Publisher's Note

Publisher’s Note
It was 22 years ago when I arrived in Canada and chose Calgary, Alberta to be my home. Leaving my family and friends behind, it was a new adventure for me to be in a new country without knowing anyone. That was the time I looked for a Filipino community paper and never found any, [...]
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Page added on April 28, 2011

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PINOY ITO, ANONG SAY NYO?

by Estrella “Tata” delos Reyes

BEING A FILIPINO, DO YOU FEEL HOLY WEEK/THE LENTEN SEASON IN CANADA? HOW DO YOU COMPARE IT WITH THE WAY WE CELEBRATE IT BACK HOME?

Malaki ang pagkakaiba ng Semana Santa sa Pilipinas kung ihahambing natin dito sa ibang bansa gaya ng Canada. Karamihan sa ating mga Pilipino ay sagradong Katoliko kaya’t ating ipinagdidiwang ang mahal na araw na taimtim, katulad ng pagpunta sa simbahan para sa Bisita Iglesia. May mga pabasa ng pasyon na ating pagugunita para sa mga aral at pagsasakripisyo ni Hesukristo sa lupa upang iligtas tayo sa ating mga kasalanan. May mga nagaganap na Senakulo,reenactment of Sacrifices of Jesus at tayo rin ay nangingilin (fasting).
Hanggang dito sa Canada ating ginagawa ang mga bagay na ganito dahil ito ang ating nakaugalian ngunit marahil ay di kasing tindi ng pagobserba natin sa Pilipinas sa kadahilanang hindi pa laganap at marahil abala sa iba pang mga gawain.
Ngayon ay mayroon na ring “pabasa” at “Bisita Iglesia”. Salamat sa mga grupo,pamilya, at iba pang congregasyon sa pagsulong nitong magandang kaugalian natin.
Hindi rin mawawala ang Easter egg hunting para sa mga bata at ang pagsasalo-salo ng mga pamilya sa hapag-kainan sa “Pasko ng Pagkabuhay.”(Resurrection day)

-Reth Barnachea

Coming from a family of devout Catholics, I can say that there is a big difference on how we celebrate the Lenten season here in Canada and back home. In the Philippines, we start the celebration with Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday and the Holy Week itself which ends on an Easter Sunday. I still remember my family doing the Visita Iglesia (visiting different churches) on a Good Friday. We would attend a processions and hear mass on Easter Sunday. The many traditions like the pabasa, senakulo, penitensiya and the salubong are among the many things that makes the Holy Week in the Philippines more meaningful and truly a part of our rich culture. Here in Canada, I can say that it is the Easter that is most celebrated.

- “Jonuth”

I think that Filipinos, wherever we are never forget to follow our tradition especially the lent season, which is one of the most important events in our Christian life. Here in Calgary, I found most of us are very active in the church. I sometimes attend the station of the cross at St. Joseph Parish and I’m glad to see lots of our kababayans actively participate. Last year, I’m blessed that one of my good friend invited me to attend the passion of the Christ (pabasa) held at the K of C Hall and was organize by the Knights of Columbus All-Filipino Council. I can’t explain the happiness that I felt and it seemed that I’m in my home land. The choir sang really well in tagalog and the crowd also participated even we are out of tune. I know and I can feel that JESUS is listening to us. That was a great experience! And I’m looking forward for this year at the same place. Happy Easter Everyone!!

Ma Jonie Watemar – Calgary, Alberta

Alam ninyo, hinde ko maramdaman ang Lent sa Canada…..Minsan Ash Wednesday, nagsimba ako ng lunch break..pagbalik ko sa opisina, nasabihan ako na may “dumi” daw sa noo ko…marami ang nakapansin nito at nagulat ako…Alam ko na maraming hinde Kristiyano dito pero di ko alam na talagang halos wala silang alam tungkol sa Lent…tinatanong nila ako kung ano ang ibig sabihin nito…

Kaya para sa akin, importante na maging “vigilant” tayo sa ating mga paniniwala kahit na tayo ay malayo sa ating bansa…..kung hinde man natin maisagawa ang mga tradisyon natin kapag “Semana Santa”, nararapat lamang na ating gunitain ang tunay na kahulugan ng pagdurusa, kamatayan at pagkabuhay ni Jesus sa ating mga buhay para maging magandang ehemplo tayo ng kabutihan ng isang Kristiyano…

Siyanawa…

PAMELA EVASCO-RELLOSA

PINOY ITO, ANONG SAY NYO?

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