by Wilhelmina S. Orozco
Christmas is a very important event in the lives of the Filipino people. It's a time for gathering all relatives, related directly and indirectly; a time for children to enjoy being hugged and kissed like the baby Jesus in the manger. No where else do we get our sense of family ties than in the idea of Christmas.
The humble beginnings of Christ make us look towards Christmas as a time for caring for those who have less in life. We find ways to bring them gifts, no matter how cheap just so they could feel special. Although some poor people would dare ask, "Nasaan ang regalo ko?" rather brazenly, we always take it in stride. It is a given, an obligation on the part of those who have been lucky to have been born with parents who looked after their future, to to those who are conscientized to show their generosity, no matter what the costs.
Of course, as the years have passed, our idea of Christmas has become rather commercial, which I really rue very much. I do think that we should have more concerts at shopping malls, and Santa Clauses greeting children without necessarily asking them what you want for Christmas. Santas should ask children, "How will you spend Christmas? Would you like to give something to the poor children? Do you have poor friends? How will you make them happy?"
I do think that inculcating nurturing feelings start at home and in our surroundings. Children must be taught not only to take and take during Christmas but also give and give, not really to the point of hurting.
This morning, I heard over the radio that there is a flux of arrivals at the airport -- our OFWs, mga kababayan who will spend Christmas here. I am trying to stop my tears from falling because I know how difficult it is for them to be separated from their families. I spent Christmas in London, twice, in LA once and in New York once and I felt the pangs of loneliness, except when I went with friends to hear mass at some Catholic Churches. Otherwise, it is quite lonely because Christmas does not seem to be popular in the west, except Thanksgiving. Greeting someone "Merry Christmas!" sounds very perfunctory there and I can feel that Christianity -- although friends are very generous -- is not really a key word. Generosity is practiced but to attribute it to Christ does not seem to be followed at all.
Anyway, let us make this Christmas the happiest for all our kababayan coming home. Every home window let us decorate with welcome home banners to signify to them that we miss them a lot, and wish this administration could make the return of all OFWs to our homecountry be realized within its term -- providing them decent jobs with salaries that could equal if not approximate what they are now earning abroad.
I also heard over the radio that government employees will be receiving their Christmas bonuses, 13th month pay, amounting to P10,000 ++. That is a lot of money for buying food to be eaten on Christmas day. Maybe the government could suspend the imposition of the VAT and EVAT this December so that all prices of goods, especially food and travel, would go down and allow our kababayan to enjoy Christmas gastronomically.
But to really make the Christmas season meaningful, I do think that PNoy could really touch the hearts of the people if he gives us a reprieve from the skyrocketing prices of utilities, oil and basic necessities. We deserve that don't we? After all we have been singing Hallelujiah to the administration ever since it assumed power. We have been very peaceful and caring of each other, except some recalcitrants in Mindanao.
We must realize heaven on earth, not just by looking at the pictures and exhibits of the Nativity everywhere. everyone to enjoy the season.
So help us God.
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