MatangHari Blog

Posted on May 3, 2013

As a Nation why we don’t have our National Thanksgiving?

-A Study of Origin and Implementation of National Thanksgiving Day in the Philippines

Almost every day of the year, in the countless barangays, 1500 towns, 115 cities and 79 provinces in its more than 7,100 islands, the Philippines boasts of many colorful and historically interesting fiestas and festivals. Fiestas and festivals are often religious, sometimes purely secular. But they are always socio-cultural events woven deeply into the texture of Filipino life. The Filipinos, after all, are gregarious, fun-loving, sociable, communitarian and hospitable-traits best demonstrated in the many fiestas or festivals throughout the country.

The Filipino Psyche of Thanksgiving

At this point we shift our focus to Sikolohiyang Pilipino (Filipino Psychology), which is an area of study that is anchored on Filipino thought and experience as understood from a Filipino perspective. The most important aspect of this definition is the Filipino orientation. For centuries, Filipino behavior has been analyzed and interpreted in the light of Western theories. Since these are invariably culture-bound, the picture of the Filipino has been inaccurate, if not distorted. Virgilio Enriquez (1975), who first articulated this truly indigenous SP, defined SP as “the study of diwa (psyche) which in Filipino directly refers to the wealth of ideas referred to by the philosophical concept if ‘essence’ and an entire range of psychological concepts from awareness to motives to behavior” (16).

Only the Filipinos,, so far , have the exclusive right to fathom the ancient Filipino way of thanksgiving long before the colonizers first contact in the archipelago, in as much as the Filipinos are the only ones who can penetrate into the secrets and traditions of their own community and homes. (De los Reyes,2009)

The Filipino words that describe “Salamat po “—in the Filipino language are simply unstranslatable into English; they are better listened to with the heart than understood by the mind.(Grospe,1997)

In search of its Origin

One in search of the origins and the persistence of the festival- particularly its place in the Filipino psyche—need go no further than Instramuros, the walled City that was the incarnation of the grandeur of the Spanish colonial period, and its plethora of religious festivals, including the greats and most fervently observed in the country. While the following article in its entirely is a scholarly treatise on the triple-pronged theme of religion, fiesta and Intramuros. We have taken the liberty of excepting certain portions that give us a glimpse into fabled old manila and the religious festivals that so marked and shaped the minds and souls of its residents, in effect, of the whole Philippines.

When the Spanish “conquistadores” arrived in the Philippines, they found that the natives already observed many feasts or celebrations, among then thanksgiving for a good harvest from the land or the sea. During these occassions they would dance, sing eat, and drink. It appeared the favorite meat during those festivities was pork as attested by Pigafetta.

Culturally, the upland Filipinos, have the belief in the active participation of the spirits in lives of men. To celebrate a festival, which they call pandot or worship.

Among the Tagalogs. Plasencia reports of existence of a ritual complex involving the celebration of feasts, The festival called Pandot were normally celebrated in the house of chiefs. Drums and songs were used during the ritual performances.

The entire community will come together to worship in the Chief house, which was erroneously labeled by the chroniclers as a temple. The form of worship was known as “nagaanito”.

Feasting existed in pre-colonial Philippines. They were usually expressions of thanksgiving for a good year or bountiful harvest, or a plea for a child or greater harvest in the next season. Many of these still exist today, albeit with the Christian veneer imposed by the Spaniards, whose mission it was to Christianize the islands. They were transformed into fiestas.

Fiestas, an abbreviation of fiesta patronal, are annual celebrations held in barangays, towns or cities in honor of the feast day of a partron saint. By etymology, fiestas are Spanish, Christian celebrations adopted in Christian lowland Philippines. For their part, Festivals are celebrations centering on non-christian or non-religious persons, events lore, products, etc. Sometimes a festival springs a fiesta. For instance, the patron saint of Muban, Quezon, is St. Bonaventure. The Maubanog Festival, which celebrates Mauban’s lamabanog ( distilled fermented coconut sap), is timed to coincide with the fiesta. Another example is the Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival of Leyte , fusion of the Santo Nino Fiesta and the historico-cultural elaboration of Leyte. Non-Christian Filipinos also have a variety of festivals, whose rites and rituals add variety and color to feasting in the country.

Hispanization of the Philippines

In the Hispanization of the Philippines, John Leddy Phelan asserts that fiestas provided the Spanish colonizers a means of administering especially the marginalized parishioners-those who lived in higher terrain or near their fields, far from the cabecera or poblacion (town center). Three fiestas of consequence periodically enticed these souls to visit fiesta patronal. The fiestas provided an opportunity to indoctrinate the natives as they took a break from toil.

Another cause of feasting was the obligatory periodic visit of the provincial superior to the parishes. The prelate and his retinue were usually received in the manner of Christ’entry into Jerusalem Palm Sunday, as the custom was in Europe as far back as the Middle Ages. While Filipinos were not always aware of the ceremony’s elaborate liturgical symbolism, they relished the pageantry of event.

