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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Summer in the Philippines, the best time to Travel

Summer in the Philippines is the best season to travel around the country.

Coinciding with vacation from school, it is a good time to tag along the kids and bond into a summer outing or any other fun summer activities.

Anyone can make the best of the summer season by traveling and incorporating it with fun-filled activities best enjoyed with the family and friends.

Baguio is the summer capital of the country and is often the destination of those who want to escape the heat, felt most specially in the crowded Metro Manila. Apart from Baguio, famous cool destinations are Sagada of the Mountain Province and Tagaytay in southern Luzon.

Our country consists of thousands of islands. If your summer outing plans is the usual overnight swimming, you will never run out of beautiful clear water and white sand beaches. Even within Metro Manila, swimming pools and resorts apart from those in hotels can cool anyone's thirst to swim.

Of course, world reknowned beaches such as Boracay, Puerto Galera need no introduction. But there are also other not-yet-famous but equally captivating beaches across the country. The less traveled so-to-speak but any traveler can enjoy them more because they can practically on his/her own in them.

Hiking and mountain climbing is another good summer outing idea in the Philippines. With lots of mountains and rolling hills, there so much out there to conquer. I've been lucky enough to experience this a few times and I would say that reaching the peak of any mountain is really exhilirating and self-fulfilling.

Because of the dry weather, historical tours is also nice to do in the summer. There's Corregidor and Bataan, rich in history of the Filipino valor. Or perhaps the walled city of Intramuros. I definitely remember going there during the WOW Philippines. (Will soon check if it is existing.)

Summer is the best time to tour the Philippines.

What's your summer outing plan?

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