Mano Po Ninong, Mano Po Ninang

December 3, 2011 - A former rondalla mate, Grace M., told me that she saw this artwork in Light Rail Transit 1 (LRT 1)'s video ad in their train stations. Well, they didn't even ask consent to use that in commercial purposes.

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January 24, 2010 - I won the 2nd place! Maraming salamat po sa ! Yeaaaaaaah! Salamat po sa subscription!
[link]

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It is a tradition for Filipino children to kiss or touch to their forehead the hand of an old person they meet. This is called mano, from the Spanish word for hand. When done to their godfather or godmother, kids expect a monetary gift, especially during Christmas.

^{From [link]}

Po = a word added to a phrase to show respect, e.g. "Thank you po!"
Mano = hand in Spanish
Ninong = godfather in Tagalog
Ninang = godmother in Tagalog

I remember when I was a kid, during December 25, when it's time for exchanging gifts, my uncles and aunts would ask the kids to fall in line so we'd get some fresh-from-the-bank crispy twenty-peso bills in red packets (We're not Chinese, but it's been my relatives' tradition to give Ang Paos to the kids). And also, a bigger amount is given if you're their lucky godson or goddaughter. And take note, that's regardless of your age or profession. Like me, I'm now working but my godparents still give me Christmas gifts/money hehe

Receiving gifts is one exciting thing during Christmas. But as the cliché goes, "It's better to give than to receive," I've learned that the more generous you are and the more you share your blessings to others, God will pour down His riches so you'd be a channel of His blessings (plus tithe-giving is important). This Christmas, we celebrate the season when God gave us his most precious gift, Jesus Christ his only Son, to save us from our sins. May we always remember that Jesus Christ is the reason for this season.


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Entry for devPinoy's Pasko at Bagong Taon ng Mga Pinoy Contest. Check the gallery here.