Sometimes we have this tendency to equate fashion with the showing of skin, more skin and much skin. I’ve been to a few fashion shows, including some for lingerie and swimwear, and skin exposure is inevitable. Even wedding gowns which, in my younger days, used to mean long white sleeves and high-collared gowns have now evolved to the point where you sometimes wonder if the gown is too scanty to be worn in front of the altar.
Today, I was privileged to experience a different kind of fashion show in Manila – the first of its kind in Manila. All the beautiful models were covered from head to toe – beautifully! This was the Islamic Fashion Festival Manila 2012 (IFF), hosted by the Malaysian Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Dato’ Sri Dr. Ng Yen Yen.
The IFF was launched in 2006. Its aim – “To build an updated visual and cultural reference from which Islam can be related to the modern world through the creative arena of fashion divorced from political, economic and social strife”. The very first IFF was held in Kuala Lumpur in 2006 and eventually, showcases were held in places like Abu Dhabi, Astana, Bandung, Dubai, Singapore and Kota Bharu as well as New York, Monte Carlo and London. Now, add Manila to that list. “Manila..has the honour of being the curtain-raiser for the series of IFF showcases for 2012” says Raja Rezza Shah, Founder & Chairman of IFF.
The theme of the festival was very appropriate: “Discover the Beauty of Modesty”. In a world where our children are growing up thinking fashion means wearing the shortest skirts, the lowest neckline, the barest backs and so on, seeing the Malaysian models parade down the catwalk fully covered up was an eye-opener for me to the world of Islamic fashion. You can look fashionable, classy and stylish while remaining fully covered.
The collections of 7 designers (Malaysian and Filipino) were featured — some in bright and vibrant colors, others in black and white renditions; swirls of sheer cloth in layers of various shades and hues; modern batik designs; exquisite embroidery and bead work; and beautiful turbans and veils wrapped around the head in different ways.
Showcase #1: “Love” by Tom Abang Saufi of Kuala Lumpur
Peonies and Oriental hues inspire this collection which revolves around the universal theme of ‘Love’. I really loved the play of colors – all eye candy! With summer coming up, this collection would look just great.
One of my favorites in the collectionOh, I love this one too! Including the head wrap!
Today, in celebration of the 2012 Spring Festival, we attended our parish’s Chinese Inculturated Family Mass which has been the parish’s practice for some years now.
The church is decked out with Chinese banners and all in red!
What is a Chinese Inculturated Family Mass?
It’s a Catholic Mass – complete in form and substance. But some sections, especially the choice of songs, are sang in Mandarin. Here’s a video of the entrance song as the celebrants file in.
The Chinese culture is cognizant of the special role ancestors play. Even after they have passed on, it is believed that they continue to watch over and guide their descendants. In many Chinese houses, it is normal to find a family altar just for the ancestors with pictures of one’s dearly beloved. And on All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day or other special occasions, flowers and food are placed on the altar and incense sticks are lit up as each family member bows 3 times slowly and respectfully before the altar.
Because the parishioners are largely Chinese, the parish took elements of this practice and incorporated it into the rites after the Mass.
Wine bottles, round fruits, red roses are given as offerings
What makes this Mass special is the Catholic rite of ancestor veneration done after the main Mass. At the back side of the church, an altar was set up. A large painting depicting Chinese saints martyred hangs over the altar. An urn is placed at the front to hold the incense sticks. I took pictures of the two signs that explain the reason for the altar and the Catholic prayers that can be said for one’s ancestors.
The Ancestor Veneration Altar with picture of Chinese martyrs above and an urn for incense sticks
An explanation for the rite of ancestor veneration
Mind you, the term is “ancestor veneration” as opposed to “worship”. It does not replace or seek to put this practice on the same level as worship of God. Far from it. It simply recognizes the filial piety of the Chinese people towards their elders.
Staunch Catholics may feel uncomfortable about what looks like an Eastern practice mixed with the Catholic faith. But if we go back to our Catholic belief that teaches that we are joined in spirit with those who have gone on before us, it makes sense to include and remember them inside the church.
