LAST Saturday, I achieved another milestone. I became a Ninong for the first time. No, not for baptism nor for confirmation. I have more than my fair share as Ninong for these. This time, it’s for a wedding. My first time is the wedding of a cousin’s daughter.
Although I am unmarried and technically, I cannot, my niece insisted and I gave in justifying that the best pieces of advice in relationships are the single ones, agree? And, I guess I am at that age already. The age that people think that I am mature enough to be a ninong sa kasal.
At first, I hesitated whether to accept it or not. Honestly, it was more of resisting than hesitating to what being ninong sa kasal connotes, rather than the responsibilities that go with the “title.” When one is asked to be their ninong on their wedding day, it means that one has reached a very mature age to qualify as one.
It is believed that it is bad luck to turn down an invitation to be a ninong. Of course, this is just a superstition, an old wives tale, but many become ninong just to avoid the bad luck, not really keeping in mind the role that’s needed to be played.
The ride going to and coming from Santol, La Union afforded me time to reflect. Why are there some people who are more inclined to be invited as a ninong than others?
The way people make a decision on who to invite as their godparents follow the basics of the Rational Choice Theory. This theory states that individuals always make prudent and logic decisions based on which will provide them the most utility. Utility is a measure of satisfaction.
The choices, therefore, are very subjective, as they are based on an individual’s biases. So when choosing godparents, what could be their wants or needs that they want to satisfy leading them to their choices?
One is the desire for prominence or popularity. That is why politicos, Mayors, Governors, qqqqq, etc. are invited because the individual (or couple) thinks that it will gain them higher status. Just on the invitation alone, these names are at the top of the list so that if one reads it, one would be impressed right away. More often than not, these politicos do not attend the ceremonies.
Another is material or financial need. I have attended weddings in our home province where godparents are given safety pins for them to use during the reception. It is during the couple’s first dance during the reception that they are going to use them to pin the paper money onto the clothes or gown of the couple. Having godparents that are well-to-do can definitely satisfy this need.
Finally, the supposedly real need of godchildren, the spiritual need. They invite ninongs because they feel that the ninong (or ninang) can be able to satisfy their need for guidance, being so-called, second parents.
Having a good combination of these needs (and other needs that may be considered) being met would of course, result to higher utility benefitting the individual or couple more.
Incidentally, also on the evening of that day, a group of young gentlemen celebrated their fifth anniversary as a choir. The Korro has become from a playful bunch of adolescents to a serious vocal group.
Half of the members are my godsons for their Confirmation, the rest have adapted calling me, ninong as well. Nonetheless, they are all like sons to me anyway. I just want to congratulate Ged, King, Francis, Kevin Lois, Reymark, Jess and the other two (sorry, senior moments, I totally forgot your names, bawi ako) on the fifth anniversary of Korro and for their job well done. You make me proud!