Summer in Philippines - Circumcision for Young Boys

Noise coming outside our compound's gate woke me this morning. when I peeked, young boys are lining up on the street towards the Christian building across the street.

I later found out that the Christian org is sponsoring free circumcision for those boys in line.

Yes, summer in the Philippines is also associated with circumcision. Summer vacation allows boys undergoing this procedure have ample time to heal.

Summer is Circumcision time in the Philippines
Image from here.

Circumcision, the removal of the foreskin of a male's penis, is a rite of passage for young boys in our country. Apart from tradition, the ongoing belief is that it is good for the male hygiene.

Some 20 summers ago, I myself went through it. I can still recall the lovely nurse that aided that female doctor who ushered me into manhood.

In older times of my kuyas, circumsicion isn't done by doctors. During those days tuli is conducted via "pukpok". Tales of a local (often an albularyo) using a labaja for the removal of the foreskin, boys chewing guava leaves, jumping to a nearby river, wearing skirt or loose shorts, protecting the "cut" from being seen by females and words like "german cut" & "nangamatis" were common.

I do not hear circumscion via "pukpok" anymore. Most circumcision are now done by doctors just like mine. Clinics nowadays have signages about circumcision. One, I saw, charge 750 php. I think that is well and good for the next generation of males.

Those boys who lined up this morning will go to bed tonight as young men and their parents will be thankful of the savings.

Newly-circumcised Boys
Collage Images found Online

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The Way of the Cross at Fort Santiago

Me and GF Tintin did the Way of the Cross @ Fort Santiago last Maundy Thursday.

The usual activity during Maundy Thursdays of the Holy Week is the Visita Iglesia. But I was concerned that Tintin might get too tired to complete the my college buddies' usual Visita Iglesia - the Way of the Cross at 14 different churches across Manila by walking.

We ended up with a spiritual summer outing accompanied with travel.

Maundy Thursday Activity - The Way of the Cross
@ the Bamboo Garden in Fort Santiago, April 21, 2011

A week ago, I found an alternative thru a news feature. I mistook it to be a depiction of the 14 stations of the cross spread within the walled city of Intramuros. It was only on the day itself that I realized that the Way of cross is ONLY at a portion inside Fort Santiago.

A plan is a plan. The good thing is that it was Tintin's first time to visit Fort santiago. We arrived early. The entrance fee for Adults is at Php 75.00 per person. As we wandered inside the famous Fort looking for the section of the Way of the Cross, we took the time to sightsee and take photos.

The Way of the Cross was at the Bamboo Garden. Though the stations set up by government agencies & schools inside Inramuros were less than I imagined, it nevertheless really served our purpose. With the place practically to ourselves, it was easier to concentrate on the prayers & meditations about the passion of Jesus Christ and His eventual glorious resurrection.

The First Station of the Cross
Jesus Celebrates the Last Supper

Much like our spiritual retreat, this different kind summer outing of sorts gave the two of us the chance to ask God to bless our relationship and help us go forward with Him as our guide.

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Spiritual Retreat Kicks off A Promising Summer

Last Sunday, me and girlfriend Tintin participated in a spiritual retreat organized by my high school alumni org at Fr. Al's Retreat House inside the Sisters of Mary School Complex in Silang Cavite.

I would have to say that the spiritual retreat kicked off a promising summer for both of us.

GF Tintin outside Fr. Al's Retreat House & Memorabilia Building

It was a great time spent on reflecting one's spirituality.

First, the participants were made to watch the life of St. Peter the Apostle as he and the other apostles spread the message about Jesus Christ and the eventual establishment of the faith in Rome.

What I took from the film was that even if you disown Jesus like Peter, even if you're a murdere like Saul/Paul, you are still loved by God and He can change you. It would be struggle to pursue a life dedicated to God but it is something worth dying for.

Next was one of last videos made by Fr. Al to the benefactors of his charity works. I felt ashamed at shunning away from hard responsibilities when this man, Fr. Al, stricken with ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease worked for so many charitable causes until his last breath. Later that day, I pledge to support FACFI - Fr. AL's Children's Foundation Inc. - the funding arm of the Sisters of Mary in the Philippines.

Aside from reflection, we also prayed the rosary and attended the Palm Sunday mass. We would also have prayed the Stations of the Cross but time did not permit.

As for the rosary, it was the first time since I graduated from high school (1995) that I kneeled the whole time. And I forgot most of the prayers said after the regular rosary.

All in all, it was a great day in terms of finding out the state of my soul and I came up more determined to change my bad ways by trying to recall the things taught while I was still a student inside the Sisters of Mary.

Also, I am glad that girlfriend Tintin came along in this activity. Doing things together will definitely make us closer. But doing a spiritual retreat together will guide our relationship towards God.

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Spiritual Retreat - A Different Kind of Summer Outing

For Filipino Catholics like me, summer in the Philippines is also the time of Lent and Holy Week. This is a good time to participate in a spiritual retreat.

Admittedly, spiritual retreats can be done any time of the year, but it is more timely during the summer. Besides, the Holy Week, is oftentimes declared a long holiday. So, it is easier on the schedule.

I, for one, have made reservation to attend a spiritual retreat tomorrow.

I believe that finding time to look into one's spirituality is great to be a part of anyone's summer plans. It is not as pleasurable as going to the beach or trekking the mountains, but there's really fulfillment after going through it.

This Sunday, my girlfriend and I will attend a pre-holy-week spiritual retreat at my high school alma mater in Silang, Cavite. Modesty aside, our school grounds are highly conducive to meditation and contemplation. When you are communing with nature, it is easier to think about God, the soul and spirituality in general.

I'm looking forward to this spiritual retreat, and I believe it will make my summer all the more fun.

:)

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