Today was a time to come together as a community. The children loved the performance of the Dragon and Lion Dance Troupe which included my son. Everyone roared with laughter as one of the lions stood on its hind legs, trying again and again to get the 2 red envelopes with money (angpao) that hung from the ceiling. And when it successfully got each envelope with its mouth, the crowd roared and clapped.
This is one reason why I love my parish so much. It’s this kind of spiritual and cultural vibrance and inculturation that keeps one in the faith without losing sight of your roots.
Today is Chinese New Year’s Eve and it is a time of waiting and celebration as we welcome in the Year of the Water Dragon.
(taken from dragonmyths.blogspot.com)
Of all the animal signs in the Chinese zodiac, only the Dragon is mythical and has never been seen by human eye. This is probably one reason why the Chinese go to great lengths to have a dragon baby.
In our family, our eldest girl is an Earth Dragon. And many predict that as 2012 is a Dragon year, the world population will spike as families purposely try to have a dragon baby. Bad news for population watchers!
The Mayan calendar may predict 2012 as the end of what we know as our world but in the Chinese calendar, the Yang Water Dragon is bringing possibilities for good fortune.
Today, the Chinese community in the Philippines will celebrate New Year’s Eve by coming together over lunch and/or dinner. Houses would have been cleaned and swept free of debris. Dragon figurines and fortune plants adorn the house. Those steeped in tradition will strictly follow feng shui advice. As it’s a Sunday today, I am also sure we will see a lot of people in our parish come dressed in red. And maybe tonight, we will hear a round of fireworks.
An antigue dragon lantern stand I inherited from my grandparents
Dragon figurines in our living room
To everyone, here is my family’s greetings for the Chinese New Year. May it be a year of blessings, prosperity, peace and hope for you and your loved ones.
Early dawn today, two areas in Mindanao (a southern island of the Philippines), were hit with sudden and unexpected flash floods from Tropical Storm Sendong (international code name Washi). The floods hit Iligan and Cagayan de Oro around 2AM — when everyone was asleep. Many villagers were caught and trapped wherever they were, with little preparation and no forewarning.
A bloated Pulangui River (photo from Francis Awiten, a blog reader of mindanaoan.com and posted via Twitpic)
A young Sendong victim (photo posted by @mindanaoan via Twitpic, with credits to Atoy M.)
Dumaguete flood (photo owner unknown)
(UPDATE: Bukidnon and Dumaguete likewise need assistance so I will be including in my list donation info for these places as soon as I get them.)
I am creating this post for you, my dear readers, wherever in the world you are. If your heart is touched by some of these pictures, there are many ways you can donate, either in cash (PayPal included) or kind.
Please note that I will try to list as many as I can. I have been listing based on posts in social networking sites, some news sites, government agencies, etc. If I miss some, please leave me a comment at the bottom so I can add to this list.
FINAL UPDATE – DEC. 23, 2011 (4:56 PM)
URGENT NEEDS
Blankets
Bottled water (VERY URGENT!)