The most interesting fact about the festivals in the Philippines is the people relentless effort to make it happen despite whatever circumstances the country is in. Rain or shine, the festival must and has to go on. It’s a good thing that the Philippines had preserved wonderful festivals over the years.

Filipinos are resilient people and have the ability to bounce back, like it’s mythological bamboo, which sways with the harsh winds of typhoon, only to rise unscathed when the storm is over.

A letter of Thanksgiving from our Martyr

And even unto death a sense of giving thanks to his creator was found in the letter of Rizal was presented to the Republic of Philippines, and by Spain through has ministers of foreign affairs, Martin Artajo, February 26,1953. It has no date, but it must have been written at Fort Santiago, Shortly before he was led to his execution on Bagumbayan, Manila.

Rizal, 1896

Dear Parents and Brothers:

Give thanks to God that I may preserve my tranquility before my death. I die resigned, hoping that with my death you will be let in peace and its better to die than to live suffering. Console yourselves.

Bury me in the ground, place a stone and a cross over it. My name the date of my birth and of my death,nothing more.

If later you wish to surround my grave with a fence you can do it. No Anniversaries, I prefer Paang Bundok.

This document was published in one volume, Documentos Rizalinas, Manila, 1953 by: Philippine Government.

Likewise, Senator Benigno NiNoy Aquino after 7 months and 7 days of hunger strike, he still said “I thank God for making me a Filipino”, thankfulness to our Creator was already in our blood streams even in our deepest depression we are not only thankful because of the abundance of harvest or good fortunes.

American Period

At the turn of the century when the Americans occupied the islands, the church was the hub of community life. Historian James A. Leroy observed that the schools established by the Americans drew community life away form the church and toward the schools, Even now, however, the church dominates a major portion of community affairs. The fiesta is still orchestrated by the religious. Meanwhile festivals, latecomers in comparison are organized by civic and governmental leaders.

First American and British Thanksgiving in Manila

Part of our history about the Thanksgiving that took place in November 24,1898—Thanksgiving Day has been generally observed by the Americans here, and the British also celebrated the day as a holiday. The feature of the day’s was a dinner tendered by Mr. O. F. Williams the United States Consul here, to officers of the American army and navy. Covers were laid for thirty –four persons.

A question from the Senator

1960’ Senator Raul Manglapus blamed fiestas for the perennial poverty of the people. The poor are pressured to borrow money they cannot afford to pay to entertain their guests for fiestas. Excesses in celebrating festivals, indeed, are counterproductive. But his proposal to ban fiestas was all for naught, and for several good reasons.

Fiestas and Festivals are mode of communication with the Divine, Proof of this is the panata of devotes. This may be to sponsor expenses for the perpetuation of an event, to maintain a holy image, or to perform acts of faith such as dancing in the street or self-flagellation. The festivities are, therefore, a prayer, an act of faith.

Fiestas and festivals, however, also reaffirm a people’s unique culture and history. Participating in festivities, especially a month for youth , instills an identity, a pride of place.

Finally, contrary to the argument of the senator, festivities today are engines of economic development. They are used for information dissemination, market transaction and tourism promotion, Proof of this is the quantity of new festivals continually being created, boosting interest in what are little-known places and cultures and contributing to the income of its various stakeholders. The Filipino’s love for celebrating has thus been harnessed for economic growth.

Festivals Among Filipinos Overseas

With today’s leaps in transportation and communication. A global community is forming. But wherever Filipinos go, they take with them the fiesta psyche. In the United States, Filipino-American communities in major cities celebrate the feast day of their town’s patrons of their personal ones. They also celebrate holidays such as Christmas, with Philippine Fiesta symbols. In the East Coast, the “Philippine fiesta symbols. In the East Coast, the “Philippine Fiesta in America” is held. IT is a two-day exposition celebrating the merriment and vibrancy of the Filipinos and their arts, culture and cuisine. It features a trade fair and socials where on can rediscover being Filipino. A similar event has held in London annually since 1984. The same holds for Paris.

Unavoidable Comparison of Filipino and Western way of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving-Kano or Pinoy Style

By: Rodolfo A. Arizala

A need for Moral Recovery and other Essays (1994)

In mid-November of 1620, the ship “May flower” loaded with refugees from the Old World landed on the shoeres of what we call now Masschisets Bay. Governor William Bradford, a witness to said landing, wrote in this diary:

“They fell upon their knees and blessed the God of heaven, who had brought them over the vast and furious ocean, and delivered them from all the periles(sic) and miseries thereof…

The early Pilgrims upon landing on the shores of North America fell upon their knees, praised the Lord in thanksgiving for a safe journey and arrival at a new but bountiful land. This thanksgiving was later on institutionalized as a day of US national observance every fourth Thursday of November. By tradition, almost every American home on that day adorn their tables with roast turkeys and other goodies to feast upon them.

