They’re Only Seven Once
Why is the seventh birthday so important? I’ll never fully understand the why of it, and I decided to be quite and go along with.
It’s Mid September sitting at my kitchen, and those discussing the planned party are, 1 Great Grandmother, 2 Grandmothers, 1 Mother, 1 Grand Daughter (soon to be seven) Plus 1 Father, and not to be left out, me the Grandfather. (In the dining room and living room, were assorted Aunts, Uncles and cousins not involved in the planning, but voting present) I admire you folks, who are taking the time to learn the local language, yet once in awhile it’s a blessing to be ignorant of what’s being said, and believe me this was one of those times.
Chris (my son-in-law) feeling sorry for me, disappeared and returned with a frosty bottle of, San Magoo Beer. (You knew that was coming!) Then came the important part, the plans are set, all goes quiet, all brown eyes are peering into the blue eyes that my folks burdened me with, and for the first time that evening English was spoken and I was informed that my part was P24,500.00.
Now I knew why my beer was never empty, and I just agreed. The party was set for October 3rd (made sense, as it was the Childs birthday) the Sunday before the big event we must go to SM Mall in San Fernando. From my house in Bataan, it’s an hour drive. 9 am with my wife and I, birthday girl and her parents in the car, we’re on the way. In Lubou the traffic is very heavy and a truck hits my Honda on the rear left door and fender well, and sails off down the road.
Panic ensues, I’m instructed to race after the truck, and find a policeman, and to stop and inspect the damage. I just want to get out of this traffic and go to the mall. The truck is gone, the police have the day off (It was a Sunday) and I’ll check the car at the mall, as it was driving just fine. Why had I not followed all the great advice I’d received? The truck was long gone and if I had caught up with it the driver would deny, deny, and deny again. The police, if I could have found one would have keep me for an hours or more filling out paperwork, and answering questions that I could not answer. Like, what’s the name of the other driver? Who owned the truck, where was the truck purchased? I think you get the drill.
Now we’re at the mall, birthday presents in tow heading to my car, when my wife informs me my granddaughter was in a Barbie fashion show and would be done sometime after 2pm. I smile; I wait, because it’s what grandfathers do. Return trip to my house and a well deserved cold beer. Hitting 50 MPH, left front wheel hit a pothole the size of a crater on the moon, and blows the tire off the rim. Son-in-Law changes the tire, and at 6pm I’m safe at home. Cold beer at the ready!
The shopping at the mall P7, 000.00, the new tire P2, 700.00, bodywork and paint on the car P5, 500.00, then there’s the original cost of the party, the look in my granddaughters eyes the night of the party! Absolutely, positively priceless! I’d do it all again.
Hi Paul – You’re definitely stuck in grandfather-land.
I would have taken the truck swipe as an omen, handed the keys to the son-in-law, left the immediate presence of all concerned, and sought out that magic elixer which wonderfully makes all that stuff go away (a trip to the “SMB” Mall, if you will!).
Then, again, I t’ain’t no grandfather (fur ez I kno!).
Hi Paul;
Yes, Grandfather land is a pretty nice place. The cost of living there is high, but the perks make up for it. I like your idea of an SMB Mall. You forever impress me.
$863 U.S. (incl. tire, fender, etc.) for a 7-year-old’s party that (hopefully) she’ll remember forever.
I’d say that’s a bargain. Not to mention all the good will and favor you managed to purchase. I’ll have to add this to the expected budget. (Not sure yet how many 7 yo birthdays I’ll get to finance yet, though.)
File under “miscellaneous anticipated expenses”.
Thanks for the story, Paul. You are teaching me the most important thing about living in the Philippines is to smile a lot, and have a San Miguel ready.
Hello Spencer;
Thanks for letting me for the first time see the amount in dollars! (LOL) That little girl makes me smile 24-7 and prevents me from becoming a Grumpy Old Man. The beer helps a little.
Well Paul it is good to see that no matter where you are, things like birthdays are the same. Keep this up Paul and you will make sainthood soon. Thanks for the story.
