This Arts section will feature expressions of beauty in varied mediums. Its value cannot be underestimated when it comes to its stress-reduction effect and benefits.
The Culture section features diversity among our midst. The workplace and the society we live in has become a colorful mosaic of varied cultures around the world. However diverse it is, there is unity and harmony because men are social beings with a common feeling and single language of love: Caring.
A Muslim youth reads Qur'an at age 7Ramadan: The Holiest Month of the Qur’an amongst Islam
By: Myrna D. Santos, RN
Facts:
· Islam is a continuation of the religion of Abraham, Moses and Jesus.
· Qur’an is the Islamic Bible and the “most read book in the world” because it is a book that is so often read, re-read and memorized, and all in its original language, Arabic.
· Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an. It is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar that begins with the sighting of the new moon.
A Month of Fasting
Ramadan is celebrated with a month-long fasting to inculcate “self-discipline, self-restraint and generosity”. “Fasting is an act of deep personal worship to God in which Muslims seek to raise their level of God-consciousness. The act of fasting redirects the heart away from worldly activities and towards the remembrance of God. It is a time of spiritual reflection, prayer and good deeds.”
All physically mature and healthy Muslims are obliged to fast between dawn and sunset, when they abstain from all food, drink and any kind of sexual contact. Fasting is the third of the Five Pillars of Islam.
Purity of thought and action are emphasized while fasting.
Nurses in Arts:"Nurtists"Nurses in Arts
It is heartwarming to know that there is a growing number of nurses getting into another world: Arts. We will call these nurse artists as “nurtists”. We will present them here with their works and passion for the arts. Whether they are doing nursing or expressing and creating their arts, the bottom line is the interplay of both human emotion which is kindness and caring expressed beautifully in their chosen mediums.
Shown from left to right: Ruben Lee (Videography/Film Making), Potri Ranka Manis (Theater)and Marietta Ganapin (Artist), taken at the Gala Night of Arteon at the La MaMa E.T.C. Gallery on May 21,2010.
Courtesy of myRNphotoimagesA nurse in search of the role of ancestral arts and culture in healing
Pandibulan (bathing by moonlight)
By Potri Ranka Manis, MA, RN
A Nurse Artist conceives, choreographs and directs Pandibulan (bathing by moonlight), a cultural presentation featuring dances, music, and folktales from the Yakan people of Southern Philippines.
The story evolves on a woman from the southern Philippines, working as a caregiver in New York, rekindles her strength of spirit through the folklore and lifecycle rituals of the Yakan people of Basilan Island. Tales of her ancestors, stories of the sea, dazzling dreams of dragons that swallow the moon and magical struggles for the earth and sky at once sustain her and make her nostalgic for her village and home. There is a unique interweaving of tradition with the contemporary issues of modern life for a caregiver with her feet on two continents.
Potri Ranka Manis is a literary genius, artist, and foremost a nurse who have served for over 30 years, a portrait of a knight and hero, a Modern Nightingale. She has recently obtained a Masters degree in nursing. She continually explores through qualitative searches on the role of ancestral arts and culture in the science and art of healing.
And yes, indeed, it has been based on evidence that in nursing, culture matters.
Photo by Steven Castro
Christian Living
The Christening of Tovi
Tovi is an American tot of Filipino heritage who is very lucky to be growing up in a nurse's home. His grandmother, Cindy Margalit, and his parents, Jeffrey and Pam Medida, are all nurses.
Beginning a Christian life in the Roman Catholic Church starts with Baptismal rites as the sacrament of baptism is bestowed upon the child usually within the first days or months after birth. Among Catholics, baptism is a celebration, a gathering with friends and family celebrating with a feast.
Tovi’s baptism is not an ordinary party, but a reunion and celebration of a family. They came from all parts of the world to celebrate the blessed day. The traditional rites were held at Our Lady of Pity Church in Staten Island, NY and the reception was held at the Old Bermuda Inn on Veterans Road.
The celebration continued with prayers, lighting of candles, and other festivities that I have not seen any time in my half-century as a Catholic. It was light yet solemn, centuries-old tradition alive in modern times.
Welcome to Christianity,Thomas Vincent "Tovi" Medida. God Bless.
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