National Flag Day

The 28^th of May through the 12^th of June is Philippines National Flag Day. Throughout the celebration, all Filipinos are encouraged to display Philippine flag at their public and private offices, schools and even private homes. When the flag is displayed, the blue color should be on top. Putting the red color on top means the country is at war. Philippines National Flag Day is to commemorate the very first day the Philippine flag was flown freely after the Filipinos Revolutionary Army defeated Spanish Forces in the Battle of Alapan in 1898.

Philippines had been a colony of Spain for around three centuries, 1595 to 1898. Filipinos adopted the Spanish customs and traditions. Spanish highly influenced Filipinos in all aspects of their lives. In the early Spanish colonization, education was mostly religious oriented dominated by Roman Catholic Church. The two oldest universities in the Philippines are University of Santo Tomas and San Carlos University. University of Santo Tomas was founded in Manila, 1590 by Jesuits. University of San Carlos was founded in Cebu City in 1595. These schools are still operating until now honing Filipinos with their educational mandate.

Lifestyle

I came home at around eight in the morning Tuesday after work. We have new work schedule every week. You get lucky if you get the most convenient work schedule for you.  I have the earliest work schedule this week same with my team mates. There are advantages and disadvantages with the earlier work shift. The advantages, I do not have to bring my umbrella or my sun block lotion to protect me from scorching sunlight. It is cooler when I come home. To name few disadvantages- having to fight traffic jams on my way to work. It is rush hour for those who wanted to be home from their work. Shopping malls are still closed. I just got lucky the place  I lived at has nearby Mini Stop and Seven Eleven.  These stores are open twenty four hours. There is also  a grocery store that opens as early as eight in the morning. In case I need something. They are the most convenient places to go.

This rose  is for my sister. Today is her birthday!

Housing in Manila is another big expense that you may not be happy setting aside your monthly pay. If you want to stay close to your place of work you have no choice but to pay for higher rent. I live in a big house run by Catholic nuns that suits me just fine. I get to see them all the time because we have same work area like living room and kitchen. My land ladies are of different nationalities, but most of them are Spanish. Oh, they were so happy winning the World Cup. There are at least seven of them assigned in Manila and most are assigned in Mindanao for their mission. Most of them are on vacations since early this year and went back to their respective countries. There are three of them in Manila right now. Normally when I get home, Miss India, as I teased her, would be busy preparing lunch. She goes to school in the afternoon. She has to take her lunch ahead of her colleagues.

For several months our house had been silent unlike when the other four ladies were here. At dinner time after their prayers I would normally hear them, telling stories and laughing by themselves. They never ran out of stories to tell. They are just happy and contented with their lifestyle. They are provided with housing and all they needed by their congregation but they do not have monies of their own. Miss India told me she has a sister who is also a nun, assigned in Rome studying. Later her sister will be assigned in Africa for missionary work. Such a simple life, yet they are happy and contented for what they got. No readers, I have no plan of being one of them. I have a different vocation. I just want to share a simple contented lifestyle. On the other side of the coin, I wonder why there are some people who fight for monies and fame. However at the end, they are still losers.