Essential Oils in the Philippines

Are there essential oils in the Philippines? Yes, there are, mostly imported ones. But here, we'd be talking about the ones produced here.

The Philippines is a great country with a lot of natural resources and a huge diversity of plants and trees. Once upon a time, our country leads the world in rice research and production. There was also a time when we led the world in coffee production. Right now, we lead the world in coconuts and in calamansi. We have the potential to develop our agricultural capacity in producing crops that possesses lots of essential oils.

Women's Sexuality in the Old Philippines

Much has been said about the political and economic situation of the Old Philippines in the history books. There's been something written and published about the campaigns of the Spanish Conquistadors, the Missionaries, the Galleon Trade and the likes. History classes taught us all of these milestones but very briefly about the lifestyle and culture of ours during the different centuries of our history. One thing not readily available is sexuality.

In the late 15th century, a certain historian and Jesuit priest, Pedro Chirino wrote about his stay in the country, as well as the behavior of our ancestors. He, like the other missionaries, were quick to see the practices of early Filipinos.

Philippine National Anthem Joey Ayala Version

Photo from Inquirer

The Philippine National Anthem today wasn't made to be the song to stir patriotism in the hearts of every Filipino. Its lyrics came from the poet Jose Palma and the arrangement came from Julian Felipe. Neither was it intentionally put together to be the National Anthem as Julian Felipe created his marching music in 1898 while Jose Palma made his poem in Spanish during 1899. Through the years after the revolution, while we were forming our identity, the current version was ratified and used ever since.

There's a lot of fierceness, pride and passion in the words and music of our National Anthem. Even after so many years of singing and hearing it, the stir of patriotism is always being awakened. Or maybe that is just true to people who don't take the words of our anthem for granted. But at the very least, hearing the national anthem play or singing it makes Filipinos proud in one way or another.

Finding Strength After the Storm

After withstanding the strongest recorded typhoon in history, the survivors of Yolanda showed the heart and spirit of Filipinos. The CNN broadcast journalist Anderson Cooper has been overwhelmed by how we Filipinos are in times of calamity and disaster. There's the good side and the bad side, but what Anderson can't get out of his mind is the best of the Filipino People.

Here's the video Anderson Cooper's report on CNN:

When everything else is taken away, broken, battered, soaked, raw, stripped bare, you see things. You see people as they really are. This week in Tacloban, Samar and Cebu, amidst the hunger and thirst, the chaos and confusion, we've seen the best in the Filipino people. Their strength, their courage. I can't get it out of my mind. Imagine the strength it takes for a mother to search alone for her missing kids, the strength to sleep; on the street near the body of her child.

We've seen people with every reason to despair, every right to be angry, instead find ways to laugh, to love, to stand up, to move forward.

A storm breaks wood and bone, brings hurt and heartbreak. In the end, the wind, the water, the horror it brings is not the end of the story.

With aid and assistance, compassion and care, this place, these people...they will make it through. They already survived the worst. They're bowed, perhaps tired and traumatized, but they are not broken.

Mabuhay Philippines! Maraming salamat for all you've shown us. Maraming salamat for showing us all how to live.

Shift: The Call Center Culture Movie

Way back then, I belong to the call center industry. At the time when the aggressive growth of the BPO industry in the country was starting, I was an agent working to help finish off the last few months of college. To say that people in the call center behave differently than those who work in the regular office hours is an understatement. There is a different culture of Filipinos out there, and Shift is the first movie I've seen that "somehow" showed some light to the lives of individuals working in the BPO sector.

The film centers at Estela (Yeng Constantino), a no-boyfriend-since-birth girl working in a call center and Trevor (Felix Roco), a gay senior agent on Estela's team brought closer together because of a mentoring program initiated by their team leader. It is still a story of love, and how the plot ended, its up to you to find out when you watch the movie. But as a teaser of how the story went, imagine a love caught between gender orientation and preferences.

The Filipino Spirit is Indomitable

After the rampage and destruction of the strongest typhoon ever to hit the Philippines, the sun is out and we Filipinos have started to walk away from the ruins and began to build our lives again.


As the whole world slowly begins to know what happened to the most hard hit areas, a CNN article received a comment that is both awesome and inspirational. I'd rather that you read it for yourself and know how the whole world sees us Filipinos.

We just keep going on and smile. Its what we do with or without the world watching.

