October 21, 2022
Edmund and I had Oyen and Nyke baptized when they were 2.5 months old. We didn’t want to bring them out of our house yet except to the pediatrician’s clinic until they had already been baptized. Siguro we were old-fashioned in that way. Iba na yata ang henerasyon ngayon. Maraming iniintay ang first birthday at kasabay na lang daw para isang effort.
For us, baptism is more important than throwing a big party for the baby’s first birthday. Of course, the first birthday is a milestone, and every birthday thereafter. But for practicing Catholics, baptism is very important. Birthdays come every year. Baptism is only once in the baby’s life.
The Sacrament of Baptism (also called Christening) is the religious ritual of pouring water onto the baby’s (or person’s) forehead or of immersion in water to symbolize purification and admission to the Christian Church. Traditionally baptism is accompanied by name-giving.
Edmund and I pushed for Theo’s Christening before his 5th month. We nagged (konti lang naman) Oyen to get this done. Oyen knew how important this religious rite was for us so she started planning for Theo’s baptism.
Yen ordered ahead of time Theo’s baptismal dress from Heirloom by Veluz. We chose a simpler one, not the traditional long dress. Baka kasi mainitan si Theo or makatihan.
Modern na siguro ngayon. Some people no longer give baptism a priority, kasabay na lang ng birthday parang isang handa. And others are too democratic, intayin na lang daw lumaki ang bata tapos sya na lang ang pumili kung anong religion ang gusto nya. Intayin nyong lumaki tapos depende na lang sa kanya kung gusto nyang lumipat ng religion. Ang importante lumaki sya na merong Dyos he believes in. It’s not always good to give your kid no boundaries and too much freedom.
According to the religious doctrine, parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love, respect, and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God, and to be law-abiding citizens.
God as Theo’s rock will help him tread a path of love, compassion, and kindness.
When we arrived he was already in a bad mood while waiting outside the chapel maybe from the humidity, noise, and being in a strange place. I took him from his mom when I saw him about to cry. I looked for a quieter spot to calm him down. Pero walang mapwestuhan na tahimik at presko. Mainit talaga kaya nakasimangot na.
My printed dress is by Sugarbird from Hungary. I bought it from their store in Westend Shopping Mall in Budapest. Part of the proceeds of the sale goes to the UN Foundation. Ang hirap maghanap ng damit pag malaki ang bewang. Size large na ako ngayon.
Only thirty minutes maximum Christening rites and photo ops inside the airconditioned baptistery was allowed.
I gave him back to his mom when the priest arrived. The stage lola took a back seat and assumed a paparazzi role.
He smells so good. His lola doesn’t kiss him. I sniff him like a dog.
He looks bigger in this photo. He’s 4.5 months here.
The ninongs and ninangs
He was crying and crying even after the binyag. They moved to the church to have more photos taken. After that, I took over and carried him to the car. Lolo Edmund and I were on the same page. He moved our SUV closer to the church door and turned on the aircon in anticipation that his apo would be needing a cold and quiet place. Good job lolo.
Once in the car, he fell asleep on my lap. Edmund drove around for 25 minutes to let Theo get some good sleep before proceeding to the baptismal party.
