The Chinese calendar
Marami sa atin ang nagtataka kung
bakit ang Chinese New Year does not fall on the
first of January. The answer to this puzzle lies
on the traditional Chinese calendar. Each year,
the Chinese New Year falls on a different date.
In 2006, it fell on January 29; in 2007, on February
18. This year, Chinese New Year happens on February
9. The Chinese calendar dates back thousands of
years measuring time based on astrological movements
of the stars, sun and moon. It doesn’t add
leap days like the international calendar, but instead
adds entire leap months. Daily and yearly cycles
are based on the solar and lunar systems with one
year being equivalent to one orbit around the sun.
Solar months are based on the position
of the sun in the tropical zodiac, which is similar
to western astrology. The year is made up of 24
solar months with names such as Start of Spring,
Rain Water, Excited Insects, Vernal Equinox, Clear
and Bright, and Grain and Rains. You will see that
these six months represent the spring season and
proved useful to ancient Chinese farmers.
There are 12 lunar months and each
begins on the first day of the new moon. These months
are named for 12 different animals starting with
Tiger at the Start of Spring. In addition to numbering
the year, each year is also represented by one of
12 animals – the same animals of the lunar
months. These animals rotate in 12-year cycles.
For example, 2007 was the Year of the Pig, which
is the last animal in the rotation. The cycle begins
again in 2008 with theYear of the Rat.
The Year of the Rat: 1912,
1924,1936,1948,1960,1972,1984,1996
According to the Chinese calendar,
people born in the Year of the Rat are noted for
their charm and attraction for the opposite sex.
They work hard to achieve their goals, acquire possessions
and are likely to be perfectionists. They are basically
thrifty with money. Rat people are easily angered
and love to gossip (I was not born on the Year of
the Rat). Their ambitions are big, and they are
usually very successful. They are most compatible
with people born in the years of the Dragon, Monkey,
and Ox.
Chinese New Year traditions
Of all the traditional Chinese festivals, the New
Year is perhaps the most elaborate, colorful, and
important. This is a time for the Chinese to congratulate
each other on having passed another year, a time
to bid goodbye to the old, and to welcome in the
new.
The New Year’s Day celebration
is strictly a family affair. All members of the
family would gather for the important family meal.
Even if a family member cannot attend, an empty
seat would be kept to symbolize that person’s
presence at the banquet.
On New Year’s Day, the children
are given Red Lai-See Envelopes, good luck money
wrapped in little red envelopes. Tangerines and
oranges are frequently displayed in homes and stores.
Tangerines are symbolic of good luck, and oranges
are symbolic of wealth.
Shooting off firecrackers on New Year’s Eve
is the Chinese way of sending out the old year and
welcoming in the New Year. On the stroke of midnight
on New Year’s Eve, every door in the house
and windows would have to be open to allow the old
year to go out.
Kabayan, we don’t have to
be Chinese to celebrate Chinese New Year. Good fortune,
happiness, and prosperity are universal. Let us
celebrate the Chinese New Year and experience a
beautiful cultural tradition.
2008 New Year’s Eve
celebration
For Filipinos, the New Year is greeted
on the bisperas ng Bagong Taon with a lavish feast,
called media noche. Round-shaped foods and sticky
or glutinous rice-based foods are served. What better
way to celebrate the big night than with family
and friends? It doesn’t matter where you whoop
it up, as long you can say you rang in the New Year
with loved ones.
This year I was with the company
of my friends, Tonton Remoroza and John Hilotin.
At the start of the evening, we had to split up
to be in two different places. John and Tonton were
at the party of a friend Jane Munoz in Bellevue
while I was at the Christmas party of Alvin and
Wennie Abela in Renton. Although our schedule was
very tight, we managed to stop by the Christmas
party of the Filipino Community of Seattle. For
the countdown, we were at Vallie Pavino’s
place.
Incidentally, at the party of the
Abelas, I met Paul Camara. My attention was caught
by his style of singing during the karaoke session
after dinner. He sang like a professional. My hunch
was correct. I was told Paul competed in the Bagong
Kampeon show in the Philippines hosted by Pilita
Coralles and the late Bert “Tawa” Marcelo.
Paul won in the singing contest but it was Regine
Velasquez who ended up defeating him. “Bagong
Kampeon in 1983 was the start of Regine’s
career in singing,” Paul said.
Manila, here I come again
By the time this issue comes out,
I will already be in Manila. It is a combination
of business-pleasure trip. One Philippines is paying
for my airfare
One reason why I am visiting Manila
is to finalize the visit of Coro Basilica de Malolos
to Seattle, Washington on April 13 to 15, 2008.