Pamamanhikan in Aklan

Image from Paolo Denali

The advancement of technology and the influence of global culture have contributed greatly in the changes that happened to our culture and practices. As our lives were changed, so were our beliefs and traditions that little by little were given up. How we do things nowadays have a huge disparity over what ancestors did. The love and courtship rituals, are also affected.

During the time of our grandparents or great-grand parents, in the province of Aklan, love, courtship and marriage is a long and comprehensive process. From selecting a partner until the time the night of the wedding, there are several recommendations on how this has to go through. What stands out is the close involvement of parents in the process, which have a higher influence on the outcome of the relationship. To ask the hand of a woman in marriage from her parents is a make-or-break milestone back then.

See the paper in detail, written by Melchor Cichon which is posted on this page: http://anahawleaf.blogspot.com/2012/11/pamaeaye-in-aklan-and-its-role-in-value.html

An Email Question on Anting-anting

I've been getting many emails about anting-antings. Many have been asking me where they can find one or help them in getting some. There are people who seek for protection, for love, for improvement of relationships and and others. Others are just curious, and some are apparently searching really hard. I would like to share one email and my reply to his questions. This was originally written in Filipino, and I took the liberty of translating it in English:

Good Day Pinoy Warrior, I wish to learn where I can get anting-anting that can protect against sickness, calamities and harm. I am a man living in a violent neighborhood and I usually encounter trouble and I fear for my life. I would like to protect myself, and in the future, have the capability of protecting my family. Please tell me where to buy or teach me how I can make one as I heard you can make your own, as long as you understand. I am also interested in getting the anting-anting that can bring luck and wealth. I want to understand how to use it too and know how it works.

To which I answered (also translated to English):

Inaugural Speech of Marcos 1965

Inaugural Address

of

His Excellency Ferdinand E. Marcos

[Delivered at the Quirino Grandstand, Manila on December 30, 1965]

Image from Joselito Angeles

Do's and Don'ts of the Philippine Flag

In accordance to Executive Order No. 179, of 1994, we are encourage to display, in our homes and all practicable places, prominently the symbol of our nation from May 28 until June 12 every year. However, not everyone is aware of the Do's and Don'ts of displaying the Philippine Flag, so it is prone to desecration. As public service, we've come up with an article describing the guidelines of taking care of our Flag.

The contents of this article are sourced from the National Historical Commission Website.

Philippine Flag History

From HopeandFail.com

"Ang kislap ng watawat mo'y tagumpay na nagniningning. Ang bituin at araw niya kailan pa ma'y di magdidilim."

These are the translated words of Jose Palma, a poet and soldier, to be rendered in accordance with the musical composition of Julian Felipe. The verse talks about the symbols of the Philippine Flag, and what it should represent for every Filipino. Should.

Our nation's flag tells everyone a story, which has been a part of our school's curriculum since the primary education stages. We've grown so used to it that many might have taken it for granted, thus forgotten or just became out of mind. What the Philippine Flag meant for our ancestors just don't mean as much to many Filipinos anymore. Like the flag's evolution, its meaning too might have evolved.

A Taste of Filipino Cigarettes

Finally, after quite a long wait, more than a year after posting Chasing Filipino Cigarettes, I've managed to get hold of Filipino Cigarettes. It took a trip to the central market of Gapan, Nueva Ecija to get these because they're not available here in Metro Manila. A previous discussion with the makers of these cigarettes didn't really help much, to which they suggested to go to Tarlac to buy their products.

Each pack contains 30 cigarillos, no filters unlike the more popular American Blended ones. Their packaging, wrapped in printed paper, much like the way it was done before during the late Spanish times. Might not be the best way to preserve flavor in the sticks, but who can complain since they cost very, very cheap. One of the brands sells for around 12 pesos.

Anting-anting Making in Mount Banahaw

Anting-anting are among the most sought after mystical objects here in the Philippines during the time of our forefathers, that still persist even today. Deeply embedded in the Filipino culture is the belief in talismans or amulets, rooted from the religious tendency and piety of Pinoys. Since the time of our ancestors, men and women have been searching for various anting-anting, while some have been making these. An encounter with a "maker" of anting-anting at the foot of Mount Banahaw gave more insights on how these things work.

Namamasko Po

From HunnieBunch Flickr

During December 25, it is customary for us Filipinos to go around the houses of ninongs and ninangs to ask them for pamasko. Filipino children would wear their new clothes, shoes and other stuff they got as gifts. Sometimes they get gifts, some get aguinaldo, then they are served with some food or goodies left from last night's Noche Buena.

