Typical Filipino (XI) - Typisch Philippinisch (XI): Car Blessing - Autosegnung

 

By Andrea Nicole

It’s legitimate. Car blessing is a thing practiced here in the Philippines. Well, in other places around the globe actually, especially those believing in Christian or Catholic teachings. The Catholic Church even devoted a chapter on how to administer the blessing on inanimate objects that serve man’s needs. Found in the Roman Ritual (Rituale Romanum), ordinary things can receive liturgical blessings — bridges, wells, and yes, including cars.

What is a Car Blessing?

A blessing rite refers to a ceremonial act where a person of authority in church will offer a prayer to something or someone. In this case, a car. Usually, pastors, priests, or deacons handle this ceremony. House blessings might be more familiar to some, but car blessings work just the same way as the former.

In some practices, especially with the Catholics, cars are sprinkled with holy water. While others involve laying off hands as a physical act of blessing.

Why Do People Get Their Cars Blessed?

Custom or tradition: For some, it’s just something they were used to doing. Blessing ordinary items, for instance, might be normal for those who grew up with a religious family. Many believe that nothing bad will possibly come out of it. So, why not do it anyway?

A form of offering: Having the car blessed is one way of saying that the owner offers it to whoever eternal being one believes in. Besides, there is a notion that every blessing received comes from God. Therefore, it should be offered back to him as well. When the car is dedicated to God, it also becomes sacred as people believe.

A declaration of freedom: This is probably the most practical reason why people want their cars to be blessed. This is believed to cast away evil influences over the property. When a prayer is uttered, the people gathered agree in asking for the safety and protection of those who’ll use it. 

A declaration of success: The ceremony is also like claiming success for the car's intended purpose. May it be for personal transportation, business, or others.

[Photo Courtesy: Klaus Döring, Car blessing in Berlin 1988]

PEF, AUSTRALIA AND BUKIDNON LGU RELEASE PHILIPPINE EAGLE INTO THE WILD

 

By: Ian Ray Garcia, Davao City

On Earth Day 2021, a rescued and rehabilitated Philippine Eagle was released back to its forest home. Tagoyaman Fernando is among the seven Philippine Eagles that were rescued last year - the highest rescue rate recorded in the history of Philippine Eagle conservation - and the first to be released back to the wild this year. 

Tagoyaman’s release was made possible through the support of the Australian Government, Whitley Fund for Nature, Jurong Bird Park, DENR Region X, and the local government of San Fernando and Bukidnon. 

“Rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing Philippine Eagles in the middle of a pandemic is very challenging. It’s difficult to mobilize field operations when travel restrictions are imposed and sources of funds are shut down. Still, we are able to persevere, thanks to the support of the Australian Government and other conservation partners,” said Philippine Eagle Foundation executive director Dennis Salvador. 

The short program in honor of Tagoyaman’s release was attended by the Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Steven J. Robinson AO, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, San Fernando Vice Mayor Norberto Catalan, and Philippine Eagle Foundation trustee Francis Ledesma. 

“The Australian Embassy is proud to continue our support to the Philippine Eagle Foundation for the protection and preservation of the Philippine Eagle. |I travelled to Bukidnon to witness Tagoyaman’s release because it is an important milestone in the Philippines’ efforts in conserving local wildlife biodiversity. Australia stands with our friends in the Philippines as they protect their natural resources, in their lands or seas. This initiative reinforces our deep and expanding relationship as we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two countries,” Ambassador Robinson said. 

Tagoyaman was retrieved on October 2020 in San Fernando, Bukidnon, after getting accidentally caught in a native trap intended for other animals. The bird was then brought to the Philippine Eagle Center for further check-up and rehabilitation. 

“We hope to see Tagoyaman successfully breed and contribute to his species’ wild population in the future. His release on Earth Day is also our resounding call for long-term solutions to our problematic relationship with nature and wildlife. We believe that by conserving the Philippine Eagle and the biodiversity it represents, we can avoid another disease outbreak,” Salvador said. 

The PEF, through the support of its conservation partners has also taken measures for Tagoyaman’s survival in the wild. An education campaign targeting communities surrounding the release site was conducted and Indigenous forest guards were trained to perform voluntary forest patrols and monitor Tagoyaman’s movements using the GPS transmitter attached to its back, for the next six months. 

“Collaborations and partnerships play a big role in Philippine Eagle conservation. The PEF can’t save the eagles alone. We need the help of our local communities, government agencies, the private sector, and the Filipino people so that one day Philippine Eagles will thrive in the wild,” Salvador added.