Feeling Home at Home (for the aged folks)

Christmas is always happy times. And thats what we brought to St Joseph Homes for the Aged. It was amazing to see the residents big smiles and toothless grin..ump! One resident gave us a thumb up. A hippy perhaps, uh, just a happy fella that has overflowing of acceptance with our mesmerizing Christmas carols. Peace man.

Others are busy putting the most memorable Christmas parties, but we, our CFC household chose to hold  it instead with the old folks.... Caroling at the home of the aged. We didn't receive presents, we gave.

THE CAROLLERS

Fr. Kamil - ang Bisdak nga Indonesian priest

"What is this night mass about Daddy?", blurted my eldest son. Er, er..."Its a Simbang Gabi". Again Nico, inquisitively asked, "What? Sinbad Ghavi?" (Sinbad, the Sailor http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinbad_the_Sailor )
Me: "Simbang Gabi, lah!" Ah, parents next time make sure you have the ready answers for all things Filipino.

So what's Simbang Gabi really? The first thing that came in my mind is that it's a Filipino tradition where we attended a novena mass, yes a dawn mass at 4 am (before the rooster sprung up and fire its first...toktogauk!). It was held for 9 days every dawn before Christmas. Do I need to rewrite all the details? Duh. Read it here.. http://www.rcam.org/library/SIMBANG_GABI.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simbang_Gabi

Kinsa diay ni si Fr. Kamil? (Who is this Fr. Kamil). He was the priest who presided the 2nd day of Simbang Gabi 2011 which was held in St Mary of the Angels Church, Bukit Batok. By the way, 2 other masses were also held in some other churches in Singapore.

I found Fr Kamil a very warm, witty and lively priest that ever held a mass for our community. His voice reminds me of Rod Stewart, husky, but his words are inspirational. Not to mention his "funny" tagalog accent. He speaks better Bisaya than Tagalog...makasabot man mi father.Ahaha.

Fr Kamil is an Indonesian priest. He was stationed in one of the province in Mindanao many years back, thus he learned Bisaya more than Tagalog...Many churchgoers like him. He have his own humor style. Not to compare with Fr Angel, but like  him, he has the ability to throw jokes that could tickled the ever joke-loving Pinoys. Kaming mga bisdak are his biggest fans...haha.

THE SIN OF FORGETFULNESS

To sum it up, Fr Kamil reminds us not to fall on the sin of forgetfulness especially on this special season of Christmas. Even how busy we are or even whatever is our status in life now, we must not forget our unfortunate kababayans, old friends, relatives, and people who were once part of our life back in Philippines. We must know how to look back and continue our friendship and warm relationship with them. Christmas is about GIVING, just like when Jesus was born and given to us to be our Savior.

Share your blessings especially to the unfortunates. That's the real meaning of Christmas...

THE CROWD

...all photos were taken using Samsung Galaxy S2

Filipinos Attending the 1st Day of Simbang Gabi 2011

Once again, the Filipino community in Singapore were flocking to churches to attend the 1st day of Simbang Gabi 2011. This was the nth time that we attended this unique Filipino celebration yet we can't shake off to say that we are fortunate and thankful that this tradition which was brought by our Catholic leaders and active movers here in Singapore. We don't have to be in Philippines para makapag attend ng Simbang Gabi.

With my wife and 4 kids in tow, we took the journey to St Francis of Assisi Church to once again be part of this beautiful tradition. The breeze was cool, uh, just like the cool December weather back in Philippines. We lost our way to the church but thanks to Galaxy SII smartphone, we were not really that far from where we got off. It should be 174, not 157. No thanks to Bro. Tolits. haha.

The homily was very touching and something we can really reflect on this Christmas season. With the beautifully rehearsed songs from the church choir, oh, it was magnificent! Kudos to the St Francis Choir...ang galing! After the mass, well, the usual queueing for free food begun. Simply called 'fellowship'. Haha.

It was indeed like feeling nasa Pinas ang mga Pinoys..and well, also the tsika-tsika with brothers and sisters in the Couples for Christ community, and some friends, ex-colleagues, batchmates, etc, etc...whew nasa Pinas ba tayo? ahihi.

Oi matulog na ako..next time na naman..watch for the photos soon...