PARTY & CELEBRATION

Celebrating The Birth Of Your Newborn

Our topic for today is baptism in the Philippines and how we celebrate it. A newborn baby is a very important gift to a family. This is because this tiny little being symbolizes the strong love of both parents. And because of cultural traditions, welcoming the baby into the world is a significant event to prepare for Filipinos.

Baptism is very important to the Filipino culture. Since the greatest number of the population is devoted to Roman Catholicism, the christening of a newborn child has been an essential part not only to the tradition but to the baby’s being as a whole in the future.

To celebrate this one of a kind event, there are few important things to remember. Here are some of them:

1. Take note on the schedule. Churches have various schedules for baptismal events. It is better to register a month or even at least three weeks before the exact date. Upon registration, legal documents should be presented such as birth certificate of the child and marriage contract of the parents. This can be either photocopied or original depending on what the church requires. Then the registration form must also be filled up honestly. Some churches require some fees depending on the number of sponsors.
2. Pick out the best sponsors. The number of godfathers and godmothers does not need to be a lot. Pick those that are closest to the family. Some parishes limit the number of sponsors to preserve the solemnity of the event.
3. Attend seminars. Commonly, churches require both the parents and the sponsors to attend a baptismal seminar. This is to educate them on the prospects of upbringing the child. As parents, they have the biggest responsibilities in nurturing the child’s development and guide him or her to his or her own path. As godfathers and godmothers, looking out for the child and supporting her in every step he or she makes are their obligations. These things are tackled during seminar sessions.
4. Organize the event properly. Invitations should be properly distributed, and must contain all the details for the ceremony, including the proper dress code. Some parishes are very strict about this aspect.
5. Choose a budget-friendly reception. If parents are in a tight budget, there are many restaurants or venues that offer packages for baptismal events. They just have to make sure that the place can accommodate all guests comfortably. There may be instances that the number of invitees will exceed, so being mindful of the costs is also an important thing. The souvenirs can also be handmade or can be bought at shops that offer great customization deals.

Having a baby is one of the best blessings a family can have and welcoming a sweet little child in this world will mark the start of his or her beautiful journey of life.