Canned goods
Clothes (for those abroad, pls note that there may be some requirements for donating used clothing. Am trying to get confirmation directly from government agencies)
Diapers
Food
Gauze
Hydrogen peroxide
Mats (banig)
Medicines (anti-tetanus vaccines, Betadine, gauze, cotton, bandages, for cough/colds/diarrhea, etc)
Milk (preferably breast milk)
Mosquito nets
Off lotion
Rice
Toiletries (sanitary napkins, toothpaste, etc)
Toothbrushes
Towels
Underwear
Utensils
DSWD Field Office IV-B: 1680 F. T. Benitez St., Malate Manila
Contact: Shiela Tapia (02) 5252445
DSWD relief Samar:
Ludwig Lao, 85 del Rosario St., Catbalogan City or Samar ChamCommerce, DTI Bldg., Catbalogan City CP No. 09189351993
DSWD relief drop off Zamboanga: Ateneo de Zamboanga Univ Gym, La Purisima St., Zamboanga City. Tel 9910871 local 2224 n 2225; 9913711
GMA 5 (Davao) – Please leave donations at Shrine Hills, Matina, Davao (info from @mindanaoan)
GMA Kapuso Foundation – for info on where to bring donations in kind, click HERE
Kristohanong Katilingban sa Pagpakaban (coordinated with Xavier University) – call (088) 8583116 loc 3210 for details
La Salle Greenhills – will start accepting donations Monday, Dec. 19 (info taken from HERE)
Donations in cash and kind will be received at Gate 2 of La Salle Green Hills at 343 Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City 1550. You may call any of the following telephone numbers for further inquiries:
Alumni Office — 721-2729, 722-7750, 725-4720
GS Principal — 721-2482
HS Principal — 721-8914
Buildings and Grounds Office — 721-8904 (Telefax)
La Sallian Mission Office — 726-5851 (Telefax)
National Resource Operations Center (NROC) – Chapel Rd. Pasay City (Back of Air Transportation Office)
Contact: Francia Fabian 0918 9302356
OneMeralco Foundation
– accepting cash/kind donations. Please bring between 8am to 5pm to G/F Lopez Building, Meralco Compound, Ortigas Ave., Pasig. Look for Joy. Donations in kind will be issued acknowledgement receipts. Cash donations will be issued official receipts.
Parish of St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental) – receiving cash/relief items. Contact: Msgr. Julius Heruela
TEAM MANILA – they are accepting donations in the following places:
Branches: Mall of Asia, Trinoma and Rockwell
TeamManila Warehouse: 71 Ecoville Townhomes, Metropolitan Ave., Makati. (near Meralco Ayala Ext ofc.)
TeamManila studio: 3rd floor, 20 Jupiter Ave., Valdecon Building, Bel-Air Makati (near Buendia Car Exchange) till 7PM
[important]Strictly for breastmilk donations:
1. 17 Green Grove Villa, Lantana Rd., Barangay Mariana, New Manila, QC (office of Kalusugan ng Mag-Ina, Inc)
2. UP-PGH Human Milk Bank, 4th Floor, Left Central Block (LCB) c/o Tina or Grace (during office hours) or the NICU Fellow (after office hours)
PGH can pasteurize the breastmilk before sending this to CDO/Iligan.[/important]
CASH DONATIONS (INTERNATIONAL)
Ateneo de Manila University – please see how to donate HERE
Caritas Australia (for Australian residents) – for donation details, please click HERE
GMA Kapuso Foundation – for info on how to donate dollars, click HERE
HELPCDO (PayPal Donations) – Proceeds will be donated and delivered to Xavier University Cagayan de Oro where the members of CDOBloggers are planning to volunteer. (Note: Info received c/o Ria Jose)
Email Address for PayPal donation: francis.siason@gmail.com
Simbahang Lingkod (info taken from HERE)
Direct deposits may be made online from any BPI branches, pay to:
Account Name/Payee: SIMBAHANG LINGKOD NG BAYAN
Bank Name: Bank of the Philippine Islands (Loyola-Katipunan Branch)
Dollar Savings Account Number: 3084-0420-12
TV5 Kapatid Foundation Inc.
BDO Savings Account No. 005310-410164
Bank of the Philippine Islands Savings Account No. 1443-05333-2
For inquiries, please call News5 Aksyon Center hotline – 938-6393.
This Christmas I am doing something totally different. I am going Christmas lights-less INSIDE the house.
I love Christmas lights and for many, many years, my tree was filled with them. Not only that. The bannisters of my stairs where I had strung evergreens, was also lighted up. But after all the horrific Christmas fire stories I have read over the years, I realized that I could be putting my family at risk with this practice. For example, what if the lights along the stairs shorted and a fire started there? We would be trapped on the second floor with no means of escape.
The only concession I have is outdoor lights which I purchased for our gate. And I made sure all the boxes bore the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) sticker that signifies it has passed inspection.
