The Reason of Simbang Gabi

Facade of St. Anthony of Padua Parish Church, Singalong, Manila

               Leaving NCFP yesterday, my office mate Lucille looked forward to waking up early tomorrow for her last Simbang Gabi… very happy to almost completing her nine-day pledge to attend it since December 16.  Many Filipinos showed their felicity for Christmas through the tradition of Simbang Gabi or Evening Mass.  Dawn Masses in preparation for Christmas were celebrated in most Catholic churches from December 16 until December 24.  This would culminate to the joyful celebration of Christ’s birthday with the Misa de Gallo or Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.

Looking at the church from the side of St. Anthony School

               It is interesting to note that the Simbang Gabi tradition has its roots from Mexico in the 16^th century and was adopted in the Philippines during the latter part of the 17^th century. Filipino farmers and fishermen were invited to attend the dawn Masses and for practical purposes, it was held at dawn so that they could still work afterwards.  Until now, many would attend the Simbang Gabi.  It is a special way for the Filipino soul to adore and thank their Creator for the ending year, or through it to say sorry, or to ask a concrete favor from God during the Simbang Gabi novena.

Some thirty minutes before 9:00 p.m. December 16, 2010 Holy Mass

               Nowadays, parishes have considered anew the circumstances of the people attending the Simbang Gabi.  Although some parishes would celebrate it either at night or at dawn, our parish -- St. Anthony of Padua in Singalong -- had the Simbang Gabi at 9:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m.  The congregation in the church would usually await the homily of the priest celebrant so as to enrich more their spiritual preparation for Christmas.  They would also enthusiastically sing the Advent and Christmas songs during Mass.  The church is well lit and is beautifully decorated with local Christmas lanterns called parol.  The main attraction for all inside the Church is the Belen or the Nativity Scene arrangement.

The Joy of Advent is very much in the air during the Simbang Gabi

              During the Simbang Gabi, churches teem with people especially young ones.  I think it is due to the Joy conveyed by the Event as it focused on the Faith and bonding with family and friends.  Filipinos also want to do things together like singing songs and eating good food after Mass.  After each Simbang Gabi, many would anticipate the traditional breakfast options: bibingka or puto bumbong with tsokolate, kape, or salabat. Today, there are more and varied choices for breakfast just outside the church.

               I attended my first Simbang Gabi when I was in junior high school.  My best friend and I decided to attend it so she picked me up at home around 3:30 a.m.  Myra and I then attended the 4:00 a.m. Mass.  After that  Simbang Gabi, we were so sleepy at school the whole day.  I cannot remember now other details of that Mass, but Myra—who has been in the United States for many years—and I would always remember fondly the joy of the experience, our sleepiness, and our breakfast—hot chocolate donuts—after the Simbang Gabi.

Images of St. Joseph with Our Lady expecting the Child Jesus (found just near the entrance of St. Anthony Church)

              The Holy Mass in Simbang Gabi shows the unity of Faith as it transcends the then and now, the here and there.   I know that many Filipinos in the U.S. and other countries also try to have Simbang Gabi even if it’s winter.  Sustaining great traditions truly require genuine devotedness.  Thanks to those who have given their very best, their all, in preserving this Christian tradition and its accompanying Filipino customs.  How they highlight clearly the reason of the Season—the Joy in the coming of Jesus Christ who is yet unborn and defenseless in the Blessed Virgin Mary's womb.  

               
               Maligayang Pasko!

The Christmas Cards We Make

We share the Joy of the Season through greeting cards.

          A few weeks ago, I had a get-together with friends on Christmas card-making.  Aside from a good bonding we had, it was also a good chance to unwind.  I remember that one of my holiday chores when I was growing up was to write letters and send Christmas cards to relatives. If receiving a card or a letter gives great joy, what greater joy there is in receiving a handmade card by a friend or by a relative.  However, making cards as gifts may not be applicable for all but it is surely a unique and pleasant way to remember and share the joy of the Season—the advent of the Christ Child.



Aside from a good bonding activitiy with friends, card making is a good rest from the stressful work-days.

          Making handmade Christmas cards would surely demand time and effort but it effectively conveys an important message:  I do care about you and I would like to share this great Joy with you.  It is not the size, nor cost, nor splendor of the card that is most important but the intent and spirit behind giving it.  In these days when many things could be done instantly and when many of us are just very busy, the value of a simple job done carefully in view of the person to whom that job or gift will be offered is even made greater. 

