Countdown To Christmas

            MARTIN NIEVERA sings it like it is and he is right, you really can’t stop Christmas. You can’t stop the joy, you can’t stop the season and it is definitely going on as scheduled this Tuesday, the 25^th of December. It will push through despite summer weather in Manila and regardless of what the Mayan Calendar and other doomsayers declare.

               In fact, it’s way past the 21^st of December which was predicted to be the end of days. If you must know, this was my dad’s end of days when he joined his Maker in 2002. But the family do not celebrate this day as we want to remember him when he was alive and so it is during his birthday – every ninth of January – that we get together, pig out on his favorite food and have a birthday cake for dessert.

            Anyway, the countdown gets louder with the tick-tock of time leading to it. It’s now just a matter of seconds, minutes and hours. And I just love the frenzy and the rush and all the colors and all that glitter and sparkle. The hues and shades are no longer just the traditional green and red but now include my favorite colors of pink and periwinkle and lilac and even bright orange.

               What I love most is the fact that loved ones have more time with each other – getting together, reuniting and reconnecting, meeting for dinners or lunch or even just coffee, and simply catching up to share the spirit of the season.

               And I love countdowns – not in terms of counting the days but more on adding up ways by which I could make them go faster towards the great event. Meaning I simply take one day at a time and let the Christmas rush runs its course.

              Just like the message of Advent, which is positive waiting and rejoicing on what is to come. This ushers in the season of Christmas, the birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ, the only Superstar. Four Candles – three in violet color, one in rose pink – are placed in a wreath and are lighted each Sunday until the 25th.

               That is why all is calm in my world despite being time-challenged at the moment because there are just so many gifts to be wrapped. I wake up basking in the morning sunshine and not rush into the day like a harassed salesclerk at SM. At the end of the day, I marvel at the moon and the stars – in all its wonderful shapes and sizes, be it waxing or waning – and not just doze off to bed like a dead-beat construction worker.

               Okay, I know my comparisons are a bit off but I want to emphasize the calmness and serenity I feel despite the general atmosphere of hurriedness. I do not let the fast-paced and commercialized tone of the season define me.

               But when did this countdown to Christmas begin?

               Surely, it was in September when the long Pinoy Christmas celebration usually starts. You are not a Filipino if you didn’t hear your first Yule song at that time. Mine was Jingle Bells Rock and I guess it is just appropriate because I intend to rock this Christmas.

               In this month, I was busy and I cannot be bothered by thoughts of ‘ber months and mornings and late afternoons getting colder. I was being full-time mom to my two daughters – Pee Ann was in town and we were going places and bonding to the max; perfect host to my visiting New York-based cousin Luis; diligent moonlighter as some friends and I had this small events planning team – giving initial advice for a wedding and mounting a rock-themed birthday party; and, of course, contributing writer to two magazines – although in this particular month, the assignments weren’t as toxic. 

               Septembers from a distant past meant sending Christmas cards to friends and relatives abroad to make sure they get there on time. Yes, I’m talking about snail mail and I actually miss receiving them even if some of the e-cards I have been receiving are cute and hip.

               I’ve kept some Christmas cards and pasted them on old journals but time and tide has destroyed majority of them. But here’s two – from friend since high school Joyce, and friend since F. Jacinto Group days Nickie.

               And so October came and I began to sort of give in to the feeling. This was about the time ABS-CBN launched its Christmas Station ID, Liwanag ng Pasko, and Ayala Avenue became awash with those lights that sparkle and glitter and dazzle, telling us they are so ready for their brand of Yuletide celebration.

               I downloaded the station ID in my iPad and I must have seen it a couple of times and yet I get teary-eyed each time. I like it that they highlighted everyday heroes – like the Red Cross volunteers, the firefighters, the Philippine Coast Guards, even the soldiers and cops …

               “It shows how each Filipino become bearers of light, as they help their countrymen get back on their feet, and how they remain resilient because kindness never runs out in this nation filled with people who are always ready and willing to help,” says Robert Labayen, ABS-CBN’s head of Creative Communications Management in a Push.com article.

