Kalesa is now rarely used as mode of transportation due to modern counterpart technologies such as private cars, motorcycles, sidecar motorcycles, jeepneys, trucks, and bicycles. Although, they can be seen in some places of the Philippines, kalesa’s some century-old examples are still preserved in areas of Vigan and Laoag. Some of them can also be found in Intramuros and Binondo in the city of Manila, Iligan City, and Pasil area of Cebu.

On February 25, 1986, it was the day when Corazon Aquino finally sworn in as president by Supreme Court Senior Justice Claudio Teehankee at Club Filipino together with her vice Laurel. Also Juan Ponce Enrile was appointed as Defense Minister and Fidel V. Ramos as Armed Forces Chief-of-Staff. A constitutional commission was then formed and replaced the 1973 Constitution. The new 1987 Constitution was ratified through a plebiscite held on 2 February 1987.

As a Roman Catholic Country, Valentine’s Day can be spent by lovers without breaking the law of God. It is not tolerable for them to go in motels and do premarital sex. But on this modern day, some of us are not giving importance on this matter anymore. We just continue doing things of what we think can give us self-satisfaction.

The most wonderful part of Valentine’s Day in the Philippines is the fact that whether or not there is economic crisis in the country, this wouldn’t become a hindrance for us Filipinos by not giving anymore red roses or sweet stuff to the people we care so much, it could be our loved ones, office mates, friends, or even those who have hurt our feelings.

The “kasunduan” or shotgun marriage is unusual way when both parents are the one arranging the future wedding of their child where both the bride and groom to be had no choice but to comply. However, this classical way of wedding is no longer existed on this modern era.

Traditionally though, even at this day and age, “ligawan” (courtship) still exists. “Harana” or simply called suitor’s serenade is use to form part of this ritual but nowadays, it’s usually love letters or even emails, flowers, chocolates, or dating are practice by modern lovers.

When the “magkasintahan” or lovers keep their long-term relationship and want to crossover from being single and get married, the following are some things to consider:

Although, the marriage proposal has been practiced by almost all countries, Filipinos are also adopting this way before pursuing to marriage. “Will you marry me” is the very common word use by men to ask women if she will accept the offer which could be the possible way to begin of a much-awaited grand celebration.

Normally, the average Filipino men are wary on giving a ring as gift on ordinary occasions for he’s concerned that his girlfriend might get the wrong impression because the ring tends to speak of a deeper commitment. It really says a lot even without saying a word. The engagement ring is not a requisite to marriage but more of an option.

But before celebrating the wedding, “pamanhikan” plays a very important role where the groom parents ask the women parents’ permission to have their go signal for the said celebration. The “paninilbihan” is a service rendered by the groom to woo the bride family’s approval. It is an original tradition where the marrying man attends to some daunting chores for the family of the bride to show his worth, fortitude and, responsibility.

In Philippine wedding, the groom is obliged to pay all the wedding expenses by his family, unlike in some western cultures. But more and more couples contribute their share from their hard-earned savings. Some couples even shoulder the entire wedding expense themselves.

Influences from the South East Asian Migrations and other Asian migrations to the islands known as the Philippines are many fold, but one very strong influence that holds even today, is a respect for their elders. From youth, Filipinos are taught to respect those who are older than them. Not only have the elders given birth and raised many, but in their age, they have grown wiser, more experienced, and have, by tradition earned the respect of younger generations.

Filipinos treat elders with the utmost respect. Mannerisms, gestures and language are used to convey this respect for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, acquaintances and even strangers. Several symbolic ways in which respect is given to elders is in the use of language by calling older Filipinos “Po” and older siblings, cousins, and family friends “Kuya” and “Atee”.

The most fascinating and ritualistic custom of showing respect to elders is of the greeting or salutation, the Mano. The Philippines is the only country in Asia that holds this specific tradition and its origins evolved from the mixture of western and eastern tradition. The Mano [spanish for hand] evolved from the traditions of respect for ones elders which comes from asian cultures coupled with the respect for the clergy during the spanish occupation of the Philippines.

Children are taught to respect their elders. One way of expressing respect is by “kissing” the right hand of an elder person when you greet them. Actually, you don’t really kiss the hand. You just bow a bit, and gently take the elder’s right hand with your right hand, and move it towards your own forehead. Sometimes, it’s the back of their hand that touches the forehead. More often, it’s the knuckles.

One of the most influential origins of the Mano began when the Catholic friars who occupied, colonized, and converted many insisted that the Indios [the native people] kiss their hand, as a sign of power over them. At the time, the Pope who was held in high esteem extended his hand to priests, nuns & lay people as he gave his blessings as they kissed his signet ring. This ritual was appropriated by the Catholic Friars and Priests, especially in the Philippines. As a result the Filipinos appropriated this tradition as a means to show respect to one’s elders by way of the Mano. The Mano is when one slightly bows to one’s elder as they take the elder’s opposing hand and respectfully place it to one’s own forehead.

Cebuanos call the takers as ang nagpatara lang (people who do not budge to lift a helping hand). Like Juan Tamad, they just wait for the guavas to fall into their laps. There are many of us are like that. They are sometimes called parasites, friends who do not respect boundaries of friends who abuse their friendship.

The givers are generous souls, the concerned and compassionate Disciples of Christ who think nothing of sharing their food or their shirt. They go out their way to help even a stranger. Actually, a cemetery visit can be a place where we can be awakened to the temporary time we live on earth. In such a case, it is temporary, or maybe we can try to make life better for the living, too. The living also needs flowers, food, and our immediate loving care.