Every 4th monday of September was declared as National Family day known as The “FaMEALy Day” with its rationale as follows:Through the untiring efforts of Lucky Me!, the first National FaMEALy Day – Araw ng Pagkilala na Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga was launched in 2008. FaMEALy Day became a nationwide call to celebrate family dining every 4th Monday of September as supported through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed between the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the National Committee for Filipino Families (NCFF). Last September 30, 2009, Presidential Proclamation 1895 was issued declaring the commemoration of the Filipino Family Day every 4 th Monday of September. Coincidentally, National FaMEALy Day coincides with the first day of DSWD’s National Family Week.This is a very good call for all Filipinos, as we are very well known to be a very close-knit family, who just can't get enough of family celebrations. This is also a venue for every Filipino family to rekindle ties or just be plain updated with each family member. Let's face it, with the fast track kind of life we live in, most families can't even dine together much more pray together.
As to my own opinion, why wait for the National Family Day to have dinner together? Di nga ba't isa ito sa ating kinalakihan na dapat ay lahat present sa hapag-kainan tuwing oras ng pananghalian o hapunan? Nakakalungkot isipin na sa panahon ngaun ay nawawala na esensya ng pagiging isang pamilya. Hindi komo may kanya kanya na tayong buhay ay may kanya kanya na rin tayo ng oras ng pagkain. OO nga at, bawat isa ay may kanikanyang mahahalagang gawain at lakad na dapat tugunan, ngunit hindi nga ba't lahat ng ating ginagawa ay para sa ating ikauunlad at sa ating pamilya? Hindi natin dapat kalimutan na ang simula ng lahat at ginagawa natin ang lahat para sa ating pamilya, higit sa kaninuman pa. Not for your boss, for your friend, not for your lover, your peers, but definitely for your family.
While I was growing up, I distinctly remember that even if we have different school schedules at home and both of my parents are working and that we were never able to have breakfast or lunch together, we see to it that everybody is present for dinner. I can fondly remember, our neighbors used to say, "Hapunan na sa mga Calipes". I was really wondering what they meant by that when one of them told that to me jokingly. They would say, "Alam na alam namin pag dinner nyo na eh!". And then I realize that dinner time is the noisiest time of the day in our household. It is our time to bond and tell stories as to what happened to us during the day. That is also the time where we get snips of wisdom from our parents. No matter how busy they are, both of them are at home by dinner. My mom would usually conjure up a very savory dish or (sometimes just plain pritong talong and alamang would do), but the atmosphere around the table would be the same. No matter what is on for dinner, we share it and attack it with gusto along with the stories of the day. Now that I have my own family, I see to it as well that everybody is present for dinner, no matter how tired I am, I make sure that I prepare every meal with TLC. That is my secret recipe. My kids would always tell me, "Mama, ang sarap ng luto mo! Ano nilagay mo dito?" Then I would just say, "TLC!" Even if it is just fried or a very sumptuous meal, always cook with TLC.
What is TLC? Tender Loving Care. Show our love ones how we love them dearly in any way we can. It need not be an expensive gift or an out of town to show them we care. Sharing a good meal with TLC and stories of the day is something that they would remember... even when they grow up. :-) Don't wait for the 4th monday of September, everyday should be FAmily Day, a celebration of LOVE :-)
Even as of this day that me and my sisters have our families, we still make it a point to have at least once a month (sometimes twice if we simply can't get enough lol) family day with our parents. But this time, we usually just bring our own food planned accordingly so as walang dobleng ulam or something. And again, the neighbors would know if we are complete because of the noise! hehehe...by the way, please feel free to leave a comment and share it to your wall or friends by clicking on the icon below (FB, Twitter, etc) Spread the LOVE!!!
(my mom and dad with their grandchildren in one of our family day's get together )
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