Which city in Italy is the least expensive location to live?

Luca Accomazzi

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Lives in Italy 3y

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Which city in Italy is the least expensive location to live?

There’s many lists, so it vastly depends on who you ask, or rather on what you consider your priorities. What do you consider a “city”, for example? Most of the 100 or so Italian provincial capitals are about 50 to 100 thousand people each, is this your target?

Many foreigners when speaking of Italy automatically assume a seaside position, but that’s not a given. Or a historical place, which is often the case but not always — Latina, for example, was founded in 1932.

Also, I assume you want to live here as a pensioner? It’s a good idea if you have a bit of money saved and you can spend at least, say, one thousand euros per month per person: there’s lots of cozy and astounding places in the center and south of the country, like Potenza or Ancona or Bari, which are tied for the lowest prices.

A view over the rooftops of Potenza, 65 thousand inhabitants, regional capital of Basilicata.

Seaside view of Bari, 320 thousand people, proud capital city of the Apulia. The inhabitants are fond of saying that if Paris had a seaside it might be called a less glamorous version of Bari.

But if you are looking for a job the equation changes drastically, as you’d have much better chances in the north: look into Bologna, which is not es expensive as the cities in Lombardy, Veneto or Piedmont but just as rich.

If you have money to sink into buying a flat or house, Molise or Calabria are the best bets for real estate bargains, especially if you can be convinced to like a somewhat bucolic lifestyle. If you are looking to rebuild a house from the foundations up, there’s a few small towns which will sell you one of those for a symbolic price, as long as you promise to invest in renovation and live there. Go browse the municipal websites for Ollolai (Nuoro) or Nulvi (Sassari) if you are intrigued by Sardinia; or Montieri (Grosseto) if you are dreaming of Tuscany. But in all such cases you are resigning yourself to live in a village, not a city, and the closest city will likely be one hour by car.

Consoled by Fervent Preaching

November 22, 2024 Memorial of Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr Readings for Today Readings for Friday of the Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time

James Tissot, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Video And every day he was teaching in the temple area. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile, were seeking to put him to death, but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose because all the people were hanging on his words. Luke 19:47–48 Jesus had just entered Jerusalem for the upcoming Feast of Passover. He arrived in that holy city and then returned again the next day and entered the Temple area. As He witnessed the corruption of those selling animals for the Temple sacrifices, Jesus responded with fervent preaching in an attempt to cleanse the Temple from this corruption. He quoted the Prophet Isaiah and cried out, “It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.” Luke’s Gospel points out the reaction of the chief priests, the scribes and the leaders of the people. They were “seeking to put him to death.” However, as the Gospel further relates, “they could find no way to accomplish their purpose because all the people were hanging on his words.” It’s important to consider this passage within its context. The words that Jesus spoke were words that sought to cleanse the Temple of corruption. With the approval of the temple priests, who benefitted from the temple tax, there were many people who were using the practice of divine worship to make a profit for selfish gain, turning the Temple into a marketplace. Jesus could see this clearly, and many of the people would have also sensed the corruption of these practices. Though they needed to purchase animals for the ritual sacrifices and Passover meal, many of them were most likely disturbed by this abuse. Therefore, as Jesus spoke with fervor and condemnation, it angered those who were responsible for the corruption but left the people with consolation. Hence, they were “hanging on his words.” The Gospel is always consoling, and, for those who are open, it leads them to hang on every word that is spoken. It refreshes and invigorates, clarifies and motivates. Usually when we think of the Gospel, we think of words that are gentle and inviting—words of mercy to the sinner and compassion for those who are struggling. But sometimes the pure Gospel message from our Lord fiercely attacks sin and evil. And though this may be shocking to the evil doers, to those with pure faith, these words also refresh and strengthen. Today, we need the full Gospel message. Many need to hear Jesus’ gentle invitation to conversion by which their heavy burdens are lifted. But many others need to hear His firm words of condemnation. And the Church as a whole needs both of these messages to be proclaimed if we are to fully participate in the apostolic ministry of our Lord. Only our Lord has the right to condemn, chastise, and call others to repentance. But we are all called to share in this mission of our Lord. And though we do not have the right to judge the hearts of others, when we see objective evil and disorder within our world and even within our Church, we must cry out with our Lord, “My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.” And when we do hear the holy and inspired words of God’s messengers who boldly and courageously proclaim the truth and call others to repentance, it should inspire, invigorate and console us as we find ourselves hanging on their every word. Reflect, today, upon the Gospel messages that need to be preached in our day and age that are both inspired by God and are also fervently directed at corruption within the world and even within our Church. Allow yourself to support such holy preaching and to be inspired by it. Hang on these holy words of God’s prophets today. As you do, God will protect them and inspire them to continue His holy mission of purification. My purifying Lord, the corruption within our world, and at times even within our Church, requires Your holy preaching and purifying action. Please send Your messengers to those in need so that all may be cleansed as You cleansed the Temple. May I share in this mission in the ways in which You call me, and may I always hang on every word spoken from Your merciful and fervent heart of love. Jesus, I trust in You.

