Mano po, Ninong

Mano po, Ninang
Narito kami ngayon
Humahalik sa inyong kamay
Salamat, Ninong

Salamat, Ninang
Sa aginaldo pong inyong ibinibigay

This timeless Christmas song by lyricist Ador Torres and composer Manuel Sr. Villar illustrates how popular godparents are during the holiday season, particularly in the aspect of gift-giving. During this time, jokes about being hunted down by a deluge of aginaldo-seeking godchildren are common, as if giving cash or gifts is the sole duty of the ninong or ninang. But is this really all there is to being a godparent? 

Godparents, a brief history

According to Suzanna Roldan, who teaches Sociology and Anthropology at the Ateneo de Manila University, the ninong and ninang are part of the “compadrazgo relationships”, which came with Christian rituals such as baptism, confirmation, and marriage introduced by Spanish colonization. Our forefathers readily accepted the compadre/comare concept because even before the Spanish came, they had already been marking life events with rituals and social sanctions. “Anthropologists studying kinship systems observe that we consider who our relatives are based on biological, social and cultural ties. In categorizing who our relatives are, we trace blood lines, adoptive kin and kin through marriage or in-law relationships,” says Roldan. “There is one category of relatives that extends the notion of family. These are called fictive kin, or kinship established through rituals found in many, if not all, societies. In our case, the compadrazgo system is our way or reinforcing existing close kin or close social connections with people not necessarily our relatives.”

While godparents serve as witnesses to their godchildren becoming part of a religious community or a sanctioned marriage, the ninong or ninang also take on the role of spiritual guides. “If parents perished, godparents are expected to help in the spiritual formation of the child. We want godparents who can raise children as good Christians, or in the case of godparents to a couple, they can give spiritual advice on how to nurture good marital or parental relations. But this goes beyond spiritual formation and extends to the actual care of a child when the parents are unable to fulfill parental duties due to death, work, or moments when parents have to be apart from their children,” explains Roldan.

Photo by Denise Lazaro

Selection of godparents

Until now, parents usually choose reliable godparents who are good role models, and have child-rearing values aligned with their own. Social proximity or close ties with godparents also plays a role. Roldan elaborates, “Parents select someone who is very close to the family or has regular interaction with them at the moment of selecting who the godparent would be. Our ninong and ninang are often siblings of our parents, playmate cousins, or our barkada from childhood whom we know we can entrust our children to in case something happens to us.”

Sometimes, economic reasons also play a part in the selection. “Some parents select well-known, high-status ninong and ninang whom one can turn to in times of need—even if they do not have a strong personal relationship with those individuals.” These include political figures, wealthy members of society, or someone who has achieved high occupational positions that indicate status.

Being a Godparent in Modern Times

Nowadays, it’s common to see godparents arrive in multiple pairs, crowding around the wed couple or the baptized child because of their sheer number. It’s a stark difference from decades ago, when a pair of godparents was enough to stand witness to religious rituals. As to why this has happened, Roldan offers this explanation: “Perhaps, it may be related to having less children these days compared to before. In the past, parents had more children, so they made sure to assign worthy godparents for all their children.” 

Sometimes, the reason lies in having a big social circle. “For those with large friend groups and with one or two children, parents have to name more godparents per child so as not to exclude and hurt the feelings of their friends. Still, there are some who intentionally pick several godparents to compensate for the costs of the celebration, or expand the circle of elders they can approach for advice.”

Despite this practice, Grace, who has 10 godchildren, strives to fulfill her role. “I don’t get to talk to all of them except for my nephew who’s also my inaanak, but I do talk to their parents regularly. I know that most children see — and even expect — their godparents to give them gifts during Christmas and their birthdays. I think that’s okay especially when they’re young. That was how I saw my godparents too when I was a kid.”

Jason, who has about the same number of inaanak, shares that he only gets to interact with godchildren whose parents he’s still in contact with. “If I get to hang out with their parents, I also get to see my godchildren. I make small talk, maybe give cash. But now with social media, I can ask how they are from time to time. As a ninong, I look out for their welfare.”