Thank you to all those who have accepted my invitation
to host the members of the Coro, 32 of them, during
their three-day stay in Seattle. Thanks to Rod and
Ruby Francisco, Vallie Pavino, Hector and Josie
Gola, Lucky Tan-Vital, Rey and Nolie Asuzena, Baby
Turla, Erly and Josie Leyva, Alvin and Wenie Reyes-Abela,
Orly and Flor Tanjutco, Mars and Angela Rivera,
Norman Domingo, Myrna Victoriano, Mariella Fletcher,
Tess Atayde, Mina Guevara, and Melanie Bunselmeyer.
If you wish to be a host or to help me in this project,
please call me at 206-755-8717 or email me at drprotacio@comcast.net.
The Coro Basilica de Malolos
The Coro was formed in the 1970’s
as a church based group. For the past three decades,
they have shared their music with Filipinos across
the country. While still singing at Sunday masses
at the Basilica Minore de Immaculada Concepcion,
they have expanded their reach by doing full concerts,
theater, CD recordings and performances in many
social and civic events. Their concerts highlight
Philippine culture, particularly the Bulakenyo spirit,
in song and dance. They have been victorious when
participating in local and national choral competitions.
For two consecutive years, the Coro has been handpicked
by the Department of Tourism as the country’s
representative to the Philippine Christmas Festival
held in Seoul, Korea in 2000 and 2001.
Now as they begin their fourth decade,
the Coro is all set to share music excellence with
audiences across the USA and Canada. The vibrant
group of young singers, full of enthusiasm and passion,
are geared up to present to you Paglalakbay …
1st International Goodwill Concert Tour.
The Coro’s U.S. tour is for
the benefit of not only the Coro but also to help
in the maintenance projects of the Basilica Minore
de Immaculada Concepcion, the construction of the
Santissima Trinidad Parish, and Nazareth, Home for
street children. I will provide you with the details
of the concert when I return from my trip to the
Philippines.
Aroane Dineros: a child
of God
As Jesus said, “Let the little
children come to me and do not stop them, for it
is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.”
Because of this, the Filipino American Christian
Church (FACC) consecrates Aroane to the Lord in
a special service held on Sunday, January 6, 2008
service.
During the consecration, Pastor
James McElroy invited the family forward together
with the ninongs and ninangs. They were asked to
make some promises concerning their important role
in raising the child. Then the congregation promised
to receive and nurture the child, as well as the
parents of the child, Roger and Anne Dineros.
Paul Rumbaoa marks 90
When I got the phone call inviting
me to the birthday party of Paul Rumbaoa, “Daddy
Paul” to everybody, I made sure I did not
miss this special occasion. I believe birthday celebrations
that are earned are those for people past the age
of 70. People in their 70’s, 80’s, 90’s
and increasingly, 100 and above, have lived lives
worth celebrating. I went to the party of Daddy
Paul last January 5 at the Holiday Inn in Renton.
His family from California, headed by his youngest
brother, Pete, came to celebrate. Daddy Paul’s
son, Glenn, composed a special song for him. Glenn
and cousin Brian Rosete were the evening’s
anchors. Florida Flor serenaded the birthday celebrant.
Bert Caoili did an impersonation of Elvis Presley
and led the line dancing. Daddy Paul’s wife,
Belle, and her sister, Adelle V. Seballos, sang
“Dahil sa Iyo.” Hearthlight Band, with
vocalists Tess and Edgar Mesina, provided the evening’s
dance music. There was a lot of warmth, a lot of
laughter, and an enormous appreciation for Daddy
Paul. It was a delightful evening filled with love.
Christmas trivia
Last December, I tested the knowledge
of my readers regarding the Christmas message in
different languages. Due to the mailing traffic
during the holiday season, I decided to extend the
deadline for another week. Thank you to all those
who participated. If you did not indicate the name
of the Filipino store that you wish to claim your
prize from, please do so now.
Here are the answers to the quiz:
Feliz Navidad (Spanish), Buon Natale (Italian),
Joyeux Noel (French), Frohliche Weihnachten (German),
Selamat Hari Natal (Indonesia), Chuc Mung Giang
Sinh (Vietnamese), Mele Kalikimaka (Hawaiian), Shinnen
Omedeto (Japanese), and Maligayang Pasko (Tagalog).
I’d like to share with you
one of the emails I received. It came from Rufo
Calvo of Seattle. It is interesting to note that
Rufo is not a Filipino.
Hello Dr. P.
I am hoping I am not too late in
answering your quiz about Merry Christmas in different
languages. My answers are listed below (his correct
answers omitted as space saver).
Instead of a Hershey’s bar...
can I just get a karioka from Fil-Am? Please advise
if that will be ok.
Looking forward to more “fair
and balanced” stories from you in 2008. I
find your stories quite frank and entertaining.
As a non-Filipino I enjoy reading One Philippines
but mostly I look forward to your column each time.
Your faithful fan,
Mr. Rufo Calvo
Seattle
To Rufo and all my readers, salamat
sa patuloy ninyong pagtangkilik sa One Philippines
at higit sa lahat, sa aking column, “Fair
and Balanced.” Ang inyong mga emails ay nakakataba
ng puso.
