It’s August 31st, a very special day here in the Philippines, and I’ve just experienced something completely new. Today was Liam’s first "Buwan ng Wika" celebration at his school. I’ll be honest, as a foreigner, I didn't fully know what to expect, but it turned out to be a day full of surprises, a lot of food, and some major culture shocks!
The morning was a bit of a scramble. We had just returned from a trip to Cebu City the night before. I had worked until about 3:20 AM and only managed three hours of sleep before getting up at 7:00 AM. Jessa was up early too, prepping food. We were running about an hour late, but I’ve learned that "Philippine Time" is a real thing. When we arrived, nothing had even started yet, and we weren't even the last ones there!
The event was centered around community and sharing. It was essentially a potluck where everyone brings food to share. Jessa made some Bicol Express, and since we were short on time, we "cheated" a little by buying some extra meat from a local carinderia. We also brought a ton of lollipops for the kids (the ones you saw in the previous video!), plus yogurt and soda. I did notice some people eating their own food and then diving into the shared food without contributing much, which I thought was a bit rude, but most people were incredibly generous.
The food was incredible! Someone made a chicken with red sauce that was absolutely out of this world, and the Siomai was perfectly spicy. I didn't even get to try Jessa's food because I was too busy sampling everything else.
Between the meals, there was a full program of entertainment. There were kids performing, and what looked like a "Prom King and Queen" for each class. While I’m not sure I personally condone those types of "popularity" contests in 2024, I respect the traditions. The speakers kept mentioning that the goal of the day was for parents and kids to build "unity" and "community." I have to say, I was a little confused by that—it was so loud, and the program was so packed that there was almost no time to actually talk to other parents!
Speaking of loud... There was one thing that shocked me to my core. Remember, Liam is in a Catholic school in a very Catholic country. Suddenly, over the speakers, they started blasting "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" and some very suggestive "booty music." My jaw literally hit the floor! In Norway, playing lyrics like that at a primary school event would have heads rolling. I’m not saying it’s right or wrong, but as a foreigner, seeing four-year-olds dancing to that in a religious school was definitely a "Welcome to the Philippines" moment for me.
Liam handled it okay, though, like his dad, he gets a bit stressed out by loud music and big crowds. He was shy at first, but after he warmed up, he spent about 70% of the time running around and playing with the other kids. It was great "training" for him to be in that kind of social setting without any alcohol or smoking around.
Despite the lack of sleep and the "bikini music" shock, I had a really good time. It was a beautiful look into the local culture. The fun just never stops. Thanks for following along.
