Xmas Countdown: Sept.9

Xmas Countdown: Sept.9: 106 days to go! The Tagalog word Pasko derives from the Spanish word Pascua. Although the word Pascua means Easter, Pascua de Navidad refers to Christmas.

Xmas Countdown: Sept.8:

Xmas Countdown: Sept.8: 107 days to go! If Mexico has piñatas, the Philippines has its parol. Of course, a parol is not something to hit with a stick. It is a Christmas lantern, most commonly in the shape of a five-pointed star. The bamboo or rattan frame is covered with rice paper, tissue or cellophane. Almost every family either builds or buys one to hang by the window or door. Shopping malls construct giant versions of parol. Traditionally, a candle was placed inside for light to shine through; for safety reasons, people now use bulbs or even a flashlight. Families, schools and other places also display a creche or nativity scene called belen. Christmas trees made of plastic are decorated with lights, tinsel and balls.

Xmas Countdown: September 7

Xmas Countdown: September 7 : 108 days to go! The Viking god Odin is one precursor to the modern Santa Claus. According to myth, Odin rode his flying horse, Sleipnir (a precursor to Santa’s reindeer), who had eight legs. In the winter, Odin gave out both gifts and punishments, and children would fill their boots or stockings with treats for Sleipnir

Xmas countdown: Sept.5

Xmas countdown: Sept.5: 110 days to go! Christmas is the celebration of Jesus' birth, and Christmas is always on Dec. 25, then Jesus was born on Dec. 25, right? Nope. No one knows for sure when Jesus was born. The Bible mentions neither a month nor a date. Yet while Jesus may have been born on Dec. 25, it's highly unlikely, at least according to Biblical interpretations Here's why.
First, the Bible mentions that during Jesus' birth, shepherds were in their fields. But it's cold in Bethlehem in December, and nothing much grows in the fields, so shepherds sheltered their sheep around that time of year and stayed inside. The Bible also says Mary and Joseph were traveling to take part in a census. But back in Jesus' time, censuses were normally held in September or October -- after the fall harvest, yet before the harsh winter made travel difficult
Finally, while Easter was celebrated by the earliest Christians, Jesus' birth wasn't considered a special day until about the fourth century, when the church wanted some kind of celebration to take the focus away from the winter solstice celebrations favored by the pagans. Voilà -- the church proclaimed Jesus' birth date as Dec. 25, and it became a major Christian celebration. Most scholars, incidentally, agree Jesus was likely born near the end of September, based on a host of additional Biblical clues

Xmas countdown: September 4

Xmas countdown: September 4: 111 days to go! Christmas was once a moveable feast celebrated at many different times during the year. The choice of December 25, was made by Pope Julius I, in the 4th century A.D., because this coincided with the pagan rituals of Winter Solstice, or Return of the Sun. The intent was to replace the pagan celebration with the Christian one.

Xmas countdown: September 3

Xmas countdown: September 3, 112 days to go! " Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childhood days, recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home!" - Charles Dickens

Xmas countdown: September 2,

Xmas countdown: September 2, 113 days to go! Simbang Gabi (Filipino: Night Mass; Spanish: Misa de Gallo, "Rooster's Mass") is a novena of dawn Masses from 16 December to Christmas Eve. The Simbang Gabi is practised mainly by Catholic and Aglipayans, with some Evangelical Christian and independent Protestant churches having adopted the practise of having pre-Christmas dawn services. Attending the Masses is meant to show devotion to God and heightened anticipation for Christ's birth, and folk belief holds that God grants the special wish of a devotee that hears all nine Masses.

Christmas Countdown: Sept.1

September 1 - 114 days to go before xmas! The Philippines is known for having the world’s longest Christmas season. The four months that end with the syllable –ber are considered Christmas months, which is why stores and households start playing carols on the first day of September! And the holiday season extends beyond December 31st. It doesn’t end until the Feast of the Epiphany or Three Kings (Tatlong Hari) which falls around January 6.

Frogs and Islam

Is it true that  Frogs are considered to be sacred or pious creatures in Islam?

