Christmas for a soldier’s daughter

By Glaiza Bernadeth Pinto

I opened my television on the morning of September 1 and the morning show was featuring a segment on where and how to find low priced Christmas decorations and gifts.

Actually, come to think of it, a few days before that, I already heard Christmas songs being played over the radio.

“Ber” month na!

And for us Filipinos, that means Christmas is just around the corner.

It may sound crazy because December 25 is actually still more than a quarter of a year away but it does get me excited already. I love Christmas mostly because it is about 2 Fs -family and feast!

For our family, it means getting together in our hometown Alcala because our relatives in the city prefer going to the province to celebrate. Our house, like most other homes, is alive with lights and other Christmas decorations and there seems to be a never-ending coo-king going on in the kitchen.

Food seems to taste much better when eaten together with my cousins, titas and titos; it’s fun sharing the bed with my cousins; and being truly Filipino, singing is one of our favorite activities.

Christmas is also particularly special for me, a daughter of a soldier. We usually only see him once or twice a year and so when our whole family is together, those are really special times.

On Christmas morning, the elders pool some money and prizes together for games among the children.

Of course, I used to be part of those games, but now, having crossed the “adult” border, I am among the spectators and hecklers which is no less fun than actually taking part in the palaro like the ‘longest line’, ‘bring me’ and ‘the most beautiful xmas card and song’. And the kids do take these competitions seriously, some end up crying and quarreling but it’s all part of the entertainment really.

In the afternoon, we step out of the house to join in our town palaro. It’s really almost like what we do at home, just on a bigger scale with entire barangays participating in the games.

Then in the evening, there’s usually a show at the auditorium free for everyone.

When I was in high school, we also used to have outreach programs in the more remote parts of the town where we would have games also for the children and some gift-giving of grocery packs to our less privileged families courtesy of our parents.

Christmas in Pangasinan, or the Philippines I must say, is truly special. And this song captures it beautifully:

Pasko sa atin, hahanap-hanapin mo

Naiiba ang pagdiriwang dito

Pasko sa atin hanap-hanapin mo

Walang katulad dito ang pasko

Lagi mo na maiiisip na sila’y nandito sana

At sa Nocehe Buena ay magkakasama

Ang pasko ay kay saya

Kung kayo’y kapiling na

Sana pagsapit ng pasko, kayo’y naririto

Kahit na malayo ka, kahit nasaan pa man

Maligayang bati para sa inyo sa araw ng pasko.

I know many things are not going too well in our country right now and maybe writing this early about Christmas sounds being a bit too naive.

But hey, we could all use a bit of cheer. And a bit more peace.

(Readers may reach columnist at marifijara@gmail.com. For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/roots/
For reactions to this column, click “Send MESSAGES, OPINIONS, COMMENTS” on default page.)

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments