Tule

Just as Carrera slot cars is a boy/man thing, so is tule or circumcision.

Every summer, young boys who are about to enter adolescence pass thru this experience. It is one fear every boy should conquer. I have to conquer mine almost 3 decades ago, now it’s my son’s turn.

A few hours from now, he’s about to experience what most men go thru. But he is more fortunate because of what medical science has to offer now. Once upon a time, tule is performed without anesthesia. The tool of the trade is “labaha” and the disinfectant is the broth of boiled guava leaves. May tatay experienced this, thank God at my time, anesthesia is already available. But my thingy is bare with no stitches. I will be a hypocrite if I would say it’s not a painful experience.

Aside from the ego issue behind tule, the purpose of circumcision is personal hygiene. And in the old testament, this was required to all the Israelite boy/men to distinguish Israel from other race.