Basic materials: a pair of scissors, white glue, colored paper, card board.  Card magazines could help you get ideas.

          It is easy to start this hobby especially around Christmas time.  The basic materials needed are just a good pair of scissors, white glue, some colored and fine-point sign pens, card board and colored paper, and your imagination.  The whole kit and caboodle can be in a neat or fancy bag or even in a recycled sturdy box.  There you can put another container the various ornamental scraps you can gather from candy wrappers, magazines, old Christmas cards, gift tags, or old calendars, etc.  The possibilities are limitless especially if you know how to improvise creatively and make do with what you have.

Find the object of centerpiece for your card; then cut and paste.

          Once you have your basic materials, you can now explore on how to use them.  One simple way is to cut the paper with precision and paste neatly as attractive centerpiece or subject for your card.  Layer it over another paper to emphasize it further because it serves as its border. Punch art is also interesting and easy.  You can also do an origami (paper-folding) which will be the card’s main motif. Do play with colors to make your card happy and zestful.  The color wheel can guide you at the beginning but do trust your preferences after some time.  A short cut is to ask advice from those who have a good eye for art.  

Behind the Christmas cards we make are the persons we love and care for.

          My Ninang Lootsee is an inspiration for me as regards thoughtfulness and card making.  She has consistently remembered my family and my cousins’ families too—all our birthdays or special events. Her creative works always stun us and receiving a card from her makes us gasp to say “Wow!”   Ninang generously shared with us this craft of making cards.  Though I can never equal her elegance and expertise in this hobby, I keep on at it. I fumble and proceed so awkwardly slow in making my cards yet I try not to lose heart.  Keeping on with the craft is to sustain relationships because behind the Christmas cards we make are the persons we love and care for--to them we impart not only friendship but the gift of ourselves.  This is the greatest art lesson I learned from my Ninang.  Merry Christmas!

Charisma and Gravitas

John F. Kennedy with wife Jacqueline

                              The credibility of the magnetic personality or one with charisma is not limited to just having good verbal and non-verbal abilities.  The external charm has to be matched with interior substance which is also known as gravitas. Professor Brian Leggett of the University of Navarra’s IESE Business School explained gravitas as a person with dignity, seriousness, dutiful in speech and in conduct, and one who listens well.  Its opposite is levitas or levity which is to make light or fun of serious or important matters.   

               A “Checklist on the Attributes of a Magnetic Personality” by Professor Leggett may look like this:

•  1. Expert in one field yet possessing good general knowledge 
•  2. Highly energetic yet controlled
•  3. Enthusiastic
•  4. Flexible
•  5. Has good sense of humor
•  6. Stands out from the majority
•  7. Has self-confidence
•  8. Gets involved with what they are good at
•  9. Emotionally intelligent
• 10. Has gravitas

Mahatma Gandhi

      A person with charisma and gravitas has weight of character and depth in personality.   He becomes honorable and admirable because of his zest to communicate without losing the apt and true concern for others.  How does one get gravitas?  Professor Leggett suggested to reflect more deeply on our experiences – professional, social, or personal—and learn from them.  Another tip he gave was to have good listening skills.  “Overcome impatience,” he advised, “because it hinders good listening and thoughtful speaking and objective decision-making.”  He stressed the significance of energy, enthusiasm, and concern for our audience when we share ideas.   

Margaret Thatcher

      Professor Leggett cited that it is very important to learn how to nurture nature. This means cultivating what we already have, especially our knowledge, making it more extensive and intensive.  Working on all these means winning and losing at times or, succeeding and failing.  Examples he gave of known leaders with charisma and gravitas although they differ in personality were John F. Kennedy, Mahatma Gandhi, Margaret Thatcher, and Bill Clinton. 

               
                  I got reminded of Avon’s ‘Charisma’—a perfume launched in the seventies.  It became very popular and was then available in small red roulette bottles and jars.   Using the perfume can make you smell good and surely, can also make you feel good.  Charisma surely attracts but the genuine charisma of a complete man--a person with gravitas--can outlasts his life and will continue to inspire and hold its sway on people beyond his time.

