By Gel Santos Relos
Many Filipinos who are now living abroad still remember how excited they were, experiencing their first white Christmas -- frolicking in the snow, being dazzled by the lights and lovely Christmas decorations of New York, mesmerized by the sight and crackling sound of the log burning in the fireplace as they were clad in sweaters and socks and sipping on cups of hot chocolate to keep warm.
These images used to be just pictures and scenes in books and movies, but now they are part of our real life in America. After the novelty of the experience is gone, and we get used to holiday routines year after year in a far and distant land -- sometimes,we get that aching feeling and longing for the warmth and the chaos of our Christmas past.
The holiday fever starts to run high in the Philippines at onset of the "ber months." Christmas songs fill in the airwaves, malls and parks begin to showcase the brightest, glitziest and most colorful Christmas decorations to paint the perfect holiday backdrop. Tiangges sprout like mushrooms, holiday discounts and baratillos lure bargain hunters to begin shopping early on. Filipino homes proudly display their parols to spread the Christmas cheer!
Divisoria gets packed. and long lines in department stores and supermarkets become the norm. Long queues can also be seen in taxi lanes and traffic is at its worst, you would wonder if everyone is out during this time period.
Parking will always be a challenge. Restaurants, hotels, resorts, and caterers are super busy during the first three weekends of December—every office, business, organization or family has to have a Christmas party. Christmas cheer seems to morph to total crazy chaos.
Thank heavens for the traditional “simbang gabi” to help us re-focus on the reason for the season. For many of our kababayans, going to these dawn masses from December 16 to December 24 is like an internal preparation of one’s heart and soul to celebrate the birth of our savior Jesus on Christmas day. It is indeed a test of will and dedication to wake up before the crack of dawn or to walk to church on chilly nights in order to complete the nine novena masses as a way of thanking and worshipping God. It's like a “panata” or a promise -- a covenant for prayers granted or for those that have yet to be answered.
Photo Acknowledgment: Dennis Villegas
Going to simbang gabi is not really like a penance, save for the early wake up time. It is a tradition that binds all faithful followers together in prayer and in celebration of the season. How soulful are the tolling of the church bells that herald the start of the mass. How angelic are the voices of the members of the choir singing classic Christmas songs. How warm are the smiles and greetings of our kababayans as we celebrate the holy mass. The experience, though punctuated by occasional yawns of some sleepyheads, makes many Filipinos feel peace and joy knowing they are home in their Father’s house.
After the mass, things becomes festive. People head to the small huts selling bibingka, puto bumbong and salabat for the perfect after-simbang gabi breakfast. For “to go” yummy treats, we go to the tinderos of putong pulo in the sidewalk—those small bite size sweet puto in brown bags with niyog on the side. This after-mass tradition is very much a bonding moment among families, neighbors, friends, magkababata. A lot of stories are shared as they walk back home.
Photo Acknowledgment: Dennis Villegas
To some, small kids singing Christmas carols with their homemade tambourine (made of flattened tansan or bottle crowns, skewered and bound together by wire) may seem more of a nuisance, but for the balikbayan it's music to the ears.“Sa may bahay, ang aming bati, Merry Christmas na maluwalhati”… that segues to ”Ang pasko ay sumapit, tayo nang magsiawit!” and after getting their aguinaldo, segue yet to the usual “Tengkyu..tengkyu..ang babait ninyo tengkyu!”. If you're like Scrooge to them , what you 'll get is “Tengkyu, tengkyu, ang babarat ninyo, tengkyu!” Many groups of kids go door-to-door and word gets around fast -- if you were generous or kuripot!
While the excitement, fun, and the ensuing stress build up even more exponentially beginning the 16th of December until Christmas, nothing can compare with being around family during the holiday season.
Photo: Wandernaut
There's a food fiesta extravaganza in every family reunion—hamon, queso de bola, lechon, menudo, caldereta, morcon, embotido, halayang ube, leche flan, buko salad— good food really binds us all together!
Exchanging of gifts, videoke singing, card games, inuman, kuwentuhan, biruan among family members from different generations---they all add up to the pleasant and happy chaos that we miss when we spend Christmas in a far distant land.
Blessed are those who can afford the luxury of visiting the Philippines during Christmas—plane fare always skyrockets, and aguinaldos for loved ones in the Philippines can surely break the bank.
Thankfully, we can now rely on modern technology to virtually join our kapamilyas in the Philippines as they celebrate Christmas. In addition to the traditional long distance and international phone calls and snail mail, live real time togetherness through Skype where we can see the expression in their faces as they open the presents we sent them through our balikbayan box.
We can always check out the pictures they upload on Facebook and the happy short messages they send via Twitter. Malayo man, parang malapit na rin.
But definitely, nothing beats the real joy of being there, physically with them.
And so, as we spend the cold quiet holiday season here in America or elsewhere around the world, with some even having to spend Christmas alone, I hope the memories of our Christmas past in the Philippines will keep us warm and make our hearts glow with joy and laughter.
Maligayang Pasko po sa inyong lahat, mga minamahal kong kababayan! God bless us all!