baby shane’s initiation rites

For three straight days, the Arellano compound reverberated with joyous glee in preparation and celebration of Pauleen Shane’s baptism.  It was a “bayanihan” effort on the paternal and maternal relatives as well as friends so as to make baby Shane’s initiation to the Roman Catholic Church memorable.

Aunts and Uncles toiled overnight to make hasty arrangements for Sunday noon’s “salo-salo” following the celebration of the first Catholic Sacrament.

Like me, other compound tenants were not able to do their weekend laundry because the area dedicated to such home task was designated as the cooking (and drinking area) but, it was all worth it.  To be a part of such religious and traditional undertaking is in itself a pride and a belief-renewing experience.

Who would think that in the middle of a very urbanized place, in people’s hearts still burn the “bayanihan” spirit?  What could be more envigorating than a whole compound putting their works and worries aside to join in the baptism festivities of a baby catholic?

It was as if life itself paused for a moment to help pave the Catholic road for a young lady.

By grace, baby Shane’s baptism removed the guilt and effects of Adam and Eve’s fall and incorporated her to Christ’s Body on earth.

From here, she still has a life-long pledge to finish the other six sacraments which are Confirmation, Holy Communion, Confession, Marriage, Holy Orders, and the Anointing of the Sick.

On the other hand, the “bayanihan” efforts of her clan and neighbors profess their willingness to help raise and nurture this child.  At the child’s early age, she has been a medium of unity for her family and friends by bringing them together at this once in a lifetime wondrous occasion.

May they (me included!  ehehe) continue to be there as the child cocoons out to become a beautiful butterfly of a Catholic woman.

To the baby’s parents, Buboy and Shiela, congatulations for having your youngest princess be born again by being immersed in water in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.