Dying Art of Funeral Joss Paper Crafts

We visited a distant relative of a family friend who died an old age, lie in state on 3rd floor at Sanctuarium located along Gregorio Araneta corner Quezon Avenue in Quezon City.

Mansion made from paper with Christmas lights and funeral wreath

The person was his great grand father was 95 years-old and the family wasted no time to give him a grand send off in the after life. Instead of the usual black and white cloth which covered the room, most of the cloth were colored red and white.

Sanctuarium

According to the expert, the person lived his life to the fullest. He was able to produce 6 generation of descendants. In a country which had an average life expectancy of just 71 years-old ( 2017 data) living beyond 71 is already a big blessing.

servants are found in the entrance of the paper mansion with small photo of the decease person and special sleeping chamber

Dying Art of Joss Funeral Paper Building

In my previous article about recuerdo de patay few years ago. The funeral wake of my maternal grandmother had some funeral paper building, mercedes benz, rickshaw, sedan chairs, mahjong table, paper lanterns and airplane was held few decades ago at Funenaria Paz in Quezon City.

Mercedes benz made from paper

Burning the traditional paper ‘money’ along with miniature items like houses, cars,  appliances, all the modern amenities are also burned to make sure the deceased continues to enjoy the same things in the afterlife. However, fewer Filipino-Chinese are practicing Taoist and Buddhist. Hence, the art of making these paper joss funeral items are getting rare.

paper sedan chair with carriers

They immediate family members bought an elaborate mansion made out of bamboo and paper. The entire structure was about 7 feet high complete with television set, appliances, rooms, servants and is well lighted during the entire wake.

a small photo of the decrease person, polo shirt, airplane ( partly hidden) to be burned along side the decease person

This happened when Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) was lifted. Since most of their relatives, friends and business associate were already within Metro Manila. The family decided to have a short mourning person of just 6 days.

According to the geomancer whom the family have hired, It is important that the dead person have the 5 M‘s to bring in the afterlife.

The burning of joss paper ‘Money’ equates to making advance deposits in order to bribe the keepers of hell or to be use in the afterlife. A specialized marker was made to indicate the name of the decease person in Chinese characters.

The practice of burning paper luxury goods is believed to keep the spirits of ancestors happy and prosperous as they continue to watch over living relatives.

Mansion – Having a big mansion or building to bring to the afterlife.

Mobility – These includes sedan chair with people to carry the dead, airplane, car and even wheelchair.

Material Wealth – appliances plus all the necessities is a MUST. Some may include air-condition, electric fan, television set, cellphone, washing machine, animals, mahjong table and even a personalized ATM machine!

Maids or Men in order to lead a comfortable life. Other props may also include paper lantern and other stuff that the decease person wanted or have.

The art of making funeral joss paper craft is slowly dying with fewer craftsmen were able to make these items. Having these extra joss paper building add cost to the funeral expenses. Some elaborate master pieces can run thousands or even tens of thousand of pesos.

It is good that Sanctuarium also had a crematorium and columbary units at the upper floors. The family decided to keep the ashes in a Chinese temple nearby after he was cremated.

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Exploring Quiapo During the Traslacion 2020

Quiapo is a historical district in Manila. our small group decided to explore some of the street while the statue of the black nazarene is still roving within the streets of the district during the annual traslacion.

Quezon Avenue

 Traslacion 2020

theme of traslacion 2020

Quiapo is the hispanized name for the word kiyapo/ kiapo/ apon which grew in abundance within the waterways, creeks of Quiapo.

colored candles for sale

Along with some friends and some foreigner friends, We took a chance to explore the district.

rosaries and amulets

leis of sampaguita with camia flowers

We took the side streets and roam around the district and bought some items.

throngs of devotees and tourists brave the hot afternoon sun and overcast skies

different colors black nazarene handkerchiefs

rows of ancestral houses turned into commercial spaces

vendor of yema and pastillas

We bought some pastillas and yema on our way to Raon street aka Gonzalo Puyat street.

black nazarene in front of an electronic store along Roan street / Gonazalo Puyat street

Globe Lumpia with dozens of customer waiting in line to buy their fresh lumpia

food stall – There were over a dozen food stalls selling a variety of street foods, kikiam, shawarma, fish balls, samalamig and meal viand.

food stall within the ground of Isetan Recto Mall

The group walked towards T. Evangelista street which intersect Claro M. Recto street and LRT line 2 station towards LRT line 1 Doroteo Jose station.

Traslacion 2020 crowd is fewer compared to the past few editions. We took the LRT line 1 going home since there were few jeepneys within the district.

RetroCon at Fisher Mall

Retro Convention (RetroCon) held a 3 day trade fair, exhibit and program from November 15 to 17, 2019 at the Fisher Mall in Quezon City.

crowd and table bourse

Unlike in the previous RetroCon at the Lucky Chinatown Mall, There were more table bourse sellers and participants at the convention. There were life size superman, Voltes-V ,wonder woman among others.

retrocon neon signage

There were on the spot raffle, contest, live entertainment, retro music, m and lots of items to see at the site.

greek universe

Voltes V

live program

Unlike other pop culture or trade exhibits in other parts of the metropolis, There is no entrance fees at the convention.

vinyl records and cassette tapes for sale

Krazy Kyle Gianan- Pinoy Picker’s booth

Krazy Kyle Gianan

banknotes

toys and magazines for sale

anime dolls and toys

tin trucks

Mac Kolektibolz

coins, banknotes, old photos, cameras, telephones and posters

old Php 1.00 coin ( Pilipino series 1972 to 1974) for Php 35 each and coins (Php 10.00) each.

tomica toy cars

different kinds of toys and dolls for sale

Jerry’s life size statues on display

It was a wonderful experience roaming around the convention and chatting along with the table bourse sellers and organizers of the event.

