HOW TO SAY "Merry Christmas" IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Asia's 2 Christian-dominated nations is in our region (the Philippines and Timor Leste) are celebrating the Christmas today! Whether we admit it or not, the Christian holiday that falls on the 25th of December has evolved into something more "universal".

Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei cites it. We in Thailand never fails to surprise visitors that we, indeed, celebrate Christmas in our own way. So as the largely Buddhist Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

So, here it is...today is Christmas. The holiday that shed its 'religious' tone and considered as a day of peace and gift-giving around the world.


We say สุขสันต์วันคริสตร์มาส in Thailand. It's "Souksarn wan Christmas". It's "Krit-sa-mat" or loosely pronounced like that, ok? This is the most awaited event of the kids in International schools around the country! They also say "Souksan wan Christmas" in Laos.

The Filipinos say "Maligayang Pasko" for the Tagalogs. "Naragsak a Pascua" for the Ilocanos in the north. "Masayang Pasku keko ngan" in my second home Pampanga. "Masinadyahon nga Paskua" in Central Philippines. "Maugmang Capascuhan" in Bicol and many many other languages in this country.

The Timorese would say "Feliz natal" in Portuguese. How do you say it in Tetun?

And for our Chinese bros in Singapore and across the region: 圣诞快乐 "Sheng Dankuai Le" in Mandarin and "Sing Daan Faai Lok" in Cantonese.

It's "Christmas nay hma mue pyaw pa" in Burma. "Mừng Chúa Giáng Sinh" in Vietnam and "Soursdey Noel" in Cambodia.

"Selamat Hari Natal" is how they say it in Malaysia (Malay) and Brunei, and also acceptable in Indonesia but better "Selamat Natal" to be more accurate. "Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal" from our Tamil brothers.

สุขสันต์วันคริสตร์มาส et Joyeux Noel everybody!

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HARI RAYA KIDS OF SOUTHEAST ASIA

Our compilation of Muslim kids on Hari Raya. Guaranteed to make you smile. =)

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***Thanks to all the photo owners in the spirit of sharing.

WHAT GOES ON DURING HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI?

The Hari Raya is one of my most awaited events in Southeast Asia. I would go to my Muslim friends’ house and eat and eat as much as I can – uhm, did I just sound like a free-riding cheapskate there? LOL. Nah, kidding aside…the Hari Raya is a special day when Muslims celebrate the end of the fasting month of Ramadan with their families.

Greeting me, greeting you. Hari Raya literally means... “Day of Celebration”. Aidilfitri is the Malay term of the Muslim festival of Eid-ul-Fitr. Muslims in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei use the greeting “Selamat Hari Raya” while Muslims in Indonesia use “Salam Aidilfitri”. This is also a time for reconciliations and the words...“Maaf zahir dan batin” are added which means “I seek forgiveness with all my being”. “Happy Eid” is acceptable to English speaking greeters.

New stuffs for the kids! Just like Christmas or Songkran, Hari Raya is also most awaited by children. This is the day they get new clothes, new shoes, new PlayStation *that’s for me!* and all sorts of presents. The adults are extra generous by giving small amounts of money they call “Duit raya”. *Ch-k-ching!*

Everybody is in a festive mood! People would be extra happy, extra friendly and seem like they are switched on to shopping mode as well! Big cities and towns would have sale, big promotions, discounts and the malls are playing Hari Raya songs non-stop! TV show extravaganzas and concerts rule the airwaves for the succeeding days.

1 light bulb, 2 light bulbs, 3 light bulbs…City streets transform into a Disney-like feel with all the thousands of light bulbs on just about anywhere they can stick in onto -- like stars descended from the heavens. More traditional families in towns use lamps to decorate their houses at night time.




Traditional costumes galore! It is customary for Malays to wear traditional Malay costumes on Hari Raya. Men would wear “baju” and women would wear “kurung” or “kebaya” – they will take pictures of themselves and post it on MySpace for the entire world to see! I really love it when they flaunt and proud of wearing their traditional costumes! Simply admirable.

Honk! Honk! Most people would hold traditions the best they can. There is “Balik Kampung” which means going back to one’s home town and celebrate Hari Raya with their relatives and childhood friends. You wouldn’t believe the nationwide traffic caused by this mass exodus! Traffic enforcers are on a 24-hour alert!



