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HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
 Posted - 12/28/2010 : 05:07:46
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The USA this ain't. The holiday season here in the Philippines, rather than being a time that would (as I'd unconsciously expected) arouse memories of the season in the States, has provided me a lesson in just how different this culture is.
Halloween: Fugetaboutit. Kids here don't do Trick-or-Treating. (Well, okay, I heard they do it in an organized way at Camp John Hay, the park-like former US military R&R base. But that's probably just for old time's sake.)
Thanksgiving: Likewise. I have heard that some American expats get together for turkey and all the usual side-dishes. But most Filipinos know nothing about the holiday.
Christmas: Everything in the Philippines is loud and bright, and usually involves dancing. Starting about two weeks before the 25th of December and lasting until a couple of days after, "carolers" (you'll see why I use quotes soon enough) begin marching through the neighborhoods, mostly from dusk to about 8 PM, but sometimes as early as noon or as late as 11 PM. Caroling here consists of kids and/or adults, but mostly kids, going about in groups and stopping from time to time to sing, throw M-80 firecrackers, play musical instruments, beat on pots and pans, or just chant incorrect words of Christmas songs. Oh yeah, and they all want to be paid money. They yowl, sing, bang, or clang in front of your home until you pay them a few pesos so they'll beat it. I liked it, about half the time, for the first week. After that, combat fatigue began to get to me.
Some carolers are actually very good. There was a five-piece marching band and several kids groups that were charming. A young man with a guitar with a singing lady-friend were good. But most are no better than I would be, had I the courage gall to exhibit my tone-deafness. Especially the pot-clangers and explosive-tossers.
I finally figured that one good side of all this caroling was that the noise scared the dozens of neighborhood dogs into silence. Or maybe it made them shut up in envy, realizing they no longer could dominate the aural environment.
New Year: I haven't experienced it yet, but I'm making a wild prediction that it involves a whole lot of M-80s. And silent, shame-faced askals.
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“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
Edited by - HalfMooner on 12/28/2010 06:53:00
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
 Posted - 12/28/2010 : 05:30:28 [Permalink]
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Well, hello stranger! Welcome to SFN! Hey, long time, no hear from. I was a little worried.
Filipino Christmas sounds like every child's dream. Presents are great, but anarchy is greater. Rambunctious Christmas, everybody!
I spent Christmas quietly with most of my kids, grands and great grands. After a couple of hours of the joys of the season, I snuck away home to return to being a quiet, surly curmudgeon.
Anyhow, we've missed you and hope you'll return to being a lot more active. 
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"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist! 
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| Edited by - filthy on 12/28/2010 05:36:18 |
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HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2010 : 05:48:08 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by filthy
Well, hello stranger! Welcome to SFN! Hey, long time, no hear from. I was a little worried.
Filipino Christmas sounds like every child's dream. Presents are great, but anarchy is greater. Rambunctious Christmas, everybody!
I spent Christmas quietly with most of my kids, grands and great grands. After a couple of hours of the joys of the season, I snuck away home to return to being a quiet, surly curmudgeon.
Anyhow, we've missed you and hope you'll return to being a lot more active.
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Thanks, Fil! I've had some more computer problems from time to time, but mostly my excuse for not posting is that I've been distracted by the so-called Real World, and the joy and effort of living in it.
Like you, I can understand the kids' need for anarchy. After all, they don't have the Devil's Night here like in the States.
I'm glad you had such a fine holiday yourself. |
“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
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Ebone4rock
SFN Regular
USA
894 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2010 : 06:18:31 [Permalink]
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Good to see you Halfmooner! I've been wondering where you've been.
I am taking a cue from you and am taking the first steps towards dropping everything and moving to a tropical island (although it is still on U.S. soil). A very good job opportunity dropped in my lap a couple of weeks ago. Resume is being sent tomorrow. |
Haole with heart, thats all I'll ever be. I'm not a part of the North Shore society. Stuck on the shoulder, that's where you'll find me. Digging for scraps with the kooks in line. -Offspring |
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HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2010 : 06:50:50 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by Ebone4rock
Good to see you Halfmooner! I've been wondering where you've been.
I am taking a cue from you and am taking the first steps towards dropping everything and moving to a tropical island (although it is still on U.S. soil). A very good job opportunity dropped in my lap a couple of weeks ago. Resume is being sent tomorrow.
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Good for you, Ebone! Let us all know how that works out, will you? I need all the pointers I can get for tropical living. |
“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
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Kil
Evil Skeptic
USA
13477 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2010 : 11:33:58 [Permalink]
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| Welcome back Mooner!!! I was worried because who knows? |
Uncertainty may make you uncomfortable. Certainty makes you ridiculous.
Why not question something for a change?
Genetic Literacy Project |
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Dr. Mabuse
Septic Fiend
Sweden
9688 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2010 : 14:55:53 [Permalink]
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Hi Mooner!
Good to hear from you! Happy holidays, and good fortune!
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Dr. Mabuse - "When the going gets tough, the tough get Duct-tape..."
Dr. Mabuse whisper.mp3
"Equivocation is not just a job, for a creationist it's a way of life..." Dr. Mabuse
Support American Troops in Iraq:
Send them unarmed civilians for target practice..
Collateralmurder. |
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HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2010 : 17:55:46 [Permalink]
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| Thanks, Kil and Mab! Things are going smoothly for the most part here. Of course, that's what they all say, right until they kick the bucket. Really, I need new glasses and dental work, but the rest is working well. |
“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
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Baguio during the holidays