What are some Filipino traditions?

Patrick Dane Martinez

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Computer Engineer, INTJ, Occasional Social Butterfly 8y

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What are some Filipino traditions?

As a Filipino, I grew up during a period when a lot of the traditions of our elders are slowly starting to get left behind. Here are some of the notable traditions I personally grew up with, and some that we were acquainted with in school:

• Po and Opo
• The words “po” and “opo” are examples of Filipino words that don’t have direct English translations. These words are used when talking with the elderly, or with someone of higher rank (student talking to a teacher, employee talking to employer, etc.) to express respect. Opo, I believe, is actually a contraction of Oo po, Oo meaning “yes”, and po added to express politeness. The tradition of using these words is still alive until today.
• Bayanihan
• The word Bayanihan, as we were taught in school, came from the word “bayan” which is the Filipino word for a collective group of people living in a particular place such as a town or province. Long ago, when our ancestors lived in huts (kubo, in Filipino) and wanted to relocate, the townsmen would gather and literally lift the hut for the owners. This notion of bayanihan is now taken into modern times as the spirit of togetherness, or of helping each other out whether you know them or not.
• Panliligaw at Panghaharana (Courtship and Serenading)
• In the olden times, being a couple in the Philippines was a big deal. The man would have to prove himself worthy of the woman’s affection before any sort of intimate relationship (so much as holding each other’s hands) is permitted by the parents. This is done by offering services to the woman’s family, such as gathering firewood, fetching buckets of water, or running errands. This goes on for months, if not years. Nowadays, even though the process of courtship has been relatively simplified, it still is a custom for a man to court a woman he is trying to woo for several months before they engage in a mutual relationship.
• Panghaharana or serenading is actually related to the old Filipino tradition of courtship. During the days of my grandparents, courtship involves serenading the woman in front of their house at night.

(I do not own the image)

It is said that the woman is supposed to look out the window only after several nights of being serenaded by the man. It also seems that the man who is trying to woo the woman usually brings along some of his friends to play the guitar or any other accompanying instruments while he sings. Kundiman, or traditional Filipino songs that are characterized by poetic and sweet lyricism, were used during panghaharana.

• Pagmamano
• In English, the word pagmamano is usually translated as “blessing.” I don’t know how accurate of a translation it is, though, but I grew up being taught of it. It is the act of taking one of an elderly’s hand, face down, and leading it onto one’s forehead. Again, this is a gesture of respect and is done by people usually to express respect for the elderly when leaving or entering a household. It is also a common gesture for religious people to perform the gesture when meeting religious leaders such as nuns or priests.

(Again, I do not own the photo).

• Fiestas (Feasts)
• Fiestas in the Philippines actually rooted from the Catholic religion. These events are conducted for every town, province, or patron saint, during their “feast days”. You’ll know that a place is celebrating its feast when you see banderitas hanging about the streets. These feasts often include a lot of food that are contributed by the different households of the place and shared among everyone, as well as games of various kinds.

(Photo not mine.)

• Extended Families
• Filipinos are very tightly-knit with their families. So much so that it is acceptable (and fairly common, might I add) for wedded couples to live with their parents, or even including their grandparents, uncles and aunts, and great grandparents. I personally grew up in this setting so you could take it from me. “Moving out” isn’t really and immediate action after finishing high school (or college, because a lot of Filipinos finish college after High School). Personally, I stay with my mom even though I’m a full grown man, not that it’s customary but because it makes economical sense (for me, at least, since I get a lot of free stuff from my mom).

These are just some of the most common and notable traditions I know from the Filipino people. There are a LOT more, I believe, since Filipinos indeed have a rich set of cultures and traditions. It’s sad, though, that modern times didn’t allow for a lot of them to survive.

What are some Filipino proverbs or sayings?

Anonymous

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What are some Filipino proverbs or sayings?

These are my 15 favorites♡

• Strength is defeated by strategy.

Ang lakas ay daig ng paraan.