              This kindness is once more displayed as typhoon Pablo destroys houses and crops and claims several lives in some parts of Mindanao. People and organizations – from volunteers and government people to ordinary citizens – are all over the place helping rebuild homes and replant trees, reaching out to those traumatized, and simply being there for those in grief.

               Happening on the first week of December and just like Sendong about the same time last year, Pablo is a great dampener for everything Christmas. But ‘tis the season to be generous and for us Filipinos, there isn’t a perfect moment or right time to be so than when our fellowmen are in crisis, Christmas season on not.

               If I may add, we’ve been here before and we will survive this.  Filipinos have a kind of strength that comes from above, from the ability to pray, to seek divine intervention. The people of Cebu were saying that they were spared by Pablo because they were protected by (Blessed) Pedro – the Pinoy saint recently canonized. Mas malakas si Pedro kay Pablo, they quipped.

               Another remarkable strength is our capacity – or is it talent? – to pick up the pieces and start anew. As Ms. Chay, MOD magazine’s former editor, would always say at the end of beating a nerve-wracking deadline, tomorrow is another day.

               We Filipinos know by heart that whatever happens today, we can always begin the following day.  We welcome beginnings and it doesn’t matter how many times they happen. I’m positive that the people hurt by Pablo will recover and start a new life and that, whatever negative emotions they are feeling right now, this is temporary and will soon pass.

            Going back to October, I likewise caught a Duty Free Philippines’ TVC, reviving the Babalik Ka Rin song with Gary Valenciano and joining him this time is son, Paolo, who is even a better singer. I also saw Kapamilya network’s Christmas trailer for all its teleserye shows and what got me was the background music – Rico Blanco singing “chestnuts roasting on a open fire …”  

              This was also the month the malls started to spruce up and I especially like those of Ayala Malls’ white angels and white Christmas trees and, my favorite, those pots and pots of poinsettias.

       

 

             I also like Santa Claus at the EDSA Shang, who is playing the flute and swaying to its music. And all those Christmas trees, not just in the malls – at SM Megamall with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse hang all over it; those cuddly teddy bears at SM Masinag; the usual but always beautiful glossy balls at Robinsons Magnolia; pink poinsettias at National Bookstore Ali Mall; and everything on it in that tall one at the Araneta Center – but in churches as well – notably St. Peter Parish, where I regularly hear Mass and say my thanksgiving prayers; Sto. Nino de Paz Chapel at Greenbelt Park, my holy haven when in Makati; and Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo City, which I visited with sister Pat when we were in the neighborhood recently.

               As I strolled down shiny floors of many malls, mesmerized by the fantastic décor, some of which I wished I could set up in my humble apartment, in the end, the most beautiful Christmas tree or décor could be found at home.

               I love my Angel of Peace which illuminates my veranda at night.

               And going back in time, I remember my lelong (that’s what we call our grandfather in Ilocano) cutting a small twig from one of the pine trees lining the corners of the plaza fronting our ancestral home in Sta. Catalina, Ilocos Sur, to become our Christmas tree. I lived with them until I was eight years old and I can still recall how good it smelled. And that it remains to be my most favorite Christmas tree.

               The two other favorites would be my mom’s Christmas tree with its apple-shaped lights wound around it; and my own Christmas tree on the wall which I did in our apartment way back when the girls were still in gradeschool.

               October turned to November and I began to wish I could give more than just presents from a store. Well, of course, my family and friends already have my undying love but I was thinking of those boys of Cottolengo Filipino my high school batch and I have been supporting for a couple of years now.

               In search of the right toys for them, I braved the streets of Divisoria with Evie, who was a bit anxious having me as shopping companion. Initially, she suggested that we part ways and then just meet up after doing our buying chores. I remained calm even if I was scared to be left alone in such a place where you have to squeeze yourself through people to do a decent walk. I even suggested just going home ahead of her but I dropped the idea because I didn’t know where to get a ride and she didn’t know either. But all’s well that ends well and we successfully bought the right toys and the stuff she needs. As for me, I wasn’t able to buy anything except for a Louis Vitton iron pad.

