#jonas dula

As you may well be aware, the innovative app of entertainment that is Netflix has recently endowed us with a second season of the period drama, Bridgerton. Thus, many of us and our cousins in the North have once again been all primped up and reacquainted with their quaint and olden customs such as curtseying, greeting passersby during promenades, and inviting suitors for afternoon tea. While being in the know as to how other cultures carry out their rituals of respect intimates a great deal of worldliness and external sensitivity, you doubtless should desire to be apprised of our own inherited customs as well!

Should you feel that your manners have slackened or find that your zeal to continue with them might be dwindling due to their antiquated and somewhat compulsory nature, read on. For etiquette is not merely a mindless subjection to old-established norms of conduct—it is a code of propriety to which one ought to adhere, should they wish to act in accordance with common goodwill, and really aid in promoting kindness and humility.

I shall henceforth explain to you the mechanisms behind certain etiquettes that are exercised in this little archipelago of ours which we call the Philippines. This magnificent country, as you may know, was ruled by Spain, for more than 300 years! Japan and America too, had their own periods of colonial imposition upon us. As a consequence, some of our customs are imbued with foreign influence. I would like to give you some particular examples of this etiquette—shall I get started?

꧁꧂

Pagmamano

A young man being blessed by an elderly. Retrieved from:https://steemit.com/culture/@grace44/mano-or-pagmamano-the-filipino-gesture-of-showing-respect-to-elders

Aah, yes, this is what I deem as one of the most imperative of our traditions. It is something one ought to practice whenever they enter a home and an elder is living within. While often thought to be reserved for elders, one may do this with any seniors in their family. This is what we call “pagmamano,” and it is done by holding the elder’s hand, putting it against one’s forehead, and then saying “Mano po." Most of the time, the elder will respond with, “Bless you."

This particular form of gesture is a sign of respect to the elders of that residence. By offering one’s hand to the elder, they subsequently allow themselves to be subservient to them so that they may accept their blessing and wisdom.

Saying Po & Opo

A little girl thanking her parents as she reaches out for her father’s gift. Retrieved from: https://www.remitbee.com/blog/remitbee-culture-po-and-opo-why-is-it-important-for-filipinos

Being respectful while addressing those who are older is a must in our country, so much so that we have po and opo just for that purpose! Both are meant to denote respect in communicating with those senior to oneself. Both are also contracted forms of certain expressions, though natives contest which.

According to some sources, Po is a contraction of the Ilocano word Apo and refers not to “a grandchild” the way its Tagalog doppelganger does. Nay, in this regard it means “dios” or “lord”. Given that, uttering it makes for an acknowledgement of one’s humbler status since the person they address will actually be regarded as their lord, “Alalahanin ko, Apo/po.” Origins aside, it often follows a verb, “Pahingi po,” or a pronoun, “Inasikaso ko po.” Highly adaptable, an interrogative po may also possess the same meaning as its cousin Opo, making it our own deferential equivalent of, “Yes?” [1][2]

For instance,

‘Leilani!”

“Po?”

-

In garbled speech, ‘Leilani, lumabas ka raw kanina?’

Bemused and uncomprehendingly, “Po?”

-

As was mentioned earlier, Opo is a respectful “yes,” and such is made all the more apparent when we turn to its phrase of origin, “Oo, Apo” or “Yes, lord."

On the other hand, some believe Po arose from the Tagalog word “Panginoon” meaning still, “dios” or “lord”, and that Opo had been derived from the phrase “Oo, panginoon”.[3]

That said, Po and opo may not be staple communicative accouterments in certain provinces. So when opportunities of using them present themselves, one ought not to allow them to go amiss.

Honorifics

A friendly face greeting his kuya. Retrieved from: https://www.rappler.com/business/98714-heykuya-startup/

Here in the marvelous land of the Philippines you’ll notice the word respect gets thrown around quite often—it is an ineluctable and ineradicable element of our culture! Indeed, it's quite a pleasant sight to see how honorifics are used here, such as referring to one’s siblings or older acquaintances as “ate” or “kuya” depending on either sex or preference (some say this signifies great progress—more can be done I believe). Additionally, one may use the term “ate” or “kuya” to refer to strangers who appear a little older than themselves, because it is deemed respectful.

Family titles, too, are of great importance and may be a little tricky. One may refer to someone as "lolo" or "lola" if they belong to the elder generation. Moreover, adults and middle-aged men or women may also be addressed as "tito" or "tita," if they are one’s uncle or aunt. Those younger amongst you might actually employ these appellations for certain grown-ups regardless of relation! (It sounds much more, hip, as some of you may say, don’t you think?)