Philippine Society of Sleep Medicine celebrates ” World Sleep Day ” with Uratex

Enrique M. Garcia Auditorium, Lung Center , Quezon Avenue – Quezon City

The Philippine Society of Sleep Medicine (PSSM)  in partnership with Lung Center of the Philippines, Uratex led the nationwide celebration of World Sleep Day 2016.

L-R Dr. Virgina S. Delos Reyes, Dr. Agnes T. Remulla , Dr. Duane Salud ,  Dr. Tripat Singh and Dr. Debora Bernardo

The World Sleep Day 2016 slogan is ” Good Sleep is a Reachable Dream ” and this year , Multiflex RNC Philippines , Inc. makers of Uratex foam and mattress products, lent its wholehearted support to the PSSM in its efforts to help promote good, healthful and restful sleep.

ABS-CBN channel 2 news anchor Mr. TJ Manotoc interviewed Mr. Dindo Medina -Sales Director of Uratex

Sleep Matters: discovering the importance of sleep

The PSSM held its 10th annual symposium entitled ” Sleep Matters: Discovering the Importance of Sleep ” on March 17 to 19, 2016 at the Enrique M. Garcia Auditorium of the Lung Center of the Philippines.

Uratex bed and pillows

There were various workshops and lectures of many sleep -related concerns for adults -and even in children -that elicited interests from symposium guests.

booth

PSSM also cited the 10 Commandments of Sleep Hygiene , according to the World Association of Sleep Medicine or WASM , such as having fixed bedtime and waking up time, no daytime sleeping in excess of 45 minutes , avoiding excessive alcohol intake 4 hours before bedtime , avoiding intake of caffeine such as those coffee, tea , most sodas , including chocolate 6 hours before bedtime ; avoiding heavy , spicy , sweets 4 hours before bedtime , using comfortable bedding , finding comfortable temperature when sleeping inside a well-ventilated room, blocking out distracting noise and les light as possible and limiting the use of the bed to just sleeping.

This is why the PSSM reiterates the important elements of good sleep , which are ” Duration ” or the sufficiency of sleep to become well, rested and alert the following day , ” Continuity ” which means sleep time should be continuous and unbroken ; and ” Depth ” that sleep should be deep enough to be restorative or invigorating . Quality sleep , the PSM said , is very crucial to one’s good health and quality of life . It said that good quality and invigorating sleep is important for people’s day to day functioning , even in children for their overall wellness and development .

Mr. Dino Medina – Corporate Sales Director of Multiflex RNC Philippines

” Uratex had always been humbly supporting efforts to promote good sleep , a much -needed bodily activity that unfortunately many people do not pay attention to or perhaps , do not know how to achieve it because of various reasons . Simply put , it al boils down to adapting to a more healthy and less stressed lifestyle , a positive mindset toward life , and choosing the correct mattress depending on the body ‘s shape and contours , and this is where Uratex can help ” explains Mr. Dino Medina .-Corporate Sales Director of Multiflex RNC Philippines.

For more information on superior bed products and other sleep solutions provided by Uratex, visit www.uratex.com.ph or call its consumer hotline at 888-6800.

The author would like to ” Thank” AMPR communication, Uratex Philippines and PSSM for the invitation extended .

 

 

 

National Bookstore Grand Warehouse Sale 2015

4th Floor , National Bookstore , Quezon Avenue- Quezon City- Philippines

National Bookstore – Quezon Avenue

Book lovers , postcard lovers and bargain hunters,   prices are pegged up to 90 percent off, with some titles sold as low as P10.

people busy searching for books

The warehouse sale, which runs until Aug. 18, offers a variety of selections, including best-selling novels, anthologies, biographies and memoirs, works by Filipino authors, comics, textbooks, academic readings, review materials, self-help books, school supplies , office supplies and even postcards are on SALE.

greeting cards

I bought some greeting cards – They come in handy especially when Christmas season is just few months from now.

postcards

Postcards are used to be priced between Php 5.00 per pack to Php 10 per pack during the last warehouse sale, NOW they are being sold at Php 20 per 2 packs or Php 10 each. There are postcards being sold at Php 25 per pack ( single design) But they are quite limited in terms of landmarks and scenery. Since the last warehouse sale, The postcards seems to have a dramatic increase in their prices .

Loom bands being sold for just Php 30 per pack, It used to be retailed at Php 170.00 per pack .

bargain books

controversial Mr. Donald Trump book on sale !

Here are Few Tips  :

1.Try to come as early as possible , It will give more leg time in choosing books , school supplies and other bargain stuffs.

2. Try to bring re-usable bag or eco-bags and hand sanitizer

3. Try to have a companion/ friend and bring candies or biscuits . Since the long lines can take  at least 1 hour just queuing going to the 4th floor and again in paying the cashier. Having a companion to look for the things , maybe chatting and meeting new friend will probably help. I met 2 UST architecture students whom i have a fine time chatting and looking for each others stuffs while falling -in line.

4. Try wear comfortable clothes as the entire floor is stuffy and packed with people looking for bargains and other stuffs, it is also possible to bring face mask , as it also tends to be dirty/ dusty  inside the warehouse.

5 . Bring as little as possible, preferably a small bag instead of a bulky knapsack, as book and bargain hunter aficionados are bound to buy several copies with the low price of both paperbacks and hardcovers.

6. Bulk buyers – NBS sales personnel distribute boxes for customers to place their finds, but it is better to prepare your own shopping bags for convenience in navigating the corridors.

7. Try to bring extra money and credit card as there are a lot of unforeseen items at the warehouse sale , it is also good for early Christmas shopping , I have seen Christmas decoration, Christmas wrappers and nice gift ideas like office organizers.  I have also met a couple of relatives while i was on my way out of the department store.