HOLY WEEK

We're going to do a Visita Iglesia tomorrow and I am excited. The last time we were in Zamboanga we got to do it and it was a nice experience. If there were as many churches in Japan I would do the Visita Iglesia every Holy Week while there. Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing all the churches and taking photos. I hope I get some really nice shots. :)

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This one's for Becky, in reply to a query. I'm sorry I couldn't be more specific. All I know (and was told) is that it's a man's face on a full moon. If I ever find the answer to your question, I'll tell you asap. Meanwhile, this one's for you.

Why the Sun Follows the Moon

The Sun and the Moon used to be married and shared the sky. One day the Moon had to gather vegetables in the forest and asked the Sun to watch over their children. She warned him not to get too near the sleeping kids because they might get burned.

He watches the kids from a distance but, because he wanted to kiss them, forgot his wife's warning. He bends over near his children and, horrified, sees them melt. He hides in the forest. His wife, the Moon, returns to find her children all melted. After some time, the Sun shows himself to the Moon. They fight: He throws the vegetables to her face and she leaves him.

On a clear night, when the Moon is full, you will see traces of vegetable leaves on her face. Their children have turned into stars, while the Sun keeps chasing after the Moon in an attempt to reconcile.

The Sun and the Moon
(Mandaya / Mindanao)

THE Sun and the Moon were married, but the Sun was very ugly and quarrelsome. One day he became angry at the Moon and started to chase her. She ran very fast until she was some distance ahead of him, when she grew tired and he almost caught her. Ever since he has been chasing her, at times almost reaching her, and again falling far behind.

The first child of the Sun and Moon was a large star, and he was like a man. One time the Sun, becoming angry at the star, cut him up into small pieces and scattered him over the whole sky just as a woman scatters rice, and ever since there have been many stars.

Another child of the Sun and Moon was a gigantic crab. [135] He still lives and is so powerful that every time he opens and closes his eyes there is a flash of lightning. Most of the time the crab lives in a large hole in the bottom of the sea, and when he is there we have high tide; but when he leaves the hole, the waters rush in and there is low tide. His moving about also causes great waves on the surface of the sea.

The crab is quarrelsome like his father; and he sometimes becomes so angry with his mother, the Moon, that he tries to swallow her. [136] When the people on earth, who are fond of the Moon, see the crab near her, they run out of doors and shout and beat on gongs until he is frightened away, and thus the Moon is saved.

Cole, Mabel Cook. Philippine Folk Tales.

Notes

[135] The crab was called Tambanokano.

[136] An eclipse of the moon. This belief in a monster swallowing the moon and the wild efforts to frighten it away are very widespread. It is found among the Batak of Palawan and in other parts of Malaysia as well as in the South Sea, Mongol, Chinese, Siamese, and Hindoo mythology. Even in Peru we find the belief that an evil spirit in the form of a beast was eating the moon, and that in order to scare it the people shouted and yelled and beat their dogs to make them add to the noise. See Karlson, Journal of Religious Psychology, November, 1914, p. 164.


The Sun And The Moon BY RUDOLF RAHMANN S.V.D.

In the beginning the Sun God, Arao, and the Moon Goddess, Buan had
both a numerous family of stars. Those 'of Arao were of a golden yellow color,
and extremely brilliant, while those of Buan were of silvery white with no heat
at all. Buan became obsessed with the idea that her stars would be unable to
withstand the heat and light of Arao and his progeny. She therefore made a
compact with Arao that they both destroy their stars as a measure of safety.
This they mutually agreed to do.
After the Sun had devoured his stars, the Moon hid hers in the obscurity
of the clouds, from which ever and again they emerged. The Sun seeing this
was filled with righteous rage at the cunning deception of the Moon. In consequence
the Sun is eternally in pursuit of the Moon to destroy her for having
deceived him to protect her progeny.
The chase has lasted since the dawn of time. Sometimes the Sun gets close
enough to bite her. This is an eclipse. Time heals the wound, for the Moon
is continually waxing and waning, as the pursuit closes on her and she takes
refuge behind the higher obscurities.
The Sun returns and devours the stars at dawn or puts them to flight, while
the Moon hides them during the day and only brings them forth when she is
advised by her eldest daughter, Tala, the Evening and Morning Star, that the
Sun is far away and cannot pursue them.2

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I wish everyone a blessed week. I know some families are planning trips and get togethers but let's not forget the real reason behind the no-work-and-classes week: Jesus. So, let's just be mindful of our Catholic duties, spend time with our families and, good or bad, reflect on the year that was.