Is there a difference in how you celebrate Father’s Day between you and your dad?
Have you ever compared how you and your father celebrated Father’s Day? In the Philippines, where I come from, the Father’s Day celebration had come a long way. During my dad’s time, it’s not popular. It only started to gain popularity when then President Corazon Aquino endorsed Mother’s Day in the Philippines. Since then, Father’s Day has also become popular. When the Internet became available in the Philippines, it even increased in popularity.
When my father was still alive, I don’t remember that we ever celebrated Father’s Day. But I do remember every year on October 1, my dad and all of my dad’s sisters all gather together at our grandmother’s house in Vinzons, Camarines Norte, Bicol, a province in the south eastern part of the Philippines. They did this in honor of the anniversary of our grandfather’s death. For me, this is the day my dad celebrated father’s day. My father has six other sisters, he is the only son by the way, so on this special day, all family members get together, including his children. It’s a huge family and it’s fun to get to know all your relatives. We are a happy family you can say that. Each year a family is in charge of providing the food and preparing all the requirements for the ceremony.
The table is full of fruits, Chinese dishes and sweets. The older ones play cards, the children play and the others laugh. Then we all walk together to our grandfather’s grave to pay respect and offer prayers. This is a time to bring back fond memories of our grandfather. We all went back to our grandmother’s house and started eating. It’s a big party; we are all dressed appropriately. This one thing I can’t forget. There is always a family photo. Later, I realized that this is a very important piece to remember the past. It was a perfect memory of a happy family.
What’s so good about this family reunion? Most importantly, it gives a closer family bond. Years later, when my father died, my aunts help us get up and help me finish my university studies. What do you think now? How do we celebrate Father’s Day? With the advent of new technologies and global media at our fingertips, Father’s Day is celebrated as in the United States of America.
The most common method is to give a gift of gifts to the Father. These are the ten most common gifts: Electronic greeting cards: via Internet email; personalized gift such as a new tie, belt, watch or shoes, a ticket to a live concert or live game of your favorite sports, dinner at a nice restaurant, watch a movie together, health advice books, a package from Travel Tour, a digital camera, a new cell phone and a gift certificate so you can shop with your own choice.
In short, what are the differences between now and before? The main difference is the type of gift we give today compared to before. Today we celebrate according to what we read and what we see in the media. What is the common good of these two practices? It’s the bond and love you spent with your dad and that’s what Father’s Day is all about. Give your Father the respect and love due him.
Have a Happy Father’s Day together!