Hi Edward;
I’d never get past St. Peter, let alone Sainthood. The one thing not clearly understood by me is, why is the 7th birthday such a big deal? The first six were fairly normal.
Don’t count on it, Gary. Even birthdays are different here. For adults, if it is your birthday, you are expected to take your friends out for lunch or something of the sort, and the birthday celebrant pays for everybody else!
Edward;
I was just thinking about Sainthood, and it reminded me of a line in a country song “Everybody wants to go to heaven, but they don’t wanna’ go now” I feel the same about Sainthood, I’ll take it, just not soon.
Bob;
I like that birthday idea. Can I send the bill to my granddaughter??? LOL
Excellent story, Paul. You may recall I had a popular writeup back when my oldest nephew turned 4 last year … he and I shared a”real” Jolibee party and it wasn’t quite as expensive as yours but I feel the memories are as precious.
In Japan becoming seven is a really, really big deal, the last of the special series of 3-5-7. During these special birthdays, Japanese children participate in the upcoming Shichi-go-san Festival (meaning the “Seven-Five-Three” Festival) and for a little girl the kimono bill will be about the same as your total … once again, it’s better in the Philippines
May I suggest you make your future SM trips to SM Clark … easy on via your own special ramp there in DinBat, easy off at the Clark South exit, drops you almost in the parking lot of Sm Clark. I go to Zambales a _lot_ more often now that the SCTEX is operating … safer and much less frustrating the the old road to San Fernado, Pampanga.
Hi Dave;
You are so right about taking the highway to Clark. I was out voted by, Wife, Daughter, and Granddaughter. Chris, my son-in-law and I just both at the same time, scratched our heads, and sallied forth to San Fernando.
(I did have a sly smile at the mall while looking at the damage to my car. But said nothing.)
Hi Paul,
I think age seven is just supertitious belief like Lucky Seven. It is also a new phase being a kid not a toddler but more on the “Lucky Seven”
You are one lucky guy to have those families around. They are also lucky to have you!!
Toting
Hi Toting;
Thank you for that most pleasant complement, Lucky “7” you say, I’ll remember that. Thanks again.
sssooo…if 7 is a lucky birthday ..then the 7th beer must be the lucky bottle to reach….but bummer….beer comes in 6 pks…so golly gee wiz I guess you’ll have to by 2 six paks to get the 7th beer, which means the remaining 5 after the 7th were invited to so ….cheers..bottoms up !!!!
Brian;
Beer still comes in six packs? I thought only in multiple cases. 1st beer or 24th their all lucky to me.
You know, Paul – I don’t recall ever seening a six pack in the Philippines. I don’t think they have them here. It’s either you buy singles, or a case! Of course, a case would be the way to go, right?
Hi Bob;
I dare say you’re right, and I know, someone will write in and correct us if we’re wrong. BTW, I was pleased to read about your award. Great news!!!!
This ain’t a correction but an observation – I’ve found lots of luck at the bottom of the 7th case.
Hi, Paul, as to what significance the seventh birthday in Philippine culture is, the internet doesn’t seem to have an answer for it. I personally do not know what the symbolisms are for the 7th, but I do know that Filipinos who can afford it go all-out for their kids’ birthdays. An ostentatious Filipino neighbor of mine back in Clinton, Maryland, had his son’s 5th birthday sit-down dinner held at a hotel ballroom in Arlington, VA, complete with a live band! It was like a wedding reception. Why don’t you just ask your in-laws what it all means, and tell us about it. Many of us would probably be interested to know the wherefores as another addition to their knowledge of Filipino culture.
John;
I’ll be going to the farm in Subic Valley over the weekend, and I will ask the why’s of the 7th Birthday. I’ll have my daughter write down the answers as the beer will flow while I’m there. Check the first of the week here and I will inform all of what I found.
Now ( LOL) I have always got a laugh out of the expression “Live Band” for, what is the alternative? Am I wrong?
Hahaha, around here, when you are planning a wedding reception, you are asked by the wedding planner whether you want a DJ or a “live band”. To hire a live band is, of course, a lot more expensive than a DJ.