This is what my Christmas tree looks like as of now. If I find the time to brave Manila traffic, I just may add a bit more decor. But for now, I’m focusing on making the tree bright without having to add lights.
But if you really want to brighten up your home with Christmas lights indoors, here are some tips I got directly from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) website (emphasis is mine):
Check for the ICC Mark or the Import Commodity Clearance Sticker.Christmas lights with ICC marks mean they passed the mandatory safety tests of DTI. Thus, make them safe and reliable to use.
Beware of fake ICC Mark Stickers. Genuine ICC stickers are not pre-printed on the packaging of the products. A genuine ICC mark is a foil-like hologram sticker which bears the ICC seal and the serial number and year of certification.
Check for the year of certification on the ICC sticker. The latest ICC stickers were issued from 2009 onwards. Products with ICC marks issued before 2009 may have already deteriorated in quality and are not safe to use.
Check the packaging. It should have the complete name and address of the importer or distributor, rated voltage and wattage of the set, rated voltage and wattage of the lamps, the words “For indoor use only”, the batch/lot code and bar code, brand name, the standard used (PNS 189:2000) and country of origin of the package.
Check the outside diameter size of the wire. This should be 1.5 millimeters in diameter.
Avoid connecting multiple sets of Christmas lights. Up to three (3) 50-bulb sets of Christmas lights may be connected and up to two (2) for 100-bulb set of lights.
In another press release, the DTI added further announcements regarding Christmas lights (excerpt below, emphasis is mine):
A set of Christmas lights is a regulated product under the DTI-Bureau of Product Standards (DTI-BPS) Product Certification Scheme (Annex A). It requires the manufacturers and importers or distributors of this product to secure the Philippine Standard (PS) license or the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) certificate, respectively, based on the Republic Act 4109 (Standards Law), the Department Administrative Order No 01:1997 and DAO 05:2001.
Please take note, however, that the DTI-BPS has not awarded the PS license to any manufacturer since 2007. Therefore, no sets of Christmas lights with the PS mark should be found in the market.
As of 08 November 2011, the DTI-BPS has issued the ICC certificate to 16 importers/distributors with 26 brands (Annex B) to use the ICC mark on the packages of their sets of Christmas lights. The sets of Christmas lights of these importers are certified by the DTI-BPS to be reliable and safe to use. Moreover, the DTI declared that only those importers that have been issued the ICC certificate from 2009 to present could sell their sets of Christmas lights with the ICC marks (Annex C). Thus, no sets of imported Christmas lights with 2008 or earlier than this year when the ICC was issued should be found in the market.
The DTI also cautions buyers to check for the valid ICC seal. I got this photo from one of their downloadable forms that shows the valid ICC seal compared to the invalid ones.
This is the valid ICC seal on the box of one of the outdoor lights I bought
Today, a team representing themselves as being from Meralco, came to the house to change our electric meter. I had no advance notice about meter changes and seeing that this is Christmas time, I was a little wary at first. Was this for real or some scheme by no-good-doers?
Well, don’t worry. It is legit. The 2 people from Meralco (they came with proper identification) were here to replace my very old analog electric meter with a new one – this time, it’s digital!
Reading the meter will be so much easier for the Meralco meter readers since the clock-like representation of the numbers on the old analog meter will now be replaced by digital numbers. Also, in the old meter, the power usage indicator is the speed of the spinning disc inside the meter. In the digital meter, this is the digital numbers at the lower left of the meter.
My old analog meter
My new digital meter
To prevent tampering, Meralco attached their own seal on the meter.
Meralco seal
The meter switch only takes a few minutes. They’ll need to shut off power to your home during the change, that’s all.
The move to digital meters, I believe, is just the start of more services coming to Meralco’s consumers. E-services that are coming need to work with digital meters. Already, Meralco has announced that they will be introducing prepaid electricity.
It may be good to advise whoever are left in your homes that Meralco is changing meters so they don’t get alarmed especially during the holiday season. But always err on the side of caution and demand proper identification.
