CHRISTMAS OBSESSION

It seems that most of the blogs I visited talk about Christmas – as it is just around the corner! And how it is a favourite occasion most especially to the Filipinos. In the Philippines being a predominantly Christian country, Christmas is "the Holiday".

Christmas though being brought in by the Americans and the Spaniards (?), has been Filipinized a lot – as in Christmas in the Philippines is quite unique (as different as the Filipinos) from the States or Australia or from any other Christmas celebrating countries. It can start as early as September to some people when the month ends with ‘ber’ – so I know of an Uncle who puts on the Christmas tree and lights and plays his favourite Christmas songs as early as September. Can you imagine celebrating Christmas for almost four months! It’s like begging the question: can u overdose on Christmas?

But of course, it is almost an obsession to most people – since Christmas being a time to be happy, merry and gay, is like a drug that you can easily get addicted with starting when your only five or six years of age. I think the Christmas spirit as a way of life – is being instilled early in our subconscious in our family, in the school, in the church and the community. In the family, we are taught about the joy of giving (that’s why Filipinos are generous by heart). We have to have something wrapped and to give at Christmas. We have to make at least ten Christmas cards. We have Noche Buena (family dinner before Christmas day) even without the lavish food that other rich people have. I remember we only have suman, buko salad, pansit bihon, and chicken na pinaupo sa palayok (baked in salt). And that was already a sumptuous Christmas Noche Buena. This taught us a lot about being together during this important celebration even without the frills that abundant funds could have. Of course the house is filled with Xmas decors like the Christmas Tree (with snows look alike that maybe cotton balls or dried soap bubbles), beautiful star lanterns, glittering lights, the Belen (Nativity Scene Diorama), etc. Family activities involve gift giving, Santa Claus visitation, going to the church, being in Christmas cantata (choral), etc. etc. I even remember playing Joseph during a Christmas party at school and one time as Mary in the Boys Scouts (since I really looked like a girl than a boy when I was still in grade school). The school celebrates Christmas intensely and seriously. As in, we sing Christmas songs every day starting November (Pasko Na Naman); have interschool contests and festivals (best lantern, best Christmas tree, and choral contests, essay writing, and everything related to Christmas). And that is from Kinder to Highschool to College. And even in offices after you finish studying, there are all sorts of parties and the spirit is everywhere. You cannot escape from Christmas when you are in the Philippines. The atmosphere, the sights and sounds, the smell, the food. This is also the time when relatives from overseas come back and reunite with love ones. Can you imagine what Christmas gives?

Yes, Philippines is a third third world country - where ultra poverty and corruption abounds -but when it comes to Christmas celebration - no one would beat the Filipinos by heart. We know how to be merry and gay even in times of poverty, misery and calamaties. Christmas come hell or high waters. And I think, that's a redeeming value.