Labels and titles like these may permissibly be issued about as long as they’re of a courteous nature and betray not, impropriety. But if you’ve trouble remembering them, worry not—for you may alternatively greet someone with a trusty ma'am or sir.

Leaving footwear outside the house

A storage bench for shoes signaling its use for new entrants. Retrieved from:https://www.wikihow.com/Ask-Someone-to-Take-Off-Their-Shoes-at-Your-Home

Most households will have an area for setting aside one’s begrimed footwear in favor of indoor slippers or tsinelas (leave these lying around the house and you just might have them flung back at you!). In this, we miss out on the badge of national rarity, or as the younger folk amongst you might say, being #notlikeothercountries; for in it we are not alone.

We share this custom with many other nations such as Germany, Turkey, and Japan. As for the last country mentioned, ‘twas from them which we assimilated this convention. ‘Tis more rigorously enforced in Japan however, as people often eat sitting on the floor.[4][5] Though we need not fret about having any of the dirt we’ve trailed into our homes, clinging onto our legs and backsides as we dine, we presumably still care for clean speckless floors upon which we may happily walk, care-and-muck-free, whilst barefoot.

Eating with bare hands

A family eating “kamayan” style. Retrieved from: https://www.rappler.com/brandrap/health-beauty-and-wellness/217856-how-kamayan-practice-filipino-pride/

You must feel peckish from all the information that you have gathered thus far. Not to worry! For here, I shall teach you how we partake upon feasting. A lot of the time—excluding maybe, the majority of this pandemic’s duration—we use our hands instead of utensils for it is convenient and leaves less things to clean. Additionally, many of our locals would agree that the taste of the food is better when one simply opts for their hands.

We call this “Kamayan,” where we gather in a group and indulge in a huge banana leaf heaped with colorful and scrumptious dishes, as well as mounds of rice running through the center of it all. Once again, one must partake in the feast using only their hands as it symbolizes brotherhood and makes for an effective way to bond with the members of the community. This particular way of eating is all about the magical experience of human interaction.

Bringing back pasalubong

An array of colorful Filipino pasalubong. Retrieved from: https://www.behance.net/gallery/18294729/Choose-Philippines-Pasalubong-Map-Infographics

While not mandatory, gifts or pasalubong are always anticipated; and it is of good fashion that one is prepared to dole them out to family, comrades, and esteemed colleagues.

Rooted in the word salubong, meaning “to meet” or “to welcome,”[6] there are several ways in which this act of gift-or-souvenir-giving may transpire. One, being as somebody visits their loved ones after having vacationed somewhere. Another, by sending in some paraphernalia or even a balikbayan box nearly full to bursting amid work or travels abroad. Or a third, by simply giving out to one’s family, whatever lovely wares one might’ve purchased on their journey.

Some bring it upon themselves to do this out of obligation; others, routine—choosing goods in a desultory and uninspired manner. Many, however, do it with their loved ones in mind—buying thoughtful gifts and novelties often native or exclusive from whence they came. So while bringing back pasalubong is the polite course of action, it is one from which we may behold a great deal of love and affection.

Filipino Time

Late-comers arriving at a wedding with food from Jollibee. Retrieved from: https://medium.com/@assinco/photo-from-steve-james-podcast-b291ada66932

Oh, how I deplore the horrendous stench of convention! So many have dishonored themselves with it that I can only think them to have been misled into believing it as an etiquette. Keep in mind that etiquette is polite behavior; so no matter how deeply-rooted, acts such as this which take liberties with common decency certainly do not warrant even the smallest affiliation. If you have engaged in this practice, await great disapproval!

This particularly objectionable act is perpetrated when there is an event in which one must partake. Instead of respecting the time or arriving early however, one casually arrives late. People will often arrive thirty minutes to even two hours later than the hour fixed upon! The usual culprits in this situation are those who are keen on skipping the program—merely entering just in time before feasting begins. In our country, having traffic to blame is very feasible; but my word, some actually choose to be late! Truly, our culture has reached the point of no return for this, as planners actually anticipate its occurrence and adjust the time for when a program is to commence.

While some argue that this is done out of consideration for the host—giving them a greater span of time to prepare—it is more often than not, done in poor taste. To those who flout this particular norm, I commend you. Why should one betray integrity for the feeble sake of conformity?