            I also had the chance to do second-hand charity work for cousin Luis for the Missionaries of Charity, the home of sick children, in Tayuman, Manila. Since he’s back in New York, I delivered the goods, including milk, to the shelter. Daughter Ghiselle, brother Abe, nephew JP and grandson Marcus joined me in this worthy errand.            

               In between doing good, I found romantic relief in the morning teleserye Be Careful With My Heart …

SER CHIEF’S GREAT PROFILE. [Photo was shared in Facebook.]

                … Swooned over the surprise wedding of Zoren and Carmina, which was shown on TV. My favorite parts include the twins doing a rap, “Yo mommy, he wants to marry you tonight…” and Zoren singing Wanna Grow Old With You but forgetting the lyrics. This brought me back to the 50^th golden wedding anniversary of my parents in 2002 when nephew Jet, who was only five years at that time, sang the same song so perfectly with his dad Noldy playing the guitar.

GROOM OF THE YEAR Zoren. [Photo was

also shared in  Facebook.]

               As the days ran out towards December, I joined the Christmas rush and a corresponding hectic social life.

               My gang of nine from UST High School had a Christmas party cum Monito/Monita cum Videoke at FISH in Quezon City. I had dinner and lots of catching up with friends from Team Zeus at SM Megamall – from meeting up in Starbucks to dinner in  Mang Inasal.

               Also had a quick but hearty meal with my moonlighting friends at Packo’s Grill near ABS-CBN then moved to Coffee Bean along Morato for more time together. Finally, a get-together with my former officemates from F. Jacinto Group and now permanent friends at birthday girl Milen’s swanky house-with-a-pool in Alabang.

               I just love all these get-togethers which have these things in common: great food and bubbly drinks plus endless laughter. I thank God for putting all these fun and crazy but loving people in my world.  

               And then it was time for me to WRAP and roll … My small apartment looks like a mini Package Counter with all those gifts – for family, friends, godchildren, officemates, neighbors – taking most of our space. But we are having fun and Pee Ann designed a personalized gift tag for us with our photos on it and I would say the tag truly dominates. Senator Miriam Defensor has a term for that – EPAL!

                In a few hours, it will be Christmas and by 10pm, daughter Ghiselle and I are off to attend the Christmas Eve Mass at San Isidro de Labrador in Marikina City. We will be joining my sister Pat and her family for Noche Buena.

               Tomorrow, the yearly family reunion happens at my brother Allan’s house in Imus, Cavite.

               You may have noticed it by now that I like saying I just love it because life is good, God is good, and come Christmas, it will be fun and I am just going to love it with everything and everybody on it.

               Even if I still have a few gifts to wrap before we attend Mass in a while, I would like to do a Chipmunks and say, I can hardly stand the wait, please Christmas don’t be late …

                            

A Reason To Smile

THE PICTURE of Manny Pacquiao down on the floor definitely paints a thousand words and I can think of a bunch of adjectives that defines what we are NOT used to feeling when our Pambansang Kamao, emerges triumphant from a fight.

         But I want to skip the negative vibes as the People’s Champ himself has said, sometimes you get hit, and that sometimes – even if you have won eight titles consecutively – you lose.

      Indeed there isn’t any reason for Filipinos to smile after that lucky punch – Juan Manuel Marquez says “perfect punch” – and waking up Monday morning after that disappointing weekend must have been difficult.

      The same thing goes for the people of Mindanao, who were visited by super typhoon Pablo the week before the fight and gave them a devastating knockout. It was like Ondoy and Sendong all over again and a sad Christmas looms in the horizon.

