Showing posts with label Arts and Cultural Heritage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arts and Cultural Heritage. Show all posts

Sunday, June 14, 2020

A Journey of A Thousand Miles


Life brings us to the place of our dreams. That's the beginning of a beautiful journey ahead. We dream it, we believe it, and we live it.

We manifest and hold on to that dream; we bring our intentions to life, and it starts with a single with— a single step.

Life may bring us to several places in our lifetime. Some destinations may still need to be planned, but opportunities and destiny take us there.

In 2016, after a thousand-mile journey abroad, life brought me to a lovely place known as the city of love—Iloilo City, Philippines.


I hold a special place in my heart, having lived there for a year, from mid-2002 until mid-2003. It's where I embarked on my college journey in a city epitomizing the region's higher education. The city's charm, with its century-old churches and meticulously preserved ancestral houses, was a sight to behold—a beauty that transcends time.

True to its moniker, the city lives up to the expectation of being the 'City of Love.' But it's not just the name; it's the warmth and love of the people that truly make it a place that captivates the soul.

13 years after I left, I came back to live and practice my profession by working in a medical center near the esplanade, where I used to spend some morning strolls and sunset viewing. I have seen the city's growth as it embraced modern infrastructure development while preserving its old heritage. Now, the city is a fusion of the ancient and contemporary world. It has a more charming vibe among the developing cities in the Philippines.


That journey to the 'City of Love' brought memories to cherish for a lifetime, until one day, another journey began to another place; to the country's capital region of Metro Manila, back to the site where I started to work and discover places and the world.

Today, our world may have stopped. Life may have led me back to my greater comfort and security, to my birthplace, and to be with my family  my loved ones. This return to my roots, where I was born and raised, has brought me peace and stability during these uncertain times.

The thousand-mile journey brought meaning to life but also took me away from my family. Now, a journey of a thousand miles includes a 'home sweet home' closer to my family. Home, where I find comfort, security, and love, is not just a physical location but a feeling of belonging and connection.

Life is good to return to their loving and warm embrace during this crisis, where uncertainty unfolds. I was far away from them for years, searching for a living, but now I am living with them, searching for meaning.


Now, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Wherever we are in this world, no matter how far the distance we've been, we'll always return to the most special place in our hearts-our home, where our family resides. It is the love and warmth of our family that makes any journey, no matter how long or difficult, worthwhile. 

Life will always protect and comfort us, leading us back, even after a thousand-mile journey and beyond. 

© 2020 Del Cusay



Monday, August 12, 2019

Eid'l Adha: Its Interfaith Significance

This day marks the Islamic celebration of the 'Festival of Sacrifice', known as Eid-al Adha. Despite being declared a holiday, this festival was unknown to me for many years, and I hadn't understood much about its religious significance until recently when I participated in an Islamic and cultural immersion at the Manila Golden Mosque in celebration of the end of Ramadan or the Eid'l Fitr: A Moment of Peace.

Community Immersion at Manila Golden Mosque during the celebration of Eid'l Fitr on June 5, 2019

Eid'l Adha is when Muslims from around the world commemorate the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim or Abraham to sacrifice his son. What's interesting about this festival is the similarity of the same story in Christianity found in the book of Genesis in the Old Testament.


In the Quran, God appeared to Abraham and was told to make a sacrifice for his son, Ishmael. In the Bible, the son of Abraham to be sacrificed was Isaac. Then, just before Abraham ended his son's life, a lamb was replaced by God instead of his son. That was a test of faith given by God to Abraham, and he passed it faithfully.

In a deeper sense and in today's significance, the son of Abraham may not be just a literal person but something valuable in us, a part of us that we are most attached to. It could be an attachment to someone, a worldly possession, or obsolete thoughts.

These attachments take away our precious time with God due to divided attention. When God tested Abraham to sacrifice his son, it was like God's telling Abraham to pay attention to Him and obey His will so that Abraham could follow wholeheartedly when his attention was undivided and to God alone.

In our reality today, God may be talking to and commanding us on what to do, but we choose to ignore Him or simply don't focus on listening to Him. We are preoccupied with daily activities, work, or building relationships with our family and the community. Still, we only give him a little time and attention due to many physical, mental, and emotional distractions.

It's also a reality that God may take away something valuable or someone we love and that we have nothing to oppose but to accept it wholeheartedly because that is His will, which is the Divine plan. Then we realize that God is in total control of everything, even the breath we take and our last breath on earth. 

Eid'l Adha is not just significant among our Muslim brothers and sisters because all of us, regardless of faith, may have learned about the sacrifices that we have to make.