We have no records on what the early settlers in the Philippines prior to the coming of the Spaniards did upon landing on our shores in praise of, or thanksgiving to the Almighty. However, it is a matter of record that a century before the landing of the Pligrim in North America, Ferdinand Magellan’s chronicler-Antonio Pigafetta aboard Megellan’s flagship Trinidad- recorded in March 1521 in his diary:

“When I reached the shore the king (native Filipino chieftain) raised his hands toward the sky and then toward us ….The king had a plate of pork brought in and a large jar filled with wine…”

Pigafetta also described the ceremonies native Filipinos observed in butchering the swine and how “ the hair is removed from the hog by means of fire…”

Thus, when the Spanish “conquistadores” arrived in the Philippines, they found that the natives already observed many feasts or celebrations, among then thanksgiving for a good harvest from the land or the sea. During these occassions they would dance, sing eat, and drink. It appeared the favorite meat during those festivities was pork as attested by Pigafetta.

Subsequently, when Catholicism was introduced in the Philippines Filipinos started observing the feast of San Isidro Labrador, the Patron Saint of agriculture or good harvest. We held masses, processions and festivities such as the one observed yearly in Lucban, Quezon where we have the “Pahiyas” agricultural products and multi-colored dried rice cakes (“kiping”) were displayed from windows of houses. This form of thanksgiving had become a tourist attraction during the month of May in Lucban. Every town and village in the Philippines generally observe the feast of San Isidro.

And so, while our North America Friends have thanksgiving every fourth Thursday of November, we have the feast of San Isidro every 15th of May.

During thanksgiving our North American friends slaughter and roast turkeys to feast on the adorn their tables; while we Filipinos during the feast of San Isidro serve and adorn our tables with “lechon-baboy”(roast pork) together with rice cakes and tropical fruits.

You have your pick-the “kano” or “pinoy” styles? Both occasions are not to satisfy one’s gluttony, but in praise and thanksgiving to the “Great Provider”.

Theoretical Framework

Theory of Multiculturalism

The only way for us to recover from our cultural amnesia, which have for so long weakened our resolve to progress, is to do away with these negative stereotypes and restore one of our core values to their rightful place in our consciousness. This core value which have remained intact in spite of the historical changes and numerous celebrations that have taken place, can then be harnessed to strengthen our sense of thankfulness and debt of gratitude to our Creator, Nation and our people.

In social science, Kallen’s cultural pluralism was based on a philosophical examination of the past and on three prepositions:

1. No one choose his or her ancestry

2. Each minority culture has something positive to contribute to the society

3. The idea of democracy and equality carries an implicit assumption that there are differences between individuals and groups that can be viewed as equal.

Today’s advocates of cultural pluralism often call for the maintenance of enough sub-societal separation to guarantee the continuance of the ethnic cultural tradition and existence of the group, without at the same time interfering with the carrying out standard responsibilities to the general civic life.

It is clear that according to Kallen’s Cultural Pluralism each monitory culture has something positive to contribute to the society; with the same social-structure that we have here in the Philippines, sometimes they are blaming our regionalistic culture the division among the Filipino people and the barrier of our geographic location. In spite of these realities according to the Cultural Pluralism Theory in spite of our differences and our geographical barriers. Each minority and the majority have something positive to contribute for the development of the society.

The researcher strongly believe that the National Thanksgiving of the Philippines is one of the most positive thing that we as people can contribute to our country and also it will be one of the entry point of the unity of our nation.

Conclusion and Recommendation

Based on our ancient culture and traditions before the arrival of the colonizers we, Filipinos are celebrating and feasting the act of thanksgiving what ever situation we may in, a simple family with small amount of rice and tuyo (dried fish) on their table will close their eyes, pray and give thanks to God for the grace that have been given to them, a help from a stranger along the highway will be insulted if you will pay their goodness with money, just merely uttering salamat po will suffice their act of kindness. And our national hero Jose Rizal console his family by giving thanks to God event he is in the midst of desolation and injustices. Although people may think that this tradition was exploited by the colonizers for us to be contented and thankful for what we have –not to question their authority.

The reality of these festivals was spotted by former Senator Raul Manglapus because of the poor are pressured to borrow money they cannot afford to pay to entertain their guests for fiestas.

However, the intent of national thanksgiving is not to put any additional burden to Juan dela Cruz, it is not about the preparation of lavish food nor a turkey but the simplicity of Filipino Family creating and defining the culture of Filipino Thanksgiving—happiness and contentment, appreciation of our culture heritage and the beauty of our natural resources, as dignified people from the highest authority of the land down to the single person in the society, the talents, skills and competence of Filipinino people in global perspective.

Most of all giving thanks to the Almighty for all the things that He have done to us as a nation, giving thanks to our mother and its people regardless of religion,race, ethnicity, gender and social class, thus breaking the barriers between different principles, belief system and ideologies.

“Wherever you are in the world, or in our archipelago, you are part of the whole, you are part of the Filipino family.

Every Filipino is part of the Answer, of the Solution.

Each one of us is part of the Hope we seek for our Motherland.”

Filipinos can simply say” Salamat po” and just simple way of saying “thank you” with also respect to each and every Filipino citizen. The Debt of gratitude, (Utang na loob) to Creator, nation and its people can be made the moral basis of National thanksgiving.

Loving the Filipino and our Philippines is not only nationalism and patriotism. There is a higher reason than that. It is loving what God has given to us.