Siesta is a short nap taken in the early afternoon, often after mid-day lunch meal. This tradition is mostly an influence from our Spanish Colonizers which the word is derived from Sixta Hora or the 6th Hour of the day. As early Filipino woke up most likely before the sunrise and lunch time which is the 6th hours from the rising of the sun. When growing up as Pinoy Kid, we have been told a story about Juan Tamad or Lazy Juan which our Spanish Colonizers depiction to a common Filipino. And aside from Nap Time, there are many make up stories, that our mother’s told us as a kid why we should take a nap after meal. Common mothers would encourage their children to take a nap after lunch meal so that children will not go out of their home to play on the Street. Nap time for Children allows mothers to continue doing their household chores also to give time for themselves to relax and care for themselves.
Out of this practice, a make story about an engkanto that is known as Taong Araw which is a very bright white complexion that sucks of life force from the persons they meet on the street during noon time, especially children. Other benefit of Siesta that is not scary is that it helps a Child to grow faster. But having Siesta in our Class is not that we teach laziness to our students, but instead we intend to immerse our students/participants to Filipino Culture and instill the value of rest as part of healing process.
According to studies, Siesta has been associated to the 37% reduction of Coronary mortality posibly due to reduced cardiovascular stress mediated by daytime sleep. And aside from its health benefits, we want to provide our students “Me Time” on which they can prepare themselves for the afternoon class and be able to digest not only food they eat but also the morning lessons we provide unto them.
So, when you attend to our stay in class, expect there will a nap time in our Classroom as we prepare banig and unan for everyone.
Hilot Academy of Binabaylan 