Come in! Come in! On the eve of the celebrations; mothers, grandmas and aunts are busy preparing food, cakes, sweets and the best dishes – Ketupat and Rendang are on top of the menu. Supermarkets would sell instant-versions of it for the city people. And the most beautiful of it all is the “open house” – where you can just show up to other people’s house and eat to your hearts’ desire.

Behind all this modern celebration of the Hari Raya is an earnest tradition of keeping close to their religion. Muslims would start the day with a prayer at the mosque, visit people who are close to their hearts and be compassionate with all sincerity.

The Hari Raya is truly a Southeast Asian tradition to behold.


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* Note: The Eid-ul-Fitr is also a national holiday in the Philippines.
THIS IS A REPOST.

HAPPY VIETNAMESE NEW YEAR! | Chúc mừng năm mới

Today is the Giao Thừa (New Year’s Eve) of the most important festival of the Vietnamese people – the Tết Nguyên Đán or the Vietnamese New Year. It is also simply called Tết.

I guess not too many of us knew or even familiar with it -- Well, now you know. And mostly because it comes with the Chinese New Year (because they both use the Lunar Calendar), so we don't usually notice the Tết. But it is distinctly Vietnamese -- A nation with its own rich culture.

The actual date is different each year – there can be 12 months in the Vietnamese calendar and 13, the next. Celebration starts on the last day of the year – which is today -- would continue for the next 3 days, sometimes 10! Whoa!

Tết is a family celebration, first and foremost. This is the time for reunions and get together. They pay respect to their ancestors and homage to the kitchen god. Every family member, where ever they are in the world, would find ways to come back home to their family.

Everybody’s in a rush to buy new clothes, get a haircut, visit friends, clean the house for tonight’s celebration. "Mam Ngu Qua" on the center table, traditional foods like bunh chưng, măng, mut, and xai gấc must be present -- all symbols of gratitude and prosperity. The peach (in the North) and the apricot blossoms (in the South) are symbols of the Vietnamese Tet.

Most businesses are closed on the coming days. It’s because every one’s busy partying -- Parties on the street, parties at home, parties everywhere! Everybody’s smiling extra generous!

BISEAN celebrates the Tết Nguyên Đán with our Vietnamese brothers all over the world.


And we wish Vietnam An khang thịnh vượng and its people Vạn sự như ý.
Prosperity for 10,000 years!

Chúc mừng năm mới!

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*Special greetings to our friend Morgan, Nam, Preya and their family =)

A TEST OF FAITH: The Thaipusam Festival | தைப்பூசம்

Today is an extraordinary day for our Hindu brothers in Malaysia and Singapore. The celebration of Thaipusam Kavady – the feast for the Lord Subramaniam (Murugan), the youngest son of Shiva and Parvati. This is the day when the star Pusam appears.

Hindus in Singapore show their devotion by walking 3 kilometers from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple to Chettiar Temple, carrying offerings to Lord Subramaniam. Hindus in Malaysia gather in Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur, Gunong Cheroh in Ipoh and Jalan Waterfall in Penang. This is one of the biggest annual-tourist-c’mon of Malaysia.

A day of thanks giving, asking favors, and simply wishing good things. The air is festive and everybody is in a good mood.

You think that’s it? Well, listen to this…some devotees would raise the stakes to get the Lord Subramaniam’s favor. They would pierce pins, fish hooks, knives, swords and just about any skewers in sight into their cheeks, back, arms, legs and even testicles! *Ouch! Stop poking me, goddammit!*

But here’s the kicker. With all those piercing and poking, there is no bleeding at all! Not even scars afterwards! It is said that Lord Subramaniam stops the bleeding and heals the wounds as if nothing happened at all.

The Thaipusam Festival was brought to our region by Tamil/Hindu immigrants in the British Colonial era. It is celebrated on the full moon of the Hindu month of Thai, which falls around January and February. There is also a similar festival in Thailand called the "Vegetarian Festival" in Phuket. But that happens around November.

This is one festival in our region that takes nerves and lots of faith *and guts!* Let me show you what I'm talking about...

Here... but not for the faint-hearted...

A W E S O M E !

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THE PROCESSION OF THE BLACK NAZARENE

Today is the largest and the most celebrated religious event of our neighbors in the Philippines – the Procession of the Black Nazarene.

