by Christeen Mae Juan
Christmas is one of the most awaited occasions every year. When Christmas is about to come, Filipinos are really preparing for it. There are colorful Christmas decorations everywhere, Bibingka and Puto Bumbong are in demand again, Tiangges are on the peak of sales, and people sing Christmas carols. Philippines become more colorful and alive during Christmas season.
Filipinos have different ways in celebrating Christmas. Some celebrate it pompously, others celebrate it simply, but there are also people who do not even celebrate it. Filipinos have different ways in celebrating Christmas because admit it or not, status in life is a reason.
For Kenneth Catindig, having a love life during Christmas would make a person's Christmas merrier knowing that it is a gift from God and knowing that there is someone who will stay with you.
“No'ng mga nakaraang pasko lagi akong brokenhearted. Laging natatapat na December 'yong mga break-ups ko. Pinakamasayang December ko na 'yong this year kasi maliban sa masaya kami ng pamilya ko, alam kong nahanap ko na 'yong babaeng para sa akin. 'Yong babaeng hindi ako iiwan kahit anong mangyari, 'yong mamahalin ako sa paraang alam nya at mahal na mahal ko,” said Kenneth.
But how about the Christmas of those singles or what we called SMPs (Samahan ng Malalamig ang Pasko) like Joi Bautista? “Sana’y na akong walang love life. Nakakalungkot na nakakainggit kasi 'yong iba ang saya nila na may boyfriend sila at may nagsasabi sa kanila ng I love you pero ayos lang I’m happy with my friends.”
Despite being single, a person shouldn’t worry or be depressed if he/she does not have a love life this Christmas. Just think of the blessings and luck and it is enough to say that Christmas is happy.
“Nagce-celebrate kami ng pasko nang kumpleto. Naghahanda ng masasarap na pagkain, nag exchange gifts, at palaro,” that is how Justin Flaviano and his family celebrate Christmas.
Lucky for you if you celebrate that way. Imagine how lucky you are for having almost everything, complete family, wealth, and happiness.
But imagine how hard it is for a family to celebrate Christmas incomplete like Kazel Clint Gameng and her family.
“Nagpapasko kami ng apat lang kami, papa ko, dalawang kapatid ko at ako. Masaya naman kaso mas masaya kung kumpleto kami pero ayos lang iniisip ko na lang para rin naman samin kung bakit nasa ibang bansa si mama,” shared Kazel.
We all know it's hard for a family to celebrate Christmas with a member of their clan not with them but it’s even harder for that family member who is away for a long period of time with no one to hold on to nearby.
If it’s hard for someone who’s incomplete then imagine how harder it is for someone who almost have nothing. For a 9 year-old street child, Jun-Jun Ocampo, what he wants for Christmas is money. At a very young age he already knew how hard it is to earn money. Jun-Jun and his family are from Tarlac but took the risk to go in Bulacan hoping that they will have a good life in the said province. But unfortunately, things did not happen the way they wanted it to be. Now Jun-Jun and his family stay at Malolos Bayan begging there in order for them to live and they celebrate Christmas on the street. Love matters but for some, money matters more.
They say you can’t give something you don’t have that’s why sometimes it’s either you’re the one who give or the one who receive but in the case of Lola Sising Javier, even though not rich, is willing to give.
“Nagsasaya pa rin naman ako kapag pasko. kapag may nagbibigay sa 'kin ng pera at kahit mahirap ako, pinapamaskuhan ko 'yong mga bata (street children) kahit konti lang,” Lola Sising humbly said.
Christmas is not about having something or everything and having nothing. It’s not even about one's status in life. Someone’s Christmas won’t be considered merry by giving and receiving gifts or money but it’s about giving from your heart and receiving love. It’s not about Santa Claus who makes our wishes come true but it’s about God who doesn’t give us what we want but what we need. The essence of Christmas is not about the gifts but what we have from within.
Filipinos have different ways in celebrating Christmas. Some celebrate it pompously, others celebrate it simply, but there are also people who do not even celebrate it. Filipinos have different ways in celebrating Christmas because admit it or not, status in life is a reason.
For Kenneth Catindig, having a love life during Christmas would make a person's Christmas merrier knowing that it is a gift from God and knowing that there is someone who will stay with you.
“No'ng mga nakaraang pasko lagi akong brokenhearted. Laging natatapat na December 'yong mga break-ups ko. Pinakamasayang December ko na 'yong this year kasi maliban sa masaya kami ng pamilya ko, alam kong nahanap ko na 'yong babaeng para sa akin. 'Yong babaeng hindi ako iiwan kahit anong mangyari, 'yong mamahalin ako sa paraang alam nya at mahal na mahal ko,” said Kenneth.
But how about the Christmas of those singles or what we called SMPs (Samahan ng Malalamig ang Pasko) like Joi Bautista? “Sana’y na akong walang love life. Nakakalungkot na nakakainggit kasi 'yong iba ang saya nila na may boyfriend sila at may nagsasabi sa kanila ng I love you pero ayos lang I’m happy with my friends.”
Despite being single, a person shouldn’t worry or be depressed if he/she does not have a love life this Christmas. Just think of the blessings and luck and it is enough to say that Christmas is happy.
“Nagce-celebrate kami ng pasko nang kumpleto. Naghahanda ng masasarap na pagkain, nag exchange gifts, at palaro,” that is how Justin Flaviano and his family celebrate Christmas.
Lucky for you if you celebrate that way. Imagine how lucky you are for having almost everything, complete family, wealth, and happiness.
But imagine how hard it is for a family to celebrate Christmas incomplete like Kazel Clint Gameng and her family.
“Nagpapasko kami ng apat lang kami, papa ko, dalawang kapatid ko at ako. Masaya naman kaso mas masaya kung kumpleto kami pero ayos lang iniisip ko na lang para rin naman samin kung bakit nasa ibang bansa si mama,” shared Kazel.
We all know it's hard for a family to celebrate Christmas with a member of their clan not with them but it’s even harder for that family member who is away for a long period of time with no one to hold on to nearby.
If it’s hard for someone who’s incomplete then imagine how harder it is for someone who almost have nothing. For a 9 year-old street child, Jun-Jun Ocampo, what he wants for Christmas is money. At a very young age he already knew how hard it is to earn money. Jun-Jun and his family are from Tarlac but took the risk to go in Bulacan hoping that they will have a good life in the said province. But unfortunately, things did not happen the way they wanted it to be. Now Jun-Jun and his family stay at Malolos Bayan begging there in order for them to live and they celebrate Christmas on the street. Love matters but for some, money matters more.
They say you can’t give something you don’t have that’s why sometimes it’s either you’re the one who give or the one who receive but in the case of Lola Sising Javier, even though not rich, is willing to give.
“Nagsasaya pa rin naman ako kapag pasko. kapag may nagbibigay sa 'kin ng pera at kahit mahirap ako, pinapamaskuhan ko 'yong mga bata (street children) kahit konti lang,” Lola Sising humbly said.
Christmas is not about having something or everything and having nothing. It’s not even about one's status in life. Someone’s Christmas won’t be considered merry by giving and receiving gifts or money but it’s about giving from your heart and receiving love. It’s not about Santa Claus who makes our wishes come true but it’s about God who doesn’t give us what we want but what we need. The essence of Christmas is not about the gifts but what we have from within.
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