Today, we may be sacrificing to save us and uplift our souls. We may offer a relationship with someone, a friend, or a group. This is where we let go of things that do not give much value to our being but just give us pain and sorrow.

When we let go of old habits and obsolete beliefs, we take on a fresh idea, accept a new relationship, and nurture what is ideal for God's glory and Divine love. That's an interfaith significance we all can learn from our Muslim brothers and sisters.

We do not hate but cultivate more profound understanding, acceptance, and belonging. We do not fear, but we face reality stronger and more steadily. We do not ignore but co-celebrate with humility and love to our Humanity. We live to co-exist and can live harmoniously, peacefully, and happily.

© 2019 Del Cusay




Wednesday, June 5, 2019

Eid'l Fitr: A Moment of Peace and Harmony


It has been a wish of mine that one day, I will glimpse an Islamic religious celebration and have a deeper understanding and experience of the faith of our Muslim brothers and sisters. Today, that wish came true. 

I am a Christian, but I have celebrated and been immersed in other religious holidays, particularly Hindu festivals like Diwali and Holi, which commemorate the triumph of good over evil. That was a few years back, when I could work and travel in India from 2011 until 2014.

In this new world age, we have started to better understand different faiths, and slowly, we have gained experience, wisdom, and enlightenment. We have begun to embrace the world of secularism not because we have a wandering soul but because we desire to stop interfaith conflicts and wars, prejudice, fanaticism, and misunderstanding. We have one big desire in this world of numerous faiths and creeds: world peace that is achieved through acceptance, humility, and love.

There is so much misconception about the Islamic faith since some radical Muslims are tagged to be involved in terrorist activities, mainly in the Middle East and other countries. The negative actions of a few do not define the character of a greater whole, so it is time to discover more about Islam and break the barriers to understanding their faith.

As the world marks the end of the Holy month of Ramadan with Eid-al Fitr, a day of celebration and victory, I find myself drawn to this significant event. It's a chance to stand in solidarity with our Muslim brothers and sisters, to share in their joy after a month of fasting and sacrifice.


My journey to the Golden Mosque in Quiapo, Manila, began as a simple walking tour. I was familiar with the bustling district of Quiapo, having visited the Basilica of the Black Nazarene several times. But I had yet to explore the other side, where the largest mosque in Metro Manila stands.

The Golden Mosque in Quiapo, Manila, is a sight to behold. Its architecture, reminiscent of structures found in the Middle East, features a grand dome with a crescent moon, pointed arches, columns, and intricate carvings. This style is also prevalent in Muslim Mindanao, home to many significant mosques.

Celebrating Eid'l Fitr, they give their last best shot until they return to regular activities and break the fasting ritual. This is a day filled with pure joy and happiness, a moment of unbridled celebration.

Starting at dawn, just before sunrise, they would prepare their physical bodies and wear new clothes before heading to the mosque for prayer and sermon, after which they would do house visits to their relatives and neighbors with greetings like Eid Mubarak or Blessed Eid, have some gift-giving or cash gift and sharing of foods and sweets.

Christians and Muslims share the same creed, and I have found some similarities, which is also the center of our Christian faith. In Islam, their teachings include almsgiving to the poor, giving food to the needy, and helping the poor uplift their lives, an act of compulsory giving that is one of the pillars of Islam similar to the Corporal works of mercy among Christians.


Since it is a feast day for Muslims, I had lunch at Pamanganan Malaysian Halal food just a few steps from the mosque entrance. Other Halal-certified restaurants nearby, like Junaira and Landap café, offer Mindanao cuisine.

We may have read the word "halal" on some food labels in the supermarket. For Muslims, it means 'food that is permitted or allowed according to Islamic law' and the term "haram" is the opposite and would mean 'food that is forbidden,' This shows how strict a Muslim diet could be for the sake of physical and spiritual health.

My day trip to the Manila Golden Mosque was a profound experience that deepened my understanding and appreciation of the Islamic faith and culture. The beauty of Arabic architecture and the richness of their culture have left a lasting impression on me. It's important to remember that the radical groups involved in wars and terrorism do not represent the true spirit of Islam. Islam is a religion of peace, and with greater appreciation and understanding, we can foster a culture of love and respect for each other.

© 2019 Del Cusay




Wednesday, May 1, 2019

The Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help: Our Love and Devotion


In times of difficult moments, we always seek Divine help, a spiritual intervention that will give us answers to our specific needs. We have our prayers, our personal petitions from God. We come to the house of God, His church, with humility and faith to kneel and offer a prayer.

Today, I chose to travel to a particular place of the Mother of God. The National Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, also known as Baclaran church. I have visited the Shrine many times since mid-2000, just the beginning of the new millennium. 