(Even a strong opponent can be defeated by a strategy that exploits its weaknesses.)

• In every forest, there is a snake.

Lahat ng gubat ay may ahas.

(Everywhere you go, there will be people who should not be trusted.)

• Speech is silver but silence is golden.

Pananalita'y pilak, ngunit ang katahimikan'y ginto.

(While eloquence is impressive, sometimes being a trustworthy person who is silent at the right times is more valuable.)

• Easier said than done.

Madaling sabihin, mahirap gawain.

(To say that you will do something takes very little energy. Actions are more difficult to accomplish.)

• Of what use is the grass when the horse is already dead.

Aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo.

(This is another way of saying that something is too little, too late.)

• Nobody who spits upward does not spit on his face.

Walang lumura sa langit na di sa kanyang mukha nagbalik.

(Those who disrespect others disrespect themselves.)

• Still waters run deep.

Kapag and dagat ay tahimik, asahan mo at malalim.

(Babbling brooks and white water rapids show motion on the surface of the water because there are rocks just beneath the surface. In contrast, a deep river will appear to have a more still surface. Similarly, people who appear very calm on the outside may have strong passions beneath the surface.)

• You cannot pull hair from the bald.

Wala kang masasabunot sa kalbo.

(You cannot draw blood from a stone. In other words, you expect a person to give something he or she does not have. This also applies to appealing to an emotion that a person does not have—for example, asking an uncharitable person for money.)

• A quitter never wins; a winner never quits.

Ang umaayaw ay di nagwawagi, ang nagwawagi ay di umaayaw.

(To be successful, you must try until you reach your goal.)

• He who does not love his mother tongue is worse than a rotten fish.

Ang hindi marunong magmahal sa sariling wika, ay mahigit pa sa mabaho at malansang isda.

(Honor your origins and the language of your ancestors.)

• A person who does not remember where he came from will never reach his destination.

Ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan, hindi makakarating sa paroroonan.

(It's important to look back at your roots and show gratitude to those who came before you. It is because of them that you are where you are today.)

• If someone throws stones at you, throw back bread.

‘pag binato ka ng bato, batuhin mo ng tinapay .

(Instead of looking for revenge, show love and forgiveness.)

• Nothing destroys iron but its own corrosion.

Walang naninira sa bakal kundi sariling kalawang.

(Iron is known for its strength, but it can destroy itself when exposed to certain conditions. Similarly, even a strong person can be undone by his or her own actions or habits.)

• It is hard to wake up someone who is pretending to be asleep.

Mahirap gisingin ang taong nagtutulog-tulugan.

(While it is easy to tell people something they do not know, it is much harder if they are willfully choosing not to see what is before them.)

• While the blanket is short, learn how to bend.

Kapag maikli ang kumot, matutong mamaluktot.

(If your blanket is too short to cover you completely with your legs straight, bend them so that you fit. In other words, learn how to adapt to your environment and be satisfied with what you have. If you have less in life, learn to be frugal until you come to the point when you can spare some money for a little bit of luxury.)

What are some interesting/weird/superstitious things about the Philippines that only Filipinos would understand or notice?

Flor Roma

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Retired teacher and a former F/A Oct 1

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What are some interesting/weird/superstitious things about the Philippines that only Filipinos would understand or notice?

I have a bundle of those weird, or interesting superstitious beliefs that only we Filipinos would understand.

Like:

1. If a brown butterfly sneaks into the house, it’s an omen that a relative has died. (This is true and had happened to me and to the family several times).
2. Dogs howling in the neighborhood in the middle of the night means a neighbor is going to die. (I can attest to this that it is 95% true.)
3. Black cat that crosses your path is a harbinger of bad news.(I don’t know. I.not a cat person.)
4. If you bite your tongue, someone is talking about you. (It happens to me most of the time. So, so much could be gossiped about me after all.)
5. At twelve midnight, look at yourself in a full length mirror with a lighted candle and the face of your future husband would appear. (I could never bring myself to do this. No wonder until now I’m husbandless.)
6. When you are in the process of constructing your house, and the soil is being dug up, throw coins into the soil so your house would have positive atmosphere and abundance. (My parents did this. Well, I’ve got plenty of coins in my little basket till now.)
7. Before living in an apartment or a house, bring in salt and rice first and sprinkle holy water around to cast out bad spirits. (Yes, this is automatic in us. I did this as I moved around in Europe, in flats or lofts. Ergo, no demons dared to show up.)
8. Conduct “house blessing” as soon as your house is ready for occupancy. This is supposed to be the pinnacle of your success. Prepare some food for your guests. This is to initiate easy and positive vibes and bounty and affluence. (Most Filipinos observe this. I did. Maybe the reason behind this is to establish camaraderie and hospitality and thanksgiving).

