Christmas in Floridablanca

Christmas by: Joas L. Chavez
Filipino says, IF YOU HAVE NOT HEARD A CHRISTMAS CAROLS WHEN THE MONTHS OF "*BER" Then, you never grew up in the Philippines. In the Philippines does the season to be merry come incredibly early. Once September comes, the first of the so-called ''ber'' months, it instantly becomes an article of faith for the Filipinos to believe Christmas is just around the corner. Of course, across the ocean from where we are, Filipino, Americans and Europeans are still enjoying their places in the sun. And looking forward for Halloween and of course the night of Thanksgiving. The rush for Christmas is as Pinoy as Filipino time. A paradox, that. We're late for everything and everyone else, but way ahead for the advent of the Yuletide season. So, now its only 90 days remaining before Christmas, listen to the radio blare of chestnuts roasting on an open fire, of mommy kissing Santa Claus, of the herald angels sing in the silence of the holy night. It warms your heart and the feeling of wanted to be young again to fully enjoy the spirit of Christmas in the Philippines. But even then, young old do enjoy the birthday of Jesus Christ. One would believe that having heard it all this early on, we would tire of Christmas before its time. No way. In this country, Christmas does not come and go. It comes and comes, lingers, and enticed to stay. It used to be that the Feast of the Three Kings on Jan. 6 put an end to the liturgical season of Christmas. Not that anyone here was heard to complain but we no longer have to wait that long, decreed the Catholic Church in the Philippines, perhaps, to discourage our addiction to the holiday. I remember in my younger years as a kid in Floridablanca. I could really feel that Pasko is coming. You wake up in the morning you can smell the cold breeze and the changes in mood of the Filipino People. It all starts in September. Turning the radio to greet you with "Ang Pasko ay Sumapit and it will melt you with the next song of "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmassss". We (Filipinos) knows that "Maleldo" is coming and yet Christmas is in the air to all Filipinos. As we approach December one begins to hear more and more fire-crackers specially "lebentador" being tested somewhere out there. In the residential and streets, kids would be playing with "Watusi". Older boys would be braving a light of a 5-star firecracker. Sometimes we could smell the burned-up powder of detonated firecrackers and Watusis played by kids. I still remember going for evening walks with my friends doing "Carollings" and going to "Luneta (florida)" hanging out waiting for almost midnight just to get freshly bake "Pandesal". Nothing fancy and yet we had fun. A fun that still within me melting me down. I do wish that I have a TIme Machine just to get back to it. I am sure we all do wish that. Also, one cannot avoid seeing the numerous parols that hang infront of houses no matter how poor and welthy we are. Those who could afford to pay the electricity bill had their gardens covered in lights. Some of them twinkling. Luckily, my first born Child (Joanne)is her Birthday on Chrismats eve to celebrate her Birthday with our friends. Little thing that I know, I created a tradition a traditions to Celebrate my Daughter's Birthday along to celebrate the Birthday of Jesus". Evening comes, kids would be carolling from door to door. No matter how bad they sang, no matter how primitive their instruments, they always got something.... When the recieved something (Twenty Five centavos) from their efforts, they would sing their grand finale, "Tenk-Q Tenk-Q Mr and Mrs Tenk-Q! I know the feeling... I was one of them. Pinoy Christmas Season is very lively. Those of you in the Philippines, cherish and preserve that atmosphere. It is something that exemplifies what Christmas should be like (in my humble opinion).