         As usual, the tragedy brought the entire Filipino nation to the rescue and this is one reason to smile. Tina Monson-Palma of ABS-CBN’s Sagip Kapamilya beamed on national TV as she announced that help continues to pour in – be it in basic goods or through bank deposits. “Maraming tumutulong at kami’y nagpapasalamat,” she said.

         Recovery, however, would take some time and our fellow Filipinos down south will continue to need the essentials, and will have to be assisted not only in rebuilding wiped out houses but fixing broken hopes and dreams.

         If you want to help but don’t know how, check out the websites of ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya, Red Cross and other charitable institutions.

         Let me now move on to the photographs I took showing a group of boys who, despite having been abandoned by family and afflicted with physical or mental disabilities, are always ready to give their best smiles.

        They are residents of Cottolengo Filipino in Montalban, Rizal. As you may already know, Cottolengo Filipino became a significant part of my high school batch from UST a couple of years ago and since then, they give me a halo effect each time I see them.

THE SMILING  BOYS of Cottolengo Filipino

with Evie (topmost) and Mirella (above); and (below)  

with one of them doing “Japan Japan.”

         Last December 8^th, my gang of nine – with other batchmates joining, namely Teri, Emi, Mon, UK-based Rene, and  Cristy, who came with her officemates at Aegis PeopleSupport – represented our batch in giving them a Christmas treat and turned over the funds we raised for this undertaking through a tiangge held last month.

         (For the unknowing, my gang is composed of Ernie, Evie, Jun, Lydia, Mel, Mirella, Ruby, and Sonny. We used to be a perfect 10 with Cynthia, who is now based in Canada … although she remains to be a bona fide member – in absentia.)

         Making our simple treat into a major bash were the employees of UCPB and students from the Ateneo who chose this day to be with the kids. The bank people even brought along a party team from Jollibee.

THE BATCH IN RED – well almost – in a souvenir

shot with Fr. Estefan at the boys’ classroom, where

the amiable priest showed us images

 of the Virgin Mary especially handcrafted by the boys.

  JOLLIBEE shares stellar billing with the batch

in bringing cheer to the boys of Cottolengo Filipino.

          But, of course, we weren’t to be outdone. Aside from our loot bags, we offered some entertainment as well. We sang them one classic Pinoy Christmas song – Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit – with Sonny and Ernie accompanying us with their guitars. We also brought along Santa Claus through Mon and the boys loved him.

 ONE SONG, lotsa treats and Santa Claus, these are

what we brought to the party. (Topmost) Gosen receives

his loot bag from Teri and Ruby while Matthew

(above) strikes a pose with Santa Mon. And that’s

us below singing an unrehearsed “Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit.”

 

         Fr. Estefan welcomed everybody with his smile of gratitude, saying “thank you for loving (the boys of Cottolengo Filipino) and showing them respect.” He took note of the festive atmosphere, adding “they are smiling because they are having a party and you are all here … let us have a happy party and enjoy the moment.”

         And we did enjoy the moment.  We participated in the games – Trip to Jerusalem, Statue Dance and Hep Hep Hooray! – and it was fun seeing the boys display their moves to the tune of Gangnam Style, among other danceable hits.

         In the end, sweating profusely and with some of us grasping for breath, it was a – if I should use that adjective again! – happy event. Sonny, in behalf of our batch, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to be of assistance to Cottolengo Filipino. He said “thank you for the experience and the privilege” to spend time with the boys.

         And with the boys smiling and dancing to their hearts’ delight, I know for sure that they, too are thankful for this day with us.

        This was verbalized when Gosen came to me to say thank you and as he held my hand, as usual, I fought back the tears. But when he said “ipagdadasal ko po kayo,” the tears simply welled up. Just like Maya, Jodie Santamaria’s character in that lovable morning soap, Be Careful With My Heart, sing-babaw nang aquarium ang mga luha ko.

        Talking about prayers, these boys need them every single day. They have requirements that are crucial to their very existence. Five-year old Michael may be confined to a wheelchair forever or Matthew, who is about the same age, has to be fed intravenously due to a malfunctioning digestive system. I am not sure of the correct terms for the ailments and handicap of the rest but they are truly helpless by themselves.