What makes our devotion special is when our Mother took us to the Shrine to pray the novena and celebrate the mass. Later I realized that my Mother has a great devotion and faith in the Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and with the intervention of Mama Mary, a mission station was built in our hometown in Jamindan, Capiz, and was named after the same title as Mary - - Our Lady of Perpetual Help. 

Located in Barangay Linambasan, the mission station of Our Lady of Perpetual Help was elevated to a Parish in the year 2018 with Reverent Father John Denosta as the first-ever priest assigned a few months before Reverent Father Jeffrey Estrella took over to continue the religious service to the people. 

Whenever I am in our hometown for a vacation, I visit this peaceful sanctuary to pray for the intervention of Mama Mary. My devotion started because it was our own Mother who led and guided us to come to the Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. My mother has testimonies of the blessings and miracles of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and she would want us to devote ourselves to Mama Mary as our Divine love and light. 

Since then, I have experienced peace and serenity and answered prayers which I consider a miracle because it was responded to at the right time when I almost felt hopeless and desperate. 


Today, the first day of May 2019, was a blissful experience with thousands of devotees who recited the novena and celebrated the mass. There is a Divine presence that keeps us feeling embraced and comforted. The solemnity of the eucharist makes us feel strongly connected, and our communication feels like being heard. 

During the silent moment, our hearts could feel that Mama Mary, the Mother of Christ, is there for us like our mother, who protects and comforts us. 

Today, my petition is for our good health and healing, that God will protect us from sickness and illnesses and heal our physical, mental, and emotional discomforts. And my greatest desire is to have found the one who will complete me and live a better life together.

Today, I am with the Divine and have prayed for whatever my heart desires. I am forever grateful to Mama Mary, and may she always hear and intercede on our prayers to God, for our love and devotion is never-ending and eternal.

© 2019 Del Cusay

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Tuesday, February 5, 2019

Celebrating Chinese New Year 2019: Luck, Prosperity and Faith

Lion and Dragon Dance
: The Chinese New Year, a significant part of Philippine culture for centuries, is celebrated by Filipinos from all walks of life, especially those of Chinese descent, whom we call Tsinoy or Intsik. The Lion and Dragon Dance, a traditional Chinese performance, is a key highlight of these celebrations. The lion symbolizes courage, the dragon represents power, and their dance is believed to bring good luck and prosperity.

In Binondo, a district in Manila, a vibrant and colorful celebration happens every Chinese New Year to welcome prosperity and abundance in businesses established by the Tsinoys. The majority of the community comes from Fujian and Guangdong provinces in China.

Grand Parade at Ongpin St. in Binondo
Centuries has passed. They have endured wars and conflicts in their little community, Chinatown in Binondo, and communities established in other places in the Philippine archipelago. But today, their businesses thrive in Binondo and have conquered almost all commerce and industries, becoming business leaders.

Our Philippine culture is greatly influenced by the Tsinoys, as evidenced by the food we serve during holidays, beliefs in luck through Chinese astrology or horoscope, Chinese martial arts, Chinese feng shui, Chinese arts, and architectural designs and structures. Today, all of these influences are alive in Binondo, particularly in the famous street of Ongpin—the center of the Chinese New Year celebration in the country.

Fruits and lucky charms
: Tsinoys have been elected to serve the country even in politics and governance. Beyond their business interests, they have proven themselves effective public servants, becoming truly Filipino by heart. Their ancestors were Chinese immigrants to the Philippines, and they now have a massive influence in Philippine politics, with several prominent figures of Chinese descent holding key positions. Filipinos patronize their brand of leadership, which often reflects the values and principles of Chinese culture.

My journey in Binondo started in 2013. Celebrating the Chinese New Year 2013: A New Beginning was a meaningful and joyful experience. That began a beautiful fusion of Chinese and Filipino culture, an immersion that enriches our understanding of the country's deeply rooted Chinese influence.

Five years later, Celebrating Chinese New Year 2018: Prosperity and Abundance was a celebration of success, thanksgiving for an incredible year that has passed, and greater optimism for the current year. That's the essence: becoming better and bolder every year.


According to Chinese culture, this year of the Pig brings wealth and prosperity through the beliefs and symbols one must possess. This has been adopted by most Filipinos, and every year, we strive to become a better version of ourselves and free ourselves from obsolete beliefs. Every new year is a renewal and a vow through the lists of resolutions. We may believe in luck, but our faith and personal devotion to a higher source also bring success and prosperity in life.

As we celebrate a new year with optimism and grace, our dreams and hopes may become brighter this year and beyond. Let's look forward to the future with hope and positivity, embracing the opportunities and challenges that come our way.


© 2019 Del Cusay