꧁꧂

At the beginning of this pamphlet, I asserted that following proper etiquette was the right and proper thing to do. But better enlightened as you are now to the different innerworkings and intentions behind those most renowned, I ask you: do you still believe them worth heeding? Which among them do you reckon are true cultural hallmarks of reverence, uneroded neither by time nor the emergence of new beliefs and greater valued aspects of identity? Which amongst them possesses a vast breadth for improvement? Do you contend that pasalubong underlies and fosters materialistic propensities, perpetually impelling us to waste money? Is pagmamano, time-honored though it may be, really patronizing towards the elderly? These I leave for your solemn reflection. Wishing you readers the best of luck in navigating our character-exacting society,

Ginang Maria Grasya

//by Jonas Dula & Allana Dela Cruz

Sources:

[1] https://mobile.facebook.com/249602095179325/photos/a.251529181653283/310419082430959/?type=3&_rdr

[2]https://forum.wordreference.com/threads/the-origin-of-po-and-opo.1737301/#:~:text=Po%2FOpo%20is%20a%20sign,Opo%2C%20panginoon%E2%80%9D%20is%20redundancy

[3] https://youtu.be/od_e1AoDlNI

[4] https://www.esquiremag.ph/style/fashion/history-of-slippers-a2017-20190312-lfrm

[5] https://utesinternationallounge.com/take-off-your-shoes-or-not/#:~:text=In%20many%20countries%20like%20Germany,a%20house%20with%20shoes%20on

HOW TO CREATE CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS USING TOILET PAPER.

Source: Paper Roll Poinsettia Ornaments - One Little Project

MATERIALS NEEDED:

Toilet Paper

Glue

Glitter

Glue Gun

Scissors

Ruler

Ribbon

Hole Puncher

PROCEDURE:

1. Paint the tissue roll on both sides.

Any paint will do, but make sure that the paint is dry before moving on to the next step.

STEP 1. PHOTO BY Gabrielle Gamba

2. Flatten the tissue roll and use a ruler to mark every ¾ inch.

STEP 2. PHOTO BY Gabrielle Gamba

3. Cut the roll into 5 equal strips.

Make sure that each strip is ¾ inch wide.

STEP 3. PHOTO BY Gabrielle Gamba

4. Pinch each end of the strip and push it to the middle to make a petal shape.

STEP 4. PHOTO BY Gabrielle Gamba

5. Pour the glue on a plate and dip one side of the petal in it.

6. In another plate, press the glue-coated side of the petal into the glitter, ensuring the edge is completely covered.

STEP 6. PHOTO BY Gabrielle Gamba

7. Shape the petals into a flower. Then, add a small amount of glue to the inner part of the flower to hold it together.

STEP 7. PHOTO BY Gabrielle Gamba

HOW TO CREATE A PAROL USING PLASTIC BOTTLES.

Source: My Early DIY Christmas Lantern — Steemit

MATERIALS NEEDED:

Ruler

Hammer

Nail

Electrical Tape

Cutter

Scotch tape

String

Scissor

Two Empty Plastic Bottles

PROCEDURE:

1. Measure 2 inches of the neck of an empty plastic bottle by using a ruler.

Use a marker as your guide.

STEP 1. PHOTO BY Gabrielle Gamba

2. Use a cutter to cut the neck of the bottle at the mark you made.

STEP 2. PHOTO BY Gabrielle Gamba

3. Measure 1.5 inches from the bottom and make a mark. This will serve as a guide of the length of the uncut portion of the bottle.

4. Cut the bottle into five strips.

Use the “flower” shape seen at the bottom of the bottle as a guide to creating the star.

STEP 4. PHOTO BY Gabrielle Gamba

5. Cut each strip into four smaller strips.

Apply the same procedure to the other bottle.

STEP 5. PHOTO BY Gabrielle Gamba

6. Face both of the uncut portions of the bottle back to back and connect each strand using scotch tape.

STEP 6. PHOTO BY Gabrielle Gamba

7. Use the spare cap for the tail of the lantern and drill two holes using a hammer and nail.

STEP 7. PHOTO BY Gabrielle Gamba

8. Put strings on the bottle cap and connect it to the star.

STEP 8. PHOTO BY Gabrielle Gamba

9. Use the neck part of the bottle for the tassels.

STEP 9. PHOTO BY Gabrielle Gamba

10. Use glue and add glitter to enhance the creativity of the parol. Finally, you now have the star of wonder, star of night!