Magnetic Personality in Communication

               

                

                Are you able to make others understand what is in your mind?  Are you able to figure out easily what others think? Are you able to communicate with trustworthiness and influence?  As we interact with people endlessly, we may not realize that we are not communicating well.  My friend Imee attended the International Faculty Program organized by IESE Business School of the University of Navarra for university personnel last May 31 to June 22, 2010 in Barcelona, Spain.

                  IESE’s International Faculty Program has been considered as one of the most effective short courses aimed to improve the management of universities.  Imee shared with me her notes from a class on Persuasive Communication with Professor Brian Leggett.  I think that these notes are useful not only for university personnel but for all.

                Professor Leggett said that one’s soft power is the factor in communication that persuades and attracts people.  It is the real influence over others—a magnetic personality—that appeals and fosters cooperation.  This charisma or personal magnetism is not the mere influence of one’s position, authority, wealth, or age—all of which is hard power.  Hard power can come by with its list of incentives or restraints:  promote or demote, compensate or penalize, hire or fire, and induce or intimidate.

                As we communicate through ourselves, it is important to know who we are and how we appear to others.  He added that without credibility, one cannot reach anywhere.  What is your reputation?  Do people trust you?  Self-management or how we handle ourselves is especially important when there are conflicts in relationships.  If there is a great deal of self-awareness and one can perceive and empathize with others, that person has high aptitude for social relations.  Prof. Leggett named this as Social Intelligence. 

                Another idea is on how our message is accepted by others.  The right emotional environment has to be set so people could accept what we communicate.  The message should not be simply imposed on the people for they have to understand it with their logic and be convinced of it with their arguments.  The one communicating should not be fixated merely on the content of his message or on his arguments.

                Non-verbal language covers almost fifty per cent of our entire communication. How do you argue or explain your cause? How are your other non-verbal cues—handshake, gaze or eye contact, posture, grooming?     We may not be aware but our listeners may be alienated because of our voice or the way we look.  Professor Leggett said that the ability to read out people and adjust to how they are is very important.  This ability is also known as Emotional Intelligence.  For Professor Legget, emotional intelligence is the most important skills in the soft power.

                Professor Leggett referred to Mahatma Gandhi as a master of non-verbal communication.  There is a more important element though in the magnetic personality that Professor Leggett had discussed extensively.  This is gravitas.  Gandhi has it and other fine world leaders too.  The good news is that anyone can have it.  More about gravitas in the next blog.

Good Reading Revolution

                I have a special interest for books which I think I owe from my uncle Rene.  It may have been my osmosis first when I got this love for books since childhood.  I was delighted whenever I could see his small collection of good books in our house.  Then, I would imitate him read.  Some years ago, he told me that he dreams of putting up a library in our town.  I found my Uncle’s wish to be very good  but I wondered if this can be done.  Life became busier and I was not able to think further about it until Weng shared with me her library project in Eastern Samar.

                Eastern Samar is one of the poorest provinces in Philippines.  Rowena or Weng, as I call her by nick name, was assigned to work in Balangiga in Eastern Samar for five years since 2005*.  But aside from her busy work, she was able to help her mother fulfill her long-time wish of putting up a public library in their town, Llorente (which is near Balangiga), where unfortunately illiteracy is still widespread.  With the help of her aunt who resides in the U.S. and other relatives and friends, Weng was able to get books, tables and chairs, and other needed materials for the library including educational toys.

                 “Generous people just came by to help,” said Weng.  She told me that an old couple allowed them to use for free the ground floor (silong) of their house.  Then there came a volunteer librarian every Saturdays who has a full-time job during the week.  She installed a simple library system.  Donations in cash continue to come which are given to two library assistants.  “Knowing that we have limited funds, we were just grateful that the library aides agreed to help us during the week.  We could only give each of them a minimum of Php 1,500 or $ 35 per month as allowance,” disclosed Weng.

                Good libraries or quiet reading corners are very much needed today—not only in our rural towns but also, or much more so, in our city districts. They give us the space to be more human in our lives, to learn the truths we need to live by and consequently be truly free.  Great books leave a mark in their readers.  We see a shameful poverty these days—the ignorance from good literary books.   In spite of so many reading materials nowadays, not everything is valuable and helpful. 

                Rowena’s family has shared their blessings by starting the first private library in the province of Eastern Samar which they called Llorente Library and Information Center.  “We also have reading workshops.  We tell the kids bible stories and fairy tales too with moral lessons.  How they love it!”, shared Weng. This project has also inspired other students from nearby towns and college students even drop by to study better as they inquire from the library aides on how to approach some of their lessons.

