A Filipino tradition that never gets out of style/Giving and receiving love
Christmas is ... Family togetherness
Christmas is ... Family togetherness
By Heidi M. Pascual
Christmas is the happiest and most awaited celebration in the Philippines.
Filipinos await the “coming of the Messiah” or the birth of Jesus Christ with so
much preparation, including a nine-day “Simbang Gabi” or dawn masses. With
Christmas’ message of love and peace, Filipinos have, for many generations,
put it into action, in the form of gift-giving, reconciliation, days of feasting,
sharing fun and togetherness with their families, relatives, neighbors, friends,
peers and co-workers. While children have that special privilege of receiving
toys from their ninongs and ninangs (godfathers and godmothers or baptismal
sponsors), adults expect gifts of true love and caring — in any form, shape or
size — from those they care about.
Thus, it is during the Christmas Season when Filipinos — wherever they may be
in the world — go back to the Philippines to experience once again the joy of
this season with their families.
One night in late November last year, thousands of “Filipinos Overseas” stepped
out of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, with balikbayan boxes and
luggages full of gifts for their loved ones. I was one of them.
It was the best Christmas Holiday I ever had in more than a decade. It is
important to note that in the Philippines, the whole month of December is
considered “Christmas Holiday Season.” Not only was I able to visit my aging
father and aunt (and to take care of their medical needs) and my cousins in
Laguna, but I also got to see and hug my two other children living in Quezon
City, Sherry Anne and John Henry, as well as their families. I spent days with my
adorable grandchildren — Keli and Kyle (11 and 8) and Sophie, Marcus and
Aly (6, 3 and 2) — playing a grandmother’s role “to the best of my ability.”
Those were my most memorable moments during that visit. I also got the
chance to be closer to my daughter-in-law, Malou (John’s wife) and my son-in-
law, Alvin (Sherry’s hubby), and to know Diane (my youngest son Dennis’
girlfriend) and her son, three-year old Andrei. We all had fun together in many
occasions, especially when we went to Subic Bay to celebrate the New Year
there.
This space is not enough to express my thanks to my family. I want them to
know I love them and “I shall return” to enjoy another Christmas Holiday with
them, and perhaps even before that!
Christmas is the happiest and most awaited celebration in the Philippines.
Filipinos await the “coming of the Messiah” or the birth of Jesus Christ with so
much preparation, including a nine-day “Simbang Gabi” or dawn masses. With
Christmas’ message of love and peace, Filipinos have, for many generations,
put it into action, in the form of gift-giving, reconciliation, days of feasting,
sharing fun and togetherness with their families, relatives, neighbors, friends,
peers and co-workers. While children have that special privilege of receiving
toys from their ninongs and ninangs (godfathers and godmothers or baptismal
sponsors), adults expect gifts of true love and caring — in any form, shape or
size — from those they care about.
Thus, it is during the Christmas Season when Filipinos — wherever they may be
in the world — go back to the Philippines to experience once again the joy of
this season with their families.
One night in late November last year, thousands of “Filipinos Overseas” stepped
out of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, with balikbayan boxes and
luggages full of gifts for their loved ones. I was one of them.
It was the best Christmas Holiday I ever had in more than a decade. It is
important to note that in the Philippines, the whole month of December is
considered “Christmas Holiday Season.” Not only was I able to visit my aging
father and aunt (and to take care of their medical needs) and my cousins in
Laguna, but I also got to see and hug my two other children living in Quezon
City, Sherry Anne and John Henry, as well as their families. I spent days with my
adorable grandchildren — Keli and Kyle (11 and 8) and Sophie, Marcus and
Aly (6, 3 and 2) — playing a grandmother’s role “to the best of my ability.”
Those were my most memorable moments during that visit. I also got the
chance to be closer to my daughter-in-law, Malou (John’s wife) and my son-in-
law, Alvin (Sherry’s hubby), and to know Diane (my youngest son Dennis’
girlfriend) and her son, three-year old Andrei. We all had fun together in many
occasions, especially when we went to Subic Bay to celebrate the New Year
there.
This space is not enough to express my thanks to my family. I want them to
know I love them and “I shall return” to enjoy another Christmas Holiday with
them, and perhaps even before that!
The Nativity scene in a public park in
Tacloban City
Tacloban City
(Above) Midnight mass attendees symbolically kiss Baby
Jesus held by a parish priest
Jesus held by a parish priest
| (Above) Heidi (2nd from left) with her grandchildren (L-R) Alyssa, Marcus, Keli, Sophie; (Back) Kyle |
| Marcus with dad John |
Tatay Mario; (below) Tia
Onor
Onor
| (Above) Alyssa & mom Malou; |
Alyssa Pascual (John & Malou's
youngest)
youngest)
Keli (Sherry and Alvin's eldest) and
Sophie (John & Malou's eldest)
Sophie (John & Malou's eldest)
| Alvin, Keli, Sherry Anne, and Kyle |
Sophie, Aly, and Marcus enjoy their bath in
Capas,Tarlac
Capas,Tarlac
| Marcus, Tita Sherry, Aly |
| Andrei opens his gift |
| Diane and Andrei in Subic Bay |
Heidi cuts her cake on her birthday
| Cousin Zaldy with nephews and niece in Santa Cruz, Laguna |
| Cousins Buboy, Arlene, Zaldy and Noralyn in Santa Cruz, Laguna |
