짐잉글리쉬

How was your weekend?
The most common greeting we ask every Monday.

-Mr. Jansy

 

The weekend is the most awaited time of the week for most of our teachers, including the Philippine Office administrative staff. It is a period for rest, errands, family, church and most importantly, laundry time for our full-time home-based Moms and Dads. It is also a special day for everyone to celebrate special occasions with family, friends and relatives.

 

As a response to today’s article’s title How was your weekend?, I would like to share that we were invited by our Philippine office coordinator, Ms. Hanna, to witness her daughter’s dedication. It is another milestone for her and her family, and we were lucky to witness it with other teachers. I remember attending Ms. Belle’s son’s christening last 2009. I felt so lucky and overwhelmed at the same time, for being given the chance to take part in my co-workers’ memorable family events. I felt like I was part of their families, too.

 

In the Philippines, attending co-workers’ family events is a bonus, as it means you are welcome to meet their family and spend extra time with them enjoying food and listening to their stories. They usually introduce you as a friend, not as a co-worker, since you are not together during working hours. It feels awkward at first, but with Filipinos, it is common. That is why it is very easy for us to befriend and invite foreign friends or acquaintances to our home or country. Attending both Ms. Hanna and Ms. Belle’s memorable personal events is a wonderful and unforgettable experience for me. I’m thankful to both of them!

 

The dedication or christening of a child is a milestone event after a mother gives birth to her child. It is a significant occasion for Filipinos, as we are proud to be the only Christian nation in Asia. More than 86% of our population is Roman Catholic, 6% belong to various nationalized religions, 2% belong to over 100 Protestant denominations, 4% are Muslim minority and lastly, 2% follow non-Western, indigenous beliefs and practices. Now, you have an idea what a dedication, christening or baptism is if your teacher ever shares that he or she attended one during the weekend. It is a day with friends and family, and it involves food, faith and culture. Visiting our country soon? We will be more than happy to invite you, regardless of what your religion is, what county you are from, and whether you bear presents or not, because your presence is what counts the most. Just don’t forget to bring your biggest smile during the picturan!

 

 

 

• Errand/s –(Noun) A short trip that is taken in the performance of a necessary task or mission
• Coordinator – (Noun) Someone whose task is to see that work goes harmoniously
• Dedication – A Christian ceremony where an infant is dedicated to God and is welcomed into the church.
• Milestones – (Noun) A significant event in your life.
• Christening – Christian sacrament marked by ritual use of water and signifies the admission of its recipient to the Christian community.
• Overwhelmed – (Verb) Overcome, as with emotions or perceptual stimuli.
• Awkward – (Adjective) Socially uncomfortable; unsure and constrained in manner.
• Protestant – (Noun) An adherent of Protestantism
• Muslim – (Noun) A believer in or follower of Islam
• Indigenous – (Adjective) Originating where it is found.
• Baptism – (None) A Christian sacrament signifying spiritual cleansing and rebirth
• Present/s – (Verb) Give as a present; make a gift of
• Presence – (Noun) The state of being present; current existence
• Picturan–(Verb) Filipino slang for picture- taking.

Sources:

Difference – Christening, Baptism and Dedication:
https://www.invitationsbydawn.com/blog/2015/04/christening-baptism-and-dedication-whats-the-difference-12653.html

Religion in the Philippines

https://asiasociety.org/education/religion-philippines