Weng's reading workshop cultivates and enriches the imagination of young minds.

               To my Uncle Rene—your dream is very much needed now by many young people…  And it is possible to start a “good reading revolution”.  You and I can start a project like Weng’s or help instead similar endeavors.  If you like to help or simply know more details about the Llorente Library and Information Center project, you may e-mail Rowena N. Tan at wengtan@yahoo.com.

*Rowena N. Tan was appointed as the first judge for the Regional Trial Court of Balangiga, Eastern Samar in 2005.  She has been designated last June 2010 as acting presiding judge of the Regional Trial Court branch 121 in Caloocan City. 

Discover Your Fashion Personality

Ginny Villegas in the workshop on Dressing & Fashion

          Having good fashion sense is not only enjoyable; it gives joy to others.  I have discovered that we can improve this in two simple and economical ways. First, observe keenly the beauty in nature—their harmony and balance.  Second, reflect well on who we are.  Let me elaborate in reference to a lecture on Dressing and Fashion I attended last November 19, 2010 at the Makiling Conference Center situated in the Laguna hills of Calamba City.

 

                A few years back, I used to assist Ginny in some of her fashion workshops. I learned many things and enjoyed those seminars too.   She gives useful advice and reminders on elegance and style.  With a bit of effort to practice those fashion counsels, they can bring out the beauty patent in every person while respecting that person’s originality.

          How does one acquire good taste in fashion? Observing nature teaches us important principles on the roles of colors, patterns, textures, proportions and dimensions in the art of dressing.  The right fit of the clothes is also key to elegance in grooming. The truths in aesthetics as applied to fashion enhance one’s good features and can downplay the natural flaws.  And for women, aside from the proverbial smile that completes the get-up, one will also be fully dressed with a touch of make-up.

"Dressing and Fashion" seminar participants

          What we wear—inclusive of hairstyle and make-up—tells us of our personal style and story.  Our choice of fashion accessories also reveals our experiences and interests.  What is your fashion personality? It can be natural, classic, romantic, dramatic, or ethnic. One’s fashion style can also change in time—as one gets older—or due to a change in job or activity. Changes as there may be, it is important to have consistency in the person’s total look according to her or his specific fashion personality.

 Elegance which is the external beauty in our lives will be complete if these other details are there: cleanliness, order and neatness, good manners, composure in bearing, poise in movement, refinement in behavior and speech, demeanor, propriety, and sense of decency.  Cultivating elegance and a pleasant personal style is vital.  Edith Stein, a German philosopher and now a saint, once said on the role of women in national life, “The nation…doesn’t simply need what we have.  It needs what we are.”   

How does one develop his or her fashion style?  Have a love for beauty and work at it in earnest.  Develop a practical fashion sense.  Educate oneself in good taste.  Another tip—get a good coach who is competent and honest, zealous to bring out the best and beautiful in you.   If you like to contact Ginny for more details on her fashion and personality development clinics for men and women, e-mail her at ginnyvillegas@yahoo.com.

Decisive Steps in Starting A Blog

               Hi there! Today  I committed myself to blog.   Camille, a journalist friend, said that blogging though easy, is a commitment.   I told her that I don’t have much time.  But I realized that this is a great chance to connect with others and at the same time, keep on with writing.

               Thanks to blogs we can now write unhindered by limitations and fears.  Though it took me more than two years to get truly started, I realized that the advantages of having a blog outweigh the inconveniences of setting up one.  Initially, I thought I will not be able to understand téch-y things but thanks to Blogger, they made it easy for me—would just need to follow well the instructions in creating an account.  To my joy as well, I also discovered that my blog would get a cool layout including built-in organizing features—would just have to click the design tab on the main blog page, explore this, and there... I got the blog-look I wanted.  It is amazing how one can publish instantly in the internet nowadays without much hassle and pressure.  But the crucial steps that really got me started came from my cheering squad of friends.

               Camille made me start to commit to blogging.  Ann encouraged me to start by helping me create this blog side by side with Celeste, who was also starting her blog. Then, Jing gave me an idea for the blog’s title. And so, “PED Xing” came to be.

               As the song goes, "I get by with a little help from my friends."

Mel , 14 November 2010