Barefoot devotees from all over the country come by the thousands to participate in the procession. All wanted to get a glimpse of the 500-year-old, life-size, dark-skinned statue of Jesus Christ; down on one knee, carrying a cross; it is taken off its shrine and paraded in the streets of Manila.

The Chaos. Some describe it as a pandemonium! Imagine thousands of people pushing and shoving, almost in a state of trance... the moment they see the statue taken out of the church doors! Chanting “Viva el Señor!” with only one thing in mind – to get close to the Black Nazarene.

Devotees toss white cloths to the “guards” (on the carriage) asking them to rub it on the statue. Why? – It is believed that the Black Nazarene is miraculous. People claimed to be healed throughout its 200-year history and devout Filipino Catholics are hoping for the same miracle.

The statue was brought to the Philippines by Spanish priests from Mexico in 1606. It is believed that it was carved by an Aztec craftsman. The statue was housed in different churches until 1787; the statue is enshrined to where it is today – the Quiapo Church.

Why is it black? I asked a Filipino friend if the Black Nazarene supports the “theory” that Jesus Christ was actually dark-skinned (North African) like what the Ethiopians were claiming. Well, I was told that it is not the case. According to one legend, while the statue was on its way to Manila, the galleon caught fire and charred the image. But despite its condition, Filipinos still kept the burnt statue for veneration. Interesting, isn’t it?

The Procession of the Black Nazarene is a window to our neighbor’s culture and heritage. A glimpse of their belief, their devotion and their hope.

” Viva el Señor!"


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BISEAN's 400th blogpost!


*Photo credit: Manila Times, LakbayPilipinas.net and Michael Cohen

DO I LOOK LIKE 607 YEARS OLD TO YOU?

I was born in the year 2523. I'm not kidding, goddammit! What do you want from me?!

But it’s not BC and it’s not in the future either. Did you know that it’s the year 2550 in Thailand right now? This also goes with Laos, Cambodia and Burma. Cool, isn’t it?

In Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei; I was born in the year 1401. *Whoa!* But it doesn’t make me 607 years old. Ha! It’s the year 1428 right now in the Islamic calendar.

With all of these interesting but confusing dates and years…we have all adapted the international standard of using the Gregorian calendar of 2007 which by the way, as we all know, follow the Christian Era. Mainly done for economic reasons. By the way, Bhuddist New Year changes in April until 1939. But now, we kinda adapted 1 January altogether.

So, ladies and germs…a few days from now (1 January), it’s going to be the year 2551 in some parts of our region. But we have to wait till 10 January to be 1429 in other parts.

สวัสดีปีใหม่ 2551

Happy New Year 2008

1429 ترجمة الى العربية

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DEEPAVALI: The Great Festival of Lights

Today is a big celebration for our Hindu brothers in Malaysia and Singapore. They are celebrating the Deepavali (Diwali) with a billion Hindus in India and around the world. The Deepavali is more famously known as the Festival of Lights -- which marks the victory of good over evil, the triumph of light over darkness.

Deepavali is a time of renewal. This is also the time when past quarrels are forgotten and people forgive each other. Don’t we just love occasions like this? People are in a festive mood and smiling more. Extra kind and extra generous! Just like Songkran, Hari Raya or Christmas.

Days or even weeks before the actual day of Deepavali, anticipation runs high. Homes are immaculately cleaned; holiday decors here and there and women painstakingly make a sand mandala. Little India’s in our region are decorated with thousands of colorful light bulbs to mesmerize us all. A more traditional approach is lighting little oil lamps made of clay.

These are all done to invite and welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity – who is believed to visit temples and homes on the actual Deepavali day. It is also said that Lakshmi will not enter an unlit house.

The night before is hectic with last-minute preparations for the big day. On Deepavali morning, Hindu devotees are already up before sunrise for the oil bath ritual – they do this to signify purity and cleaning their bodies and minds. After that, they go straight to the temple and pray more.

As traditions of Hindus in Malaysia and Singapore, the rest of the day is for receiving guests and visitors. Oh, this is my favorite part! Visiting my Indian friends and sampling all those delectable Indian dishes and sweets! But this is vegetarian food smorgasbord. Hindus are typically vegetarians – so, good for me! Young people usually end the day with street parties or going to a nightspot with their friends. A chance to celebrate it with their Chinese and Malay friends.

Today, on the auspicious Deepavali -- I renew my friendship and high regards to all our Hindu brothers and sisters. Now I’m off to my friends’ house and celebrate with them.



