Sarimanok in the History House

Posted on the 13 November 2014 by Desiree Munoz @createpinoy
The office receives quite a varied lot of visitors. I like it. One day there'll be a stream of media people trying to get a statement about some controversial historical issues that (to my surprise) make it to mainstream news these days. Another day will be a beauty queen, most days are contractors of the on-going museum modernization that preoccupies most people at our department nowadays. On one occasion, a coworker was telling us how he saw a ghost-like shadow that reminded everyone of a recently departed colleague.
And today, just when I was finding it extra difficult to convince myself it's going to be a good day despite of a morning commute mishap, we received our first visitor of the day: A Sarimanok. Not so bad, eh?

Maranao Sarimanok

The sarimanok is often said to be the giant rooster which the Prophet Muhammad encountered in heaven but it actually relates to earlier, pre-Islamic beliefs. The Maranao people once believed that the sarimanok was a spirit medium which could communicate messages to its twin in the spirit world. Today, the bird has come to be celebrated as a symbol of the Maranao people and is often seen displayed at public events. Source: Land of the Morning: The Philippines and Its People. 2009. Asian Civilizations Museum, Singapore, p. 51.
A visitor whom I can ask kindly to send my love to my two grandmothers who are in the spirit world. Not a bad day at all.