Grace sees herself as a co-parent, ensuring that her godchildren grow up properly. She expects this same dedication from the godparents she’d chosen for her child. “There’s a saying, ‘It takes a village to raise a child’. It’s not easy to be a parent. As much as we want to provide for our kids’ mental, physical and emotional needs all the time, we can’t do it alone. And that’s where the ninongs and ninangs we have chosen, come in. After all, most of them are our childhood friends, high school and college buddies or our closest colleagues. They were there during our first crush, first heartbreak, and other milestones. So it only follows that as we go through this parenting journey, we go through it with them.”

Jason, 2nd from left, poses with his goddaughter Maya during her baptism.

The pandemic may discourage or even prohibit face-to-face interaction among godparents and godchildren, but phone calls, text message and online social platforms still make close communication possible all throughout the year. “Social support, particularly gift-giving during the holidays will continue. People shop online, send presents through various delivery modes. Ninangs and ninongs may send cash through online banking— at least for some sectors of society who are not affected by unemployment woes during the pandemic. We can expect more practical exchanges through social networks, or donations made instead of presents given during the pandemic,” Roldan ends.

To learn how you can enjoy a happy yet safe Christmas celebration during the pandemic, watch Be Safe: Pagiging Ligtas ngayong Holiday Season.

Christmas in the Philippines is arguably one of the best and most festive celebrations in the world.

Since the start of ber months, Christmas songs have begun playing in establishments and on the radio. At around this time, the Christmas countdown begins, and decorations are brought out. Starting from September until December, Christmas in the Philippines is the longest Christmas celebration in the world.

When you see these, it’s definitely Paskong Pinoy!

Simbang Gabi (Misa de Gallo)
Starting on the 16th of December, Filipinos flock to the church at 4 AM for the religious masses held for 9 days straight. It is believed that if one has completed the 9 days, his or her wish will come true.

Puto Bumbong (rice cake)
After the Misa de Gallo, the aroma of puto bumbong fills the air. This Filipino delicacy is most popular during the Christmas season, and buying these has been a traditional side trip among churchgoers every morning.

Puto Bumbong is a purple colored delicacy made of steamed sticky rice partnered with coconut meat.

Bibingka (rice cake)
Another Filipino favorite when December rolls around is bibingka or rice cake baked in charcoal. This dish is made from galapong (ground rice), sugar, egg, and coconut milk. The mixture is placed on a banana leaf and baked in a clay oven with charcoal. To evenly cook the bottom and the top of the bibingka, a pan with charcoal is placed on top of it.

Christmas Carols
Ang Pasko ay sumapit . . . We wish you a Merry Christmas. . . these are only some of the favorites that are usually sung by carolers. Caroling is an important part of Filipino tradition, composed by kids and elders. You can hear these Christmas crooners hopping from one house to another every night starting on the 16th of December.

Musical instruments used by carolers are usually handmade. Tambourines made from bottle caps and milk cans are used as drums.

The Belen
The star of the Filipino Christmas is the Belen, made of miniature statues of the Nativity— the center of which is the Baby Jesus. Christmas in the Philippines is the celebration of His birth.

Parol
These are lanterns that serve as a symbol of the Christmas star that guided the three wise men in finding Baby Jesus. Pampanga is best known for making parol, traditionally made of bamboo sticks shaped into a star, and covered in Japanese paper. Some are made of capiz and decorated with lights.

Noche Buena
This is a Filipino tradition, which comes from Spain and Mexico. It is a feast or traditional dinner served during Christmas Eve. In the Philippine setting, members of the family gather around the table and feast together. Some of the favorites are fruit salad, lechon, quezo de bola and a variety of rice cakes.

So this December, take a moment from the frenzied preparations to reflect why Christmas in the Philippines is special. Immerse yourself in its true spirit of giving and keeping in mind who the real celebrant is.

sources:
https://www.shopback.ph/blog/post/5-reasons-why-paskong-pinoy-is-the-best
http://erovanmonti.blogspot.com/2012/11/i-am-writing-this-on-last-day-of.html