Ninang and Ninong Kami!

It's official. We've been integrated a step further into the culture of the Catholic Filipino and joined the thousands who are proudly called ninang or ninong (apparantly us being non-Catholic is not an issue is acquiring this responsibility). This is a picture of Gian our 7 month old goddaughter to whom we are now happily committed for the next eighteen years (and beyond?). Before the Baptism the sponsors, a.k.a. us, promised to do some things for the child. Unfortunately the priest spoke quickly in Tagalog and we aren't positive about what we committed to, but we will be sure to do our best to be exceptional godparents. We do know some of our roles as ninang and ninong. According to my students the most important one is to give Gian gifts for all major (and minor) holidays and assist her with all the needs of the standard Filipino child. School fees, Girl Scout registration fee, School blessing donations, Graduation fees and others.

Ate (older sister) Guiliana, Sir Cueto (My Supervisor), Gian, Ms. Cueto, Ninang and Ninong


Baptism Day coincided with town fiesta and no fiesta is complete without a marching band to perform pop songs after the priest gives his message. This group kept playing for hours even though it was in the 90s and the hottest part of the day. I felt guilty as I recalled complaining about the few kilometers we marched at the dairy festival in much cooler Vermont where we were accompanied by bunches of moms with icey water bottles and little pre-packaged snacks.
Of course the other element of fiesta, and baptisms, is free food at the family's home. Anyone is welcome to join and there is seemingly unlimited supplies of different ulams (main dishes), rice and various jello-ish desserts.

This kid is relaxing in a duyan (hammock) after his big fiesta meal and playing with a june bug he has tied to a string, a favorite game of many Filipino youngsters.