THAT’S MICHAEL (above) who gives

                                       the sweetest smile to whoever he meets along

his wheelchair path … And that’s Matthew

(below), getting cozy with Lydia.

          I have long included them in my prayers and also the people in that shelter who make it easy for the boys to be understood, to be fed, to be controlled in times of misbehavior, and most of all, to be shown the true meaning of love. These people are, aside from Fr. Estefan, the tandem of Joan and Marites, the young ladies who are patience personified; and the volunteers, whose names I always forget to ask. Some of the boys cry when the volunteers have to go home or visit their own families. The boys definitely found a sense of family in them.

THE PATIENT and loving people of Cottolengo

Filipino include, from left, Marites,

Fr. Estefan and Joan. Their smiles show how much

 they love what they are doing for the boys.

         Of course, our mga kababayan down south likewise need our prayers. We actually need to knock hard on heaven’s door so that recovery will come to them soon. They may spend Christmas in tarpaulin-roofed evacuation centers or while painfully missing loved ones lost in the storm but surely,

God’s love can be seen in all the kind-hearted people and organizations who are reaching out and giving them that much-needed comfort and assistance.  

          So don’t frown because Manny Pacquiao was completely knocked out in that Sunday fight. Don’t fret because you don’t have a lovelife this Christmas and that it’s going to be soooo cold despite the absence of snow in the country.

         Don’t complain that you will have to work on Christmas day or you will not be able to buy that expensive dress or pair of shoes you’ve been dreaming of for the longest time.

         What I’m trying to say here is sometimes the things that break our hearts are those nonsensical things and we are just overwhelmed with the drama of not having it all.

         As I sign out from my blog, I would like to take a moment to appreciate everything I have today. Numbers usually give me a nosebleed but I want to do some old school arithmetic and count the many reasons for me to smile.

         … To calculate the mornings my loved ones and I wake up to a brand new day.

         … Sum up not our talents or skills but all our senses that are functioning.

         … Quantify the movements I can do and those of my loved ones which do not need assistance or push or wheelchair or even lots of money.

         … Add up the new babies in the family and among friends' families who were born to loving parents and will never abandon them come what may.

         In totality, counting one’s blessings is never overrated.

         Now, smile …

 

 

No Trick, All Treat

I CAME AS A WITCH, complete with a black dress, pointed hat, black nail polish, and ready to give that wicked smile.

     Lydia came sooooo out of character – with that white mask accented by a light blue violet afro. Very much like a creepy clown …

     Sonny and Charisse came as themselves and prepared to give the kids of Cottolengo Filipino and Payatas a happy Halloween.

 

SONNY and Charis (above) in animated conversation

with Fr. Martin (extreme right) of the Payatas

Orione Foundation, Inc. and a member

of the Sons of Divine Providence Congregation.

With them is Sonny’s sister, Clocel.

(Below) Sonny tries on Lydia’s afro wig for kicks.

     The event was the traditional Halloween Trick or Treat that Mina Tecson mounts each year. Mina is the big-hearted lady behind Pinagpalang Kamay Association, Inc.  or PKAI. Last year, our high school batch at the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) joined her Trick or Treat for the first time and it was held at the Corinthian Plaza neighborhood.

     This time around, Mina – who is described by Benz Guerrero, a friend and colleague at the Cottolengo Filipino Board of Trustees, as “the lady who doesn’t say ‘it can’t be done’” — brought the annual Halloween party to the next level. 

     For starters, the venue was a popular events place, Fernwood Gardens, located in Quezon City. Owner Al de Veyra was kind enough to lend the place and had it transformed into a barn with a western saloon accentuated by scarecrows and skeletons in the form of floating balloons and almost real ones in apple boxes.