John;
I can only assume that the DJ will be live also. (LOL)
I forgot to thank you for that great idea to investigate “the whys of the 7th Birthday”.
You’re welcome, Paul. Good night, everyone.
hi paul,
The 7th b-day is celebrated because during the Spanish era, many Filipino children die before they reach 7 due to disease/illness, in those days malaria,diphtheria and polio are the widespread diseases, until this day many Filipino believes that when a child survive the 7th year the child is “somewhat” free from sickness.
btw, my aunt died when she was 6 years old (diphtheria).
Hi Dans;
Your reasons for the 7th being so special make the most sense of all I’ve heard so far. Thank you for that input and I search for more info. The Spanish gave the very same gifts to North, Central and South America as well, lest we forget the Caribbean Region.
Sounds like a nightmare ah, my dad would throw a fit (and he’s filipino) shout at the police and curse the driver. I remember the last time we had an accident, was a wasted day. The tow company tried to double the charge, the policeman was nice but so slow and my mom and dad was so angry. Sigh.
Hehe San Miguel beer..
Hello Ana;
Wow sounds like your family had some bad luck with that accident. My damage was very slight and a day spent with my granddaughter keeps me in good temper and smiling.
A long time ago a girlfriend of mine took my new Lincoln Town car for the day, got into a fender bender. When she opened the Dash Pocket for the cars papers, she found an envelope also. Inside it said “You’re reading this, so your fine, the car is well insured and will be fixed. Hurry home!” Fix it or buy a new one, people are more important, don’t you agree?
Hi Paul,
I got off easy for Kient 7 year old party because the party cost around 10,000 peso. Wait till your grandaughter turns 18. I hear that is ever a bigger celebration for girls.
Here is a link to a video of Kient’s party. He is the gwapo boy in the blue polo. I enjoy watching and seeing the joy in the children eyes.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26277828@N03/3665969532/in/photostream/
Hi Jack;
I know you’re right about that, but I think my two daughters were 16 when they had their two wallet busting parties. I’ll start putting money away now! When she was born (my granddaughter) my eldest girl (her mother)asked me to give the baby her name. That was the highest Horner I’ve ever received. Being of Irish decent I named her Heather Colleen. In school all her classmates and teachers love her name. I will check out the video today of your Poge son!
Hey Jack, please help me out, and explain your wife’s family’s reasons why the 7th is so important, Could you please? (I said please twice, ok three times now LOL)
Hi Paul,
Very funny. Hindi ko alam. I am trying to figure out why only 7 & 18 are big party years. The way Philippine people love to party I would think there would be a couple more big celebrations.
Juramie threw a birthday party for JJ (she turned 3). I saw pictures yesterday and was moved to see some of the poorer children in Tagbubunga getting a good meal. On another note, I am planning a big birthday party for Juramie at a nice resort (who turns … oops, i can’t write that) when I visit her in November. We are planning on 75 friends and family to attend. Wish me luck.
Jack;
Happy birthday to your Lady! Enjoy the party! May a good time be had by all.
Hello Paul,
Another great article,you have a lot of patience, or is it you are just wiser to keep such an open mind, and “closed mouth”..lol.
Take care, and look forward to your next adventure!
Danny
Hi Danny;
Ship’s move slow and teach patience, so I’m glad to say that after 30years on ship’s I did learned something. A wiser man than me once said; “All things come to he who waits.” Or was that in a fortune Cookie? And a Great Naval leader once said; “Hurry up, and wait.”
In my youth, a closed mouth would have aided me well, as I grew older I learned to temper myself, and only go “Postal” once in a while. (LOL)
Here’s the list of reasons I could glean;
1. Because of the Spanish bringing disease to the Islands, and a baby was considered lucky to reach age 7. (High Infant Mortality)
2. Seven is a lucky number (only if it comes up on the first roll)
3. Religion, the age of First Holy Communion or Confirmation
4. The age of responsibly
5. Becoming an individual
6. First Coming Out party (for girls I assume, for we know boys would rather have a game boy)
7. We have no idea (one that I’m quickest to believe )
8. Too busy to respond, sure wasted my time using the forum (Mike excluded)