Recently we visited our friends in Silang to join the blessing of their new house. I know the blessing is an important ceremony, in other Asian countries its a tradition too. Even carblessing is done in temples, in Japan e.g.
We were requested to be there around lunchtime. Lunchtime is 12 noon, so we came in 15 minutes later, and expected to be the first guests. All according to Philippine timing. But we got it wrong this time. The ceremony was already in full swing. And it took much less time than i anticipated, actually I even forgot to take some pictures. The photo's in this message were 'stolen' from the internet. (apologies to the maker).

We just got in time to catch some blessed coins that were thrown by the priest, but I stopped quickly as I found out only kids were joining me in collecting the silver. Then the family members were blessed. And after the priest got his doggy-bag, he disappeared from the stage.

The main activity on blessing day are: food and drinks. Amazing how much the hosts prepared for the buffet. And it was goooooood! Some of the other guests were expats and retired folks from US, Canada, England. The owner of the house came from "Down Under"

It's always useful to talk to experienced immigrants, they know where to go and where to buy. I got lots of new places to visit, to get the best sausages, beef or brandy. Not to mention all the mega-stores for the new house's ingredients: tiles, hollow blocks, doors, bathroom accessories, and  more.

Meanwhile the buffet remained popular, and at the end we all got our doggie bag, and we were personally driven home by the family's driver. Looking through the back window of the car, we had a last glimpse of the blessed house, now guaranteed free from evil ghosts and spirits. Free of spirits anyway, because we drank them all....