International Day

Last Friday was International Day at ISB. Kids and parents went to school wearing their countries' national costumes. There were song and dance numbers, a mini parade of nations, and booths selling food from different countries.

Big Girl has a Baro't Saya (the Philippine costume for girls), which I bought  at SM before we came here. Unfortunately, it's still too long for her so we decided on something more casual but actually more appropriate for the Filipino-Canadian that she is. A black cap that says CANADA, a black shirt that says PHILIPPINES, plus a Philippine and Canadian flag!



Proudly Filipino-Canadian



Mr. Big wearing his TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS shirt. He had this for years now, but hadn't worn it in public until that day. Big Boy is wearing a shirt that says CANADA. I wore a shirt that says BORACAY PHILIPPINES.



The Pinoy booth selling puto, kutchinta, pansit, bibingka, cassava cake, and banana cues (from me----I didn't make them though, I ordered them from a manang)




A nice lady from Australia looking sooo cute in her pink robe and rollers while selling some yummy treats.

It was a fun but tiring day for our "international" family. We all fell asleep as soon as we got home. I woke up around 3 pm finding myself still on the couch, feeling like I slept forever, and the kids and Mr. Big sleeping on the carpet, looking like refugees!

A Very Late Hari Raya Post

The majority of people in the Philippines are Christians, and I was raised as one, so really, I never had to immerse myself in Muslim practices and celebrations first-hand. Before we came, I thought that being here wouldn't bring a lot of new experiences and surprises, but I was wrong.

Experiencing Ramadan, for example. No, we didn't join the fasting, but we learned to be very careful not to eat or drink in public. Just common courtesy, and consideration, really, but it's one of those things that we can only fully understand if we are out of our comfort zones.

And Hari Raya celebrations. Honestly, it's a shame that I had no idea how they were going to celebrate it considering how many Muslim friends/classmates I had when I was growing up.

I was very surprised to learn that it felt a lot like having Christmas in the Philippines----minus Santa and the christmas tees, of course. Colorful lights, visiting people's houses, buffet-styled feasts, sharing gifts, giving money to children, wearing new clothes...it was very nice.



Big Girl in a Baju Kurung, her Open House uniform




Above and Below: Big Girl together with her dad and his students during their school's Open House



I am already looking forward to next year's celebrations. Next time, I will get myself a nice Baju Kurung, as well!