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Live in the Philippines Forum » Living in the Philippines

Why is the 7th Birthday important here in the P.I.?

(7 posts)
  • Started 10 months ago by Paul Thompson
  • Latest reply from Paul Thompson

  1. Paul Thompson
    Member

    I need your help, I wrote the article “They’re Only Seven Once, here on LIP, and am trying to find out what fellow LIP readers have for information on that subject. Thanks for any help!

    Posted 10 months ago #

  2. bangkaboat
    Member

    I'm thinking confirmation, but I've asked the question on my Facebook page & will post when I have a few answers from my Filipino/a family & friends..

    Posted 10 months ago #

  3. bangkaboat
    Member

    Ok, Paul, my wife says that it is an important birthday because:
    1) It is lucky 7! (uh-huh?)
    2) It is the age of confirmation.
    and
    3) This is the age at which children remember things? From further probing, I got the impression that this means they become individuals, more responsible, no longer "babies".

    (I don't think I'll ever understand Filipino sociology)

    Posted 10 months ago #

  4. Paul Thompson
    Member

    Mike;
    I had a feeling that there might be a religious connection involved. More responsible? That does not sound like me when I was seven. I will add these to my growing list and thanks Mike!

    Posted 10 months ago #

  5. kingskid
    Member

    (I don't think I'll ever understand Filipino sociology)

    Well it looks like I belong to that group. For a Jew - 13 is the age of becoming a man or woman. For a Baptist - differs - As soon as the child understands who God is and what He has done for us. My daughter Michelle? Age 5. The other two? Not yet. Here in the States the kids are out of High School at age 18 or 19. In the Philippines? 16! So young! Too young! Like Mike and Paul - I don't think I'll ever understand Filipino sociology, but I will do my best.

    Posted 10 months ago #

  6. bangkaboat
    Member

    That's part of the fun, Kingskid! In the early days of our marriage, I couldn't understand how my wife could be such a strong Catholic, yet, believe in so much hoodoo-voodoo. I remember waking up one morning to find her entire family gathered around our t.v., watching a report on a "dwarf in a tree". They kept pointing at the t.v. screen & were astounded that I was too dense to be able to make out the dwarf that they could plainly see! Then, of course, there are the sig-bins, or sinig-bins(can never remember the correct term). It makes for very interesting conversation & I have stopped criticizing the beliefs and have a great appreciation for how the ancient Malay beliefs still flow so strongly through so many Filipinos. When I return, my first duty - according to my wife - is to get some anti-bullet, anti-stabbing charms. Sure, why not! Now, if only I can convince everyone on Samal to revert to the former Malay dress code, I'll be a happy camper!
    Mike

    Posted 10 months ago #

  7. Paul Thompson
    Member

    Hi Mike;
    Last night at dinner my wife asked if I believed in ghosts, I told her “No I didn’t believe in them!” Now she asked why? “Mahal the population of Earth is in the billions, just going back six thousand years and all those who have died, would be in the trillions, where would all those ghosts live? She also is a strong Catholic, and just using the Holy Ghost as an example, she’ll continue to believe in ghosts no matter how crowded. it gets.
    As to the way they dressed (or didn't dress) in the past, my response is "A pox on missionaries!"

    Posted 10 months ago #

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