Christianity
Traditionally, godparents were informally responsible for ensuring the child's religious education was carried out, and for caring for the child should they be orphaned. Today, the word "godparent" might not have explicitly religious overtones. The modern view of a godparent tends to be an individual chosen
by the parents to take an interest in the child's upbringing and personal development.
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godparents
Yes, I am already a Ninang/godmother. I have three who are my godchildren and one is my confirmation-kid. She chose me to be her sponsor. My three inaanaks are related to me. My only godson is my cousin and the other two, are my nieces - daughter of my cousins.
But on October 4, 2009 it was my first time to attend a seminar, a seminar before the child gets baptised. The other two, someone replaced me, a "proxy". It was really interesting, kinda boring - but I had to attend that. It was pretty much like a religion class back in high-school. For the philippines being very religious in school, actually it's not necessary to have this kind of seminar anymore but there's nothing wrong in refreshing our minds and knowledge about GOD. It was pretty exciting because the whole seminar was held in tagalog, me I had no problem with that, but for my brother it was pretty useless for him. He didn't understand everything but he pretended. Good thing, he knows what his duties as a Ninong are.
When I was younger, when I had my first Godchild I thought being a Ninang is pretty cool and you have your "special" kid. Give him gifts everytime you meet, treat him and buy him every now and then what he wants. Well since my first godchild lives in the Philippines I don't get to talk/see him as often as I want. Everytime my mom or I fly to the Philippines I buy him a little something. But now, being more mature, I already know what my duties are as a Ninang. Guide my child in the word of God and protect them from the bad. And as much as I can I take care of the kid. I am kinda the second mother to them, sounds weird, but that's the whole idea of being a ninang. The parents choose the godparents of their child, so when they are not here anymore, they can "live in the other world" peacefully. Their children are in good hands. I hope I can meet the expectations of my cousins and my tita for choosing me being the godmother of their child. I think it is pretty exciting to be a Ninang. It feels good to hear someone call you "Ninang Kim" or "Ninang". It is pretty new in my ears, but I'll get used to that. It is also something different when my inaanaks makes bless, and I say kawaan ka ng dyos. =) Even though a lot of younger people wouldn't allow their godchild to make bless because they say that is old fashioned or it makes you old. Even some parents say that, but I honestly don't care. That's the very first thing a child needs to learn and know - how to pay respect to the elder people, to your ninangs and ninongs. They wouldn't know if you didn't tell/force them at first to do it. It comes with time, after a while they do it automatically, they come to you and will make bless.
Anyhow, there must be a reason why my cousin chose me, maybe because I am abroad and a money-giver. Haha! That's what they think! Or maybe because I am their favourite cousin, I don't know! But it means a lot to me. My two nieces even got their names from me! Out of all the cousins, titas and titos, they chose me to give their child a name. So they are extra special :)
My only prayer is that they my inaanaks will be good children and I hope I can master my job being a Ninang. I hope I don't disappoint them. But they should know now that I can't shower them with money, but for sure being there when they need someone to talk to, or when they need someone who argues with the parents. But I'll talk to them in a different way, after arguing with the parents. The parents know it better, sometimes. But for the little things in life I'll be there. Haha!
Nethanya Jhaelyn Anne A.; Lee Maruel A.G. and Myshia Jasiel A.
Much love, Ninang Kim ♥
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