    

THIS IS the entrance to Fernwood Gardens (above)

and the big man you see is owner Al de Veyra, who

definitely has a big heart, as he lends

the place for a Halloween Trick or Treat

for some 150 kids from Cottolengo Filipino

and Payatas. Bottom photos show

the stage decorated with white skeleton

balloons and more skeletons in apple boxes in

other parts of the place.

 

    There were pony rides and, for the more adventurous kids, bull riding machine rides. There were sandboxes where the kids had fun tossing horseshoe rings into a metal target stand and fishing was allowed in the garden’s lagoon. Some kids, however, were disappointed when they had to return what they caught back into the water.

    There were no tricks except those performed by the clowns and the fashionista dogs.

  

 

     There were treats galore from generous benefactors, including Jollibee, Kusina ni Kambal and my very own high school batch, who donated 150 loot bags containing a sweet assortment of goodies and coloring books with crayons, reading books, pencils and some fluffy toys.

     No doubt, it had all the trappings of a blockbuster Halloween party.

 THAT’S LYDIA (upper photo) – no longer a creepy

clown – distributing the much-awaited bags

of goodies and educational items (above)

to the thankful kids (below). Bottom photo shows

two little girls from Payatas giving

me their best smiles for posterity.

     But making the event truly meaningful was the expression of appreciation from people in attendance and the children themselves.

     Fr. Martin of the Payatas Orione Foundation, Inc. said that it’s not enough to say God loves these children, adding “dapat maramdaman ng mga bata ang konkretong pagmamahal.” He thus cited the event as a concrete example of God’s love and went on to thank everybody who shared their time and resources.

     He likewise informed us that the help they give knows no boundaries. Aside from the children of Payatas, also in their care are a bunch of Badjao kids from Muslim families, who left areas of conflict in Mindanao and settled in Quezon, one of the communities they are supporting.

    Fr. Stefan and Fr. Julio of the Sons of Divine Providence Congregation, who are the people behind Cottolengo Filipino, echoed Fr. Martin’s sentiment and gratitude (Fr. Martin is also from the same congregation). Fr. Stefan cited that those who have less in life are loved more by God and the event clearly showed that.

     Sonia Santos, a member of PKAI, also took center stage to thank everyone who made the event possible, including God, “for the good weather.”

FR. ESTEFAN (above) of Cottolengo Filipino

and Fr. Julio (below), who has been reassigned

to Payatas, express their warm thank you’s

to Mina Tecson, the lady behind the event,

and all the donors for coming up with

a blockbuster Halloween party. Beside

Fr. Julio is Benz Guerrero, a member

of the Cottolengo Filipino Board of Trustees.

     Lastly, there was one expression of gratitude that put tears in my eyes. The boys from Cottolengo Filipino, namely Darwin, Gosen, Joey, John, Kenneth and Renan, did a simple interpretative dance of Nikki Gil’s touching song, “Glowing Inside.”

    

     Some of the words went "thank you for the love you give to me … I’m glowing inside with your love shining through …" and my heart simply melted as they tried to articulate such words through their hands and smiles. It may not be perfect but it was the most touching “thank you” I have ever witnessed.

 

A TOUCHING thank you from the boys of Cottolengo

Filipino. They include, from left, Gosen,

Kenneth, John, Renan, Darwin and Joey.

     

     In ending, I'd like to say that reuniting with my high school batchmates has really given me “Mother Teresa moments” even if I am nothing compared to this remarkable woman who has said “it’s not how much we give but how much love we put in giving.”

     And if I may add, my batchmates and I are truly blessed – we are among family and we are independent, as in we can think and move on our own. Well, okay there are some aches and pains and sometimes we forget this or that as a sign of not-so-young age. But I hope that through Cottolengo Filipino, we are able to substantiate our utmost gratitude for God’s grace by being a blessing to others.

MORE MEMORABLE moments with the kids, together

with Fr. Estefan (above), and (below) Mr. de Veyra,

Ms. Guerrero and the volunteers. Lydia

and I also had fun during these photo-ops.