When i made the search in  the internet, i bumped into the following discussion in Islamweb: : 

"It is confirmed in a Hadeeth that it is prohibited to kill frogs, and the jurists relied on this evidence in prohibiting eating them. Some of them said that the reason is that they are dirty as stated by Al-Munaawi . Moreover, it is confirmed that ‘Abdullaah Ibn ‘Amr said that the reason for this is that its croak is Tasbeeh (saying Subhaanah Allaah, i.e. how perfect Allaah is) and Al-Bayhaqi classified this narration from Ibn ‘Amr as Saheeh [authentic].

Besides, Ash-Shawkaani said that Ibn ‘Amr used to take from the Israelites. It was also reported from Anas that the frog took water in its mouth to put out the fire that was prepared to burn the Prophet Ibraaheem (Abraham) .

As regards the wording of its Tasbeeh, then we are not aware of any authentic evidence of it. However, it was reported from Anas that it says: “Subhaanaka wa bihamdika muntaha ‘ilmika” (How perfect You are O Allaah, and I praise You to the farthest boundary of Your Knowledge.” Whereas, Az-Zamakhshari said that it says “Subhaanah Al-Malik Al-Qudoos” (How perfect The King, The Holy One is.)

What is mentioned about the frogs making Tasbeeh – if this is confirmed – is evidence of its excellence as it is said that its croak is Tasbeeh. However, even if this is not confirmed, they are still included in the general creatures that make Tasbeeh, as Allaah Says (what means): {The seven heavens and the earth and whatever is in them exalt Him. And there is not a thing except that it exalts [Allaah] by His praise, but you do not understand their [way of] exalting.}[Quran 17:44]

Winners, Cinemalaya Awards Night 2014

Celebrating its 10th year, Cinemalaya ended this year's film festival with its awards night Sunday, August 10 at the CCP Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater).
Here is the list of this year's winners: 

Best Poster Design: Justin Besana for Asintado
Audience Choice Award, New Breed Category: Sundalong Kanin
Audience Choice Award, Directors' Showcase: Hustisya
2014 Gawad Balanghai: Kidlat Tahimik, father of Philippine Independent Cinema

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SHORT FEATURE
Best Screenplay - Kevin Ang Tan, Lola
Best Director - Kevin Ang Tan, Lola
Best Film - Asan si Lolo Me
Special Jury Prize - The Ordinary Things We Do
Audience Choice – Lola 

DIRECTORS SHOWCASE
Best Sound - The Janitor
Best Musical Score - Richard Gonzales, Kasal
Best Editing - Tara Illenberger, The Janitor
Best Production Design - Harley Alcasid, Kasal
Best Cinematography - Mycko David, Kasal

Best Screenplay - Aloy Adlawan and Michael Tuviera The Janitor
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role - Nicco Manalo, The Janitor
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role - Cris Villonco, Hari ng Tondo
Best Performance by a Lead Actor - Robert Arevalo, Hari ng Tondo
Best Performance by a Lead Actress - Nora Aunor, Hustisya
Special Jury Prize - Hari ng Tondo
Best Director - Michael Tuviera, The Janitor
Best Film - Kasal
NETPAC Award: Hustisya 
 
NEW BREED CATEGORY
Best Sound - Children's Show
Best Musical Score - Erwin Fajardo, Bwaya
Best Editing - Gerone Centena, Children's Show
Best Production Design - Toym Imao, K'na, the Dreamweaver
Best Cinematography - Neil Daza, Bwaya
Best Screenplay - Giancarlo Abrahan, Dagitab
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role - Miggs Cuaderno, Children's Show
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role - Barbie Forteza, Mariquina
Best Performance by a Lead Actor - Dante Rivero, 1st Ko Si 3rd
Best Performance by a Lead Actress -Eula Valdez, Dagitab
Special citation for Ensemble Acting - #Y
Special Jury Prize - K'na, the Dreamweaver
Best Film - Bwaya
Best Director - Giancarlo Abrahan, Dagitab
Canon Award Best Cinematography – Children’s Show
NETPAC Award: Bwaya