Pamamasko is our way of strengthening our social and communal linkages, bonding with the family and close friends. But there's another facet of this custom.

Alfombras of Pateros

Here in the Philippines, there is a city who's name was said to come from "sapatero" or shoemaker. Marikina became the shoe capital of the Philippines only after World War 2, but in Pateros, shoemaking has been a mainstay industry as well as making "balut."

Because of the innovative shoemaking skills of the people of Pateros, a different line of footwear emerged and it was called "Alfombra." The name means "carpet" in Spanish, and literally, the alfombra is a pair of slippers with carpeting. It is one of the best indoor slippers because of its comfort and durability. Colorful and very appealing, every pair is an absolute beauty. Seemingly, the alfombra is uniquely Filipino and only skilled shoemakers of Pateros can do it correctly.

Aklan Poetry During Wakes

Hambae Inakeanon in its original form

Poetry in Aklan is old, and the 16th century poem "Hambae Inakeanon" was one of the earliest documented proof. Among the great literary minds from Panay Island is an Aklanon known as Dominador Ilio. As a poet, he wrote several books, which may have been coming from the practice of poetry in the traditions of Aklan.

The author of the article entitled "Luwa in Aklan," Melchor Cichon, recounts that at the funeral of his grandmother, people honored her with Luwa in her wake. His grandmother before, recites Luwa on the wakes of friends or relatives who passed away. Read more of how Luwa is being done.

Luwa in Aklan

ni Melchor F. Cichon

A luwa is a form of poetry that is usually written in four lines. It used to be the first stanza of corrido, that kind of poetry that relates the exploits of kings and princess. There are also luwa that are longer ones. There are also luwa  that are used to get the hands of a lady. This is known as enamoracion.

It is said that it is not advisable to recite luwa if one is not in the wake, because it is believed that a member of the family will die if this is done not in its proper place.

AVP Its More Fun in the Philippines

So the Department of Tourism hired a local advertising agency to market the Philippines to the world last 2011. The requirements were to bring out what's uniquely Filipino, a strong online component, and a very catchy tagline, thus "More Fun in the Philippines" was born.

This is old news really. Nevertheless, it is meant to be shared, especially the videos below:

Path of Rituals in Mt. Banahaw

The Filipino Mystical Culture as we know today traces its roots to Mt. Banahaw. The revered mountain spans the borders of Laguna and Quezon attracting thousands of devotees every year during the Holy Week. It is during this time that they camp at the base of the mountain, perform their rituals to recharge their spirituality, test their skills and to mingle with other mystics. Contrary to popular belief, Filipino Mystics have social lives too.

Some come to Mt. Banahaw to renew their energies, while some come to train. The traditional way of learning Philippine Mysticism is undergoing the rigors of mental and spiritual cleansing, sensitivity and training. Every special spot has its challenges and purpose, accompanied by prayers to elevate one's state of spirituality.

Werebeasts in the Philippines

A young man in Malolos, Bulacan was hanging out with his friends late one night. He grew up in the town outskirts near the wide plains. It was very different then. Electricity was reserved for the wealthy, there were no lamp posts to light the rural roads and when its nighttime, its really dark. Most of the lands were either abound with tall talahib or plots of land for farming so its really scary walking alone when its dark. Only the bravest souls stay outside late after dusk.

These boys were testing their bravery and were on the lookout for something. Weeks ago, an old farmer was heading home late in the evening from tuba with friends. He claims a huge black figure suddenly crossed the road in front of him, and when he tried to run, he said the creature attacked him but he was able to get away. The barrio people had mixed reactions to the old farmer's story but fear is the most prevalent. The boys stayed up late to prove that the old farmer was right and to capture the beast.

Filipinos and Natural Soaps

From philippineamericanwar.webs.com

Once upon the Spanish colonial times, hygiene has room for improvement for the normal Filipino. There's a lot of Pinoys going sick simply because hygiene was being ignored. Well, that is true on areas with dense populations, but on rural populations it could be a different story. Cholera and diarrhea are frequent, tuberculosis claims more lives than homicide, other sicknesses are very easy to transfer.

All of these seem to fit prettily in irony since we Filipinos are known for maintaining cleanliness of our bodies. Of course it can also be blamed on not so great living conditions, bad sewage system and contaminated water sources. Due to lack of written accounts, we can't really pin point what is wrong with the way we used take care of ourselves.