May!
We are now in the fifth month of this year! Many look forward to May for a number of reasons.
It is the merry month of fiestas in various parts of the Philippines. The Province of Bohol, for example, has fiestas scheduled from the first until the end of May. No one goes hungry in Bohol during this month, they say you just make sure you know the schedule of the fiestas of Tagbilaran City and all towns of Bohol.
There is also the joke and the observation that Boholanos go home for fiestas. So if you have household helpers from this province, expect them to be in Bohol for fiesta. Even those in other parts of the world strive to schedule their return visits and reunions with their families in Bohol during fiesta time.
May is also considered the Mary month. The Flores de Mayo, a practice where children are gathered every afternoon to offer prayers and flowers to Mama Mary, is done in this month. Many children may not understand yet the profound meaning of prayer to Mama Mary. However, they enjoy being with their friends and neighbors, gathering to look for and pick flowers to bring to church for Mama Mary. The children may not know all the names but this daily practice throughout May certainly connects them to the beautiful flowers in their environment, with various colors, shapes, and fragrances.
May is also within summer vacation! For many Filipinos, that means going to the beach. May was not as hot and humid as this year's April when temperatures hit 40 degrees or more.
May is frolic time! Oh, the joy of meeting the gentle waves, of playing with the sand, eating boiled bananas with ginamos, laughing, singing, and enjoying with friends and family. Precious moments, precious memories! Irreplaceable, unforgettable!
May does not often have rains --one expects the sun almost daily during this month. The sunny weather allows for more trips to the hills and the forests and there experience and savor the added attraction of May --fruits to one's delight!
Siniguelas, tambis (or makopa in Tagalog), mango, watermelon, did you have lomboy as well in May? Oh, there were the abundant butong (young coconut), the varied types of bananas, papaya, pomelo, and more!
And of course, where you have fresh coconuts, you have fresh coco juice and fresh tuba (coconut wine). Then you can squeeze the coconut milk and mix with brown muscovado sugar, for latik, suman, and more!
In Japan, the first week of May is considered golden. The Golden Week starts on April 29 which celebrates the Emperor's Birthday or the Midori no Hi (Greenery Day) or the Showa No Hi.
Then follow the other holidays in early May: the 3rd is Kenpoo Kinenbi or Constitution Day, May 4 is Kokumin no Hi or Citizen's Holiday and May 5, Children's Day (Kodomo no Hi) also known as Boys' Day. Carp banners are raised in Japanese households with male children.
The carp or koi is highly respected and symbolic in Japanese culture. The koi or carp signifies perseverance and strength due to the fish's tendency to swim upstream, resisting simply "going with the flow." To the Japanese, the koi is a good reminder, especially to boys, that they should remain strong in the face of adversity, that they should never give up, and they should develop strength of character, purpose, and ultimate success through perseverance.
Today is just the 5th of May. Thank God for May! May you all have a blast this merry month of this year!
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