There are a handful more beliefs and weird practices we Filipinos observe, but at this moment the above would do.

Do you have the same ? 

What are some of the unique traditions and customs in the Philippines?

Datu Ulap

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Filipino lifestyle 1y

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What are some of the unique traditions and customs in the Philippines?

Some of these traditions are very commonly associated with the Philippines, but may also be found in neighboring Southeast Asian nations.

This greeting gesture may not be exclusive to the Philippines but it is mostly confined to Maritime Southeast Asia. This gesture is most commonly associated with the Philippines though it is also practiced in neighboring Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei.

• Pagmamano (in Tagalog), also goes by Amin in Cebuano, Siklod in Kapampangan, Siyom in Maranao. This honoring gesture is done to elders in the family. In precolonial times, this gesture would’ve been done to datus and rajahs and the hands would’ve gone to the cheeks.

Pasalubong can be roughly translated to “giving gifts back home from another place.” In the Philippines, this has become a whole industry and a huge part of the tourist economy. Gift-giving is big in Asia and it's especially true in the Philippines.

The country that loves to give

Pasalubong is more than simply a souvenir or gift, with layers of meaning and ritual behind the word.

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20170706-what-the-philippines-can-teach-us-about-giving

• Local areas may have their own special pasalubong for travelers. Dried mangoes are one such popular item.

Bayanihan refers to “community spirit”. The culture in the Philippines is very collectivist, and this manifests in the Bayanihan concept.

• This often manifests in the local barangay helping move another person's house from one place to another. This can also be seen in communities around maritime Southeast Asia.

There is even a specific cultural practice for courtship called Harana, where a suitor would sing outside the window or home of the person they are interested in.

• While the most common form of harana is associated with the Spanish colonial period, the practice actually goes back to the pre-colonial era.

• The Maguindanao people even have their own version called kapanirong.

The belief in spirits is huge in the Philippines. Saying “tabi-tabi po” by places that spirits are known to inhabit is a common practice as a sign of respect.

‘Tao po! Hindi aswang!’

Nobody seems to know why Filipinos declare “Tao po!” when they knock on a door or gate. It dates back to pre-Spanish times. Doors then had no peekholes as we have today, so before opening the door to let the “knocker” in, one had to make sure it was not a wild animal, which couldn’t speak and identify itself as “tao” (human).

https://opinion.inquirer.net/117125/tao-po-hindi-aswang

In Catholic areas, pre-colonial traditions have merged with Catholic traditions. One of these is “pangangaluluwa”, or the tradition of souling during All Saints Day. Groups of people carol around houses in exchange for food, usually biko or suman.

The Disappearing Philippine Tradition of 'Souling' for Rice Cakes

Pangangaluluwa means singing, costumes, and treats.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/philippine-halloween-traditions

• Pangangaluluwa still practiced in rural Philippines.

Being a largely Catholic society, the Philippines has its own unique Christmas traditions.

• There are a series of 9-day early morning masses called Simbang Gabi, a tradition that leads up to Christmas Eve where attendees visit the church before sunrise to attend mass.

• Delicacies such as puto bumbong and bibingka were sold outside of the church.

• Parol lanterns of the Philippines. They have been around for centuries in more simple shapes and took on their iconic star shape in the early 20th century. They are made of papel de japon as well as capiz shell. Parols are a common sight around Christmas in the Philippines.

• Lubenas is a unique lantern tradition in Pampanga.

Indigenous customs are still practiced in many parts of the Philippines.

• Punnuk is the annual harvest festival of the Ifugao people. There is a traditional tug-of-war game against the rival barangays. Local Ifugao people wear their traditional clothing, a red and black bahag and a headdress for the men, and the traditional skirt for the women.

• Dream weaving is still practiced in many indigenous groups in Mindanao. The T’boli people are known for their t’nalak weaving, the designs come from dreams.

• Tanyak-tanyak refers to the powdery makeup applied to the faces of the Yakan people in traditional wedding ceremonies. Its geometric designs are applied from the end of a bamboo stick and signify the moon and stars witnessing a union.

• Buklog is a traditional thanksgiving ceremony of the Subanen people. There is an interesting practice where the participants dance on an elevated wooden structure called the ‘Buklog’ – a sacred and social space – which resonates with a sound believed to please the spirits.