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"Abundance and happiness is hard to find for many Filipinos but never on Christmas day. "
"Abundance and happiness is hard to find for many Filipinos but never on Christmas day. "
I woke up early last Monday morning and I saw Edu Manzano on TV greeting everyone with his “advanced-Christmas greetings” in one of the segment in Umagang Kay Ganda. Edu and the rest of the cast of the morning news program were discussing about Christmas while Christmas song was being played in the background. The spirit of Christmas season was very much present in their set with all the glittering decorations, Christmas trees and Santa Claus displayed. Then I realized it was the first day of the month of September. Ber-month officially started and for us, Filipinos it is the start of Christmas season! 
They say, the Philippines have the longest celebration of Christmas season. Radio stations play Christmas carols during the early hours in the morning and we greet one another “Advance Merry Christmas!” even if it is still September. I don’t know where we got this practice of considering all months ending in ber as part of the Yuletide season.
I have my own point of view why we tend to celebrate Christmas so early. Christmas for us connotes happiness. It is only during this time of the year we feel joy and abundance. People, particularly the working class, are rich during Christmas with bonuses in their pockets. Noche Buena packages are present in every employee’s dining table. Malls and commercial centers are jam packed with sales from all corners. Promos and raffle tickets are distributed to customers. Children are happy with their new toys, clothes and instant money from their ninong and ninang. Others consider this occasion as the best moment for reunions. Families divided by time; friends separated by their careers; and long lost classmates in high school and colleges of all ages were all reunited again during this special occasion. These series of events are not present in our regular days during the year. Abundance and happiness is hard to find for many Filipinos but never on Christmas day.
Amid the crises in our lives we still never lose hope. Even if the price of gasoline and basic commodities is rising; even if there is rice shortage; even if our expenses are ballooning while our salary increases are not enough to cover our needs and wants, many of us are still in positive spirit. Celebrating Christmas as early as September is an example of how optimistic we, Filipinos are. We even keep telling to ourselves “Sana Pasko na!” every time we face problems- financially most of the time.
I have nothing against this practice because I also enjoy the euphoria that I feel every time I feel the spirit of Christmas. Since we have the longest Christmas season, we also have the longest time to give and share our blessings to the needy. Isn’t it that Christmas is also about sharing our blessings to the less fortunate. Why don’t we start to give as early as September? As we celebrate Christmas on ber-months may we all be instruments of charity and a source of happiness to all our brethren.
Advance- Merry Christmas everybody!!!!
They say, the Philippines have the longest celebration of Christmas season. Radio stations play Christmas carols during the early hours in the morning and we greet one another “Advance Merry Christmas!” even if it is still September. I don’t know where we got this practice of considering all months ending in ber as part of the Yuletide season.
I have my own point of view why we tend to celebrate Christmas so early. Christmas for us connotes happiness. It is only during this time of the year we feel joy and abundance. People, particularly the working class, are rich during Christmas with bonuses in their pockets. Noche Buena packages are present in every employee’s dining table. Malls and commercial centers are jam packed with sales from all corners. Promos and raffle tickets are distributed to customers. Children are happy with their new toys, clothes and instant money from their ninong and ninang. Others consider this occasion as the best moment for reunions. Families divided by time; friends separated by their careers; and long lost classmates in high school and colleges of all ages were all reunited again during this special occasion. These series of events are not present in our regular days during the year. Abundance and happiness is hard to find for many Filipinos but never on Christmas day.
Amid the crises in our lives we still never lose hope. Even if the price of gasoline and basic commodities is rising; even if there is rice shortage; even if our expenses are ballooning while our salary increases are not enough to cover our needs and wants, many of us are still in positive spirit. Celebrating Christmas as early as September is an example of how optimistic we, Filipinos are. We even keep telling to ourselves “Sana Pasko na!” every time we face problems- financially most of the time.
I have nothing against this practice because I also enjoy the euphoria that I feel every time I feel the spirit of Christmas. Since we have the longest Christmas season, we also have the longest time to give and share our blessings to the needy. Isn’t it that Christmas is also about sharing our blessings to the less fortunate. Why don’t we start to give as early as September? As we celebrate Christmas on ber-months may we all be instruments of charity and a source of happiness to all our brethren.
Advance- Merry Christmas everybody!!!!
Cream Page:
"Make the most of this exciting month"
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The following events are a few of the historic but sad events that happened in the month of September:
September 11, 2001: The 911 terrorist attacks in the USA that shattered the whole world. This is one of the many important events of September in the last 2000 years.
September 11, 2001: The 911 terrorist attacks in the USA that shattered the whole world. This is one of the many important events of September in the last 2000 years.
September 5, 1997: Mother Teresa, a Catholic nun who devoted her life to helping the poor, died at the age of 87.
September 4, 2006: “Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin dies while filming in Australia's Great Barrier Reef when a stingray's barb pierced his chest.
But there is no use getting sad over this merry month of September because we all know that the Christmas season is fast approaching. Do you feel the slight chill in the air? I do coz I live in a mountainous part of Rizal. I even feel a little bit excited. Ganyan talaga pag malapit na ang Pasko.
It is also Grandparents’ Day on September 7. I should remember to greet my Lolo Rudy on that day. He is my only remaining grandparent. Lolo Rudy is my mom’s father who lives in Olongapo City. From him I got my sociable personality – making friends with almost all the people I meet.
Allow me to introduce my other three grandparents who are no longer with us, and let me share with you why I’m so proud to be their “apo”.
Lola Rose – my mom’s mother. From her I have this patience in making arts and crafts no matter how “busisi” or delicate the project may be.
Lolo Felix – my dad’s father who was a soldier. I got from him his love for reading books. He was the original bookworm. An intelligent man.
Finally, Lola Maura, the mother of my dad. She was a hardworking entrepreneur. This is the reason why I want to have a business of my own, too.
So guys, make the most of this exciting month. Don’t forget to greet your grandparents on the 7th.
Delectable Finale:
There are a lot of things to look forward to on September. Let's celebrate each day with full of enthusiasm as our countdown begins in anticipation for Christmas. May we all start extending our helping hands to the poor and share our blessings!
Don't forget to give our warmest embraces to all our lolos and lolas as we celebrate Grandparents' Day on the 7th. Let's make their days more meaningful as they face the twilight of their lives.
Live life to the fullest!!!
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