Andariki Deepavali Shubhakankshalu!

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WHASSUP: And the Mayhem Began

I have created this photo video just for you.

Click To Play

สวัสดีปีใหม่

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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WHASSUP SPECIAL: The Great Songkran Festival

It's time for the countdown of the THAI NEW YEAR (สงกรานต์) ! And everyone's fucken excited including me, me, me!!! This is the day (actually days) that all of us Thais are waiting for and our most awesome memories happen on Songkran. This is fun, fun, fun, guaranteed!

If any of you haven't experienced it yet or even "know" what Songkran is all about...here, watch this video because I'm lazy typing already....it's in English, don't worry:

And as any self-respecting Thai, I have made my preparations...

My water gun....

My Thai batik shirt specially for the Songkran....
Cooling powder to smudge on everybody's face....

My tho...!!! Huh? How did this get here?...

My Billabong board shorts to impress the babes and dudes...

And a couple of Stellas, of course!

THERE! I'm ready! Foreigners won't call it the World's Biggest Water Fight for nothing! Take that!

SO LET THE FIGHTS BEGIN!!!!! LOL.

Come to Thailand! You still have 3 days to book your flight! It all starts on the 13th through the 15th of April. Come, come, come!

สวัสดีปีใหม่

(Sawasdee Pi Mai - Happy New Year!)

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WHASSUP: Semana Santa of the Philippines

Having shared the distinction of the only 2 predominantly Christian nations in Asia, the Philippines (together with Timor Leste) are on full swing to commemorate the Passion of Jesus Christ. The "Semana Santa" or Holy Week in English was mainly brought by the Spanish Conquistadores to the Philippines and the Portuguese colonizers of Timor Leste.

Let's feature the observance in the Philippines. This solemn observance or "festival" is truly a sight to behold. It's visually evocative and the air is full of emotions as the whole country commemorates the death of Christ by re-enacting the events. Each province or region has their own "interpretation" and style of commemoration. And it's truly a glimpse of faith that defiend this great nation.

Tourists come to see Filipinos crucify themselves as a re-enactment of the passion of Christ more than 2,000 years ago. There are countless "Cenaculos" and "Pabasas" in traditionally written verse form and dramatized version. This is truly a Filipino tradition and definitely one of Southeast Asia's attraction.

Flagellants. They scourge themselves in a somewhat paganistic manner considered medieval by many. This is done by stripping themselves naked from the waist up, walking barefooted under a midday sun and flagging themselves bloody with ropes and broken pieces of glass attached with strings to bamboo sticks. They do this as a means of atonement of their sins. It is a sort of retribution of their offenses and human weaknesses for past favor such as after going through some crisis or danger in their lives. This is commonly practiced in the provinces of Pampanga, Tarlac, Rizal and practically all over the Tagalog region.


The Pabasa. It's a family affair with the cooperation of relatives and neighbors. Others do these twenty four hours daily within the seven days of singing and reading of the Passion and Death taken from the verses of the Bible. Foods and drinks are being served to the singers.

The Black Nazarene. A century-old black statue in Quiapo, sculptured in Mexico during the Galleon Trade era, considered miraculous by devotees is brought out for procession every Good Friday. The statue is borne on the shoulders of male devotees in a slow, difficult procession around the narrow streets of the district, a score of men struggle to keep the image moving on. Thousands more try to muscle their way to touch the Nazarene as if carried by a powerful tide in an ocean of humanity.


The Moriones. Marinduque Island is famous and known throughout the world. No one could recall its beginning but old folks claimed it started since time immemorial. Usually it is held in the plazas of Boac and Gasan. The towns present a spectacular pageant wherein people are dressed like Roman soldiers to commemorate the beheading of Longinos. The festivities have a Mardigras atmosphere.

Visita Iglesias. In Manila it is a practice of Catholic believers to visit, if possible, 14 churches within Metro Manila representing the fourteen stations of the cross.

This unique style of observance of the Christian Holy Week of the Filipinos makes them distinct from other Catholic countries around the world. Truly an evocative experience. Come to the Philippines and experience it yourself. And by the way, it starts tomorrow! The 6th of April through the 8th and beyond. This is the biggest happening in the Philippines next to the Christmas season (which runs from 16 December through 3 January of the succeeding year).

Amazing tradition, amazing passion, amazing people.


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