hectares.

It will be able to hold up to 650 passengers during peak hours, around 200 more than what Tagbilaran can currently handle. It can also accommodate as many as seven planes at a time, be it for local or international flights.

 

Planning for the new Bohol-Panglao International Airport started in 2003, upon approval from the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).

 

It was only in 2015 when construction commenced – with 2021 as the target date for completion. However, three years later, not only has it been built ahead of schedule but it also been done so with green and sustainable material.

Also on November 27 but ahead of the official opening ceremony, AirAsia made its mark by being the first plane to land at the new airport.

While aboard the airlines’ Airbus A320 from Manila, AirAsia Philippines CEO Dexter Comendador said that the company felt “strongly about supporting the growth and development of cities outside Metro Manila.”

Representatives from the Japanese government and Japan International Cooperation Agency will be gracing the event alongside Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and CAAP director general Jim Sydiongco, National Economic and Development Authority chief Ernesto Pernia, Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto, and Tourism secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.

 

REFERENCE: https://tinyurl.com/yarubsd4

                      https://tinyurl.com/ybtrfxlk

 

 

About Me

Hey, this is my homepage, so I have to say something about myself. Sometimes it is hard to introduce yourself because you know yourself so well that you do not know where to start with. Let me give a try to see what kind of image you have about me through my self-description. I hope that my impression about myself and your impression about me are not so different. Here it goes.

I am a person who is positive about every aspect of life. There are many things I like to do, to see, and to experience. I like to read, I like to think, I like to dream, I like to listen. I like to see the sunrise in the morning, I like to see the moonlight at night; I like to feel the music flowing on my face, I like to smell the wind coming from the ocean. I like to look at the clouds in the sky with a blank mind.

My Family

My family is very important to me they are the ones who love and understand me.  Everyone has emotional needs. We are a species as reliant on our emotions as our intellect. For our well-being, both mental and physical, we need emotional connect. My family provides that to me in spades. They understand why I do the things I do and love me anyway. My family gives me unconditional love.

My family also gives me the feeling that I belong somewhere. They give me my roots. Knowing where I belong gives me the anchor I need to deal with everything the world throws at me.

 

 

I always wanted to be a Professional footballer like Christiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and David Beckham. They influenced many people because of their passion for football. And they also influence me in a way I work hard and train hard for my team to play my best in every game.

 

 

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton