A Girl’s Notebook :)

I took a photo of Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight. Well, almost everybody went ga-ga when Twilight movie was released. Even copies of books from different bookstores became out of stock and hit the spot of being a bestseller.

In the office, almost everyone is reading a pdf copy of the series. Well, to be honest, I have not seen the movie nor read the book. I don’t know maybe I am not interested or really not my type of story.  I am not sure whether Edward even give Bella one of the nicest engagement rings ever or not.

Well, when I read what New York Times says about Twilight, I somehow got interested and might spend time reading it. Aside from that, I’d like to own a complete set of the series.

I have been working on this post for a couple of days now. I have been busy at work lately, that’s why I wasn’t able to finish this one. Well, I got the time now to work on this post. Hope you’ll enjoy reading through it.

Anting-anting is a Filipino vernacular name for amulet, talisman or charm. A lot of movies and documentaries have been produced about Anting-anting. There are different types of anting-anting. One of those is anting-anting as love charm. I remember my paternal aunts used to tell us that my father has the bato ng rosal. It is a charm used to attract women.

Most amulets or anting-anting are used for protection against the forces of darkness, against one’s enemies, and even against sickness. Others are for special gifts, such as the mysterious and esoteric art of Hilot (massage and healing), Hula (fortune telling) and Kulam (spells and witchcraft).

Well, I have seen anting-anting being sold at Quiapo, Manila and I have heard stories about it from my relatives in the province. I brought about this topic because of my paternal grandmother. She’s already 90+ years old. My aunt who takes care of her said that she’s too skinny already and she tells her children that she’s tired.

My aunts asked my grandmother if she has one. She said she has none. Old folks said that during the old times, grandparents don’t tell their grandchildren or their children if a certain anting will be passed on to them. So, my aunts think that my grandmother possesses one, she just doesn’t know it.

My Aunt Lyn said that she knows someone who can tell if a person has an anting. But then, in my grandmother’s case, if ever she has really has one, and it will be removed, then it may cause her death.

My other aunt, who is a Catholic Catechist, doesn’t really believe in charms or amulets. She said, it is God’s will why their mother’s life is that long. She said that God has a purpose of giving her a long life.

My cousin’s point though is that, since my aunt doesn’t believe in charms then, there’s nothing wrong if we’ll have someone check on my grandmother.

The problem is what if she has one? What if we found out that she possesses certain “anting”?

Yesterday’s gospel is about God’s healing love for us. I was really touched during the homily. I remembered my deceased father who died of cancer. And my old grandmother. The priest said that because of our sins, we experienced sadness, being ill and then die. I remembered my father when he was struggling with his cancer. Being the eldest daughter in the family, I took care of everything. Like me, my father was hard headed. Maybe because he still want to live. St. Luke’s Hospital doctors advised us to bring my father home for there’s nothing they can do. It’s up to God if He will grant my father’s life an “extension”. I prayed hard to God during that time. Before my father died, I asked him to surrender to God his life. I assured him that I will take care of my mother, my 2 younger sisters and my little girl and he has nothing to worry about. So, if he wanted to rest, then we’re letting him go.

I was teary eyed during the homily, I told myself that even if papa and I had a fight 2 days before he died, I know that I did my part as daughter and up to this day, I am still keeping my promise to him that I will take care of our family. Except for the fence installation, that he once planned to do for my daughter’s safety.

Then I remember my grandmother. She is old and sometimes she even asked her children to give her poison so she can end her life. Then I remember this “anting anting” that my grandmother apparently, possesses. The priest said during his homily, that God has a purpose why those elderly are still living. I reflected that, my paternal grandmother still lives for us to love her and for her to inspire us. It may be difficult though for my aunt Josie to take care of her, but then, even a single thought of ending her life is sinful. Whether she has anting anting or not, I guess, the best way to help her in her situation right now is to pray for her and love her.

Hopefully, I will have extra money next week and I will definitely pay her a visit.