Lolo: I’ll be the Santa Claus.
Grandchild: I’ll be the Christmas Tree!
Lolo: Huh?
Grandchild: Presents, Lolo, presents!
*****
Aysus! Gifted child ba ang tawag diyan? Kung present, at hindi nag-forced leave, ang mga ninong at ninang at si Santa Kulas, puwede. Inspired lang duon sa sinabi sa sine: Be the tree, and they will come.
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Dark humour, so they say. An FB post showed a caricature of a man and a woman lying, both hogtied. Its caption read: Mga nagtatagong ninong at ninang, huwag tularan!
Katawa-tawa ba? No! Ganyan na ba talaga katindi ang EJK mentality sa Pilipinas? Not for most and the many. Mga iilang gago’t ugok, mga patapon at basura ng lipunan lang ang nag-iisip nang ganyan!
Don’t get scared, mga ninong at ninang. Giving presents, although it has become traditional, is the least of your worries. Making good Christians out of godchildren and making them fully understand the precepts underlying the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Matrimony are the priorities.
Giving godchildren a present that can make a bright future for them – daily, if possible – may just be the game changer of all time.
Mano po, Ninong. Mano po, Ninang. Pray more often and always take care.
*****
Endless Joy and Kindness, ito ang EJK that should fill the hearts of humanity ngayong Kapaskuhan.
Kaya, kung mayroon kang kagalit, kinamumuhian o sadyang in-unfriend, ceasefire and peace muna. Take a break, smile, be joyful, and shout to your heart’s delight: BE KIND TO ANIMALS!
O, relieved ka na ba? If not, kumain ka ng maraming kamote.
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I’ll be home for Christmas … ito ang lagiang inaasam-asam ng mga katulad nating mga immigrants who left the country of our birth to try a new life in a very different cultural setting.
Halos balik-balikan natin ng tanaw ang lahat ng mga masasayang sandali na nagpaligaya sa atin tuwing dumarating ang Kapaskuhan.
Throwback na lang. We used to attend the Simbang Gabi and the concluding Mass of the Christ. We used to sing Christmas carols. We used to put up a Belen in a conspicuous spot in the living room, where all the other symbols of Christmas (Christmas tree, Santa Clause, etc.) are emblazoned. We used to gather around a table for the Noche Buena with family (a.k.a. the clan to the nth degree). We used to do Kris Kringles during Christmas get-togethers. We used to spread cheer and goodwill to friends, neighbours and strangers. At times, we used to simply sit outside and gaze at the North Star and the vast bright expanse up above, waiting and hoping for the Coming. Malamig ang simoy ng hangin … Pasko na naman.
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Living outside what once was our comfort zone may be construed as plain hard and difficult. A lot of natural, environmental and man-made “politically correct” forces hinder us from doing what we used to do to extol the spirit of Christmas and loudly proclaim the main Reason for the Season.
Sadly, Christmas has become a common silly excuse for some to engage in pretentious reunions to partake of sumptuous, sometimes extravagant and wasteful, food; to drown in alcohol as if tomorrow had been canceled; to exchange notes about the juiciest rumour behind the backs of others; to pompously flaunt social, economic and political status; and to act like ultimate Uncle Scrooges and make absolute fools of themselves.
Really, I worry for them. Baka maimpatso sana sila. Baka ma-spot check sana sila. Baka ma-karma sana sila. Baka kunin kaagad sila ni Lord, sana. Baka itakbo sila sa mental facility, sana.
Hindi naman ako taimtim na nananalangin. Palagay niyo?
*****
Back in the day, we lived all the best physical, moral and spiritual values imbibed in us by the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. The centre of the celebration was always the Nativity and all the greatest things it represented – humility, charity, hope and above all, faith.
Let us make Christmas a huge event in December, and the whole year through, filled with spiritual purpose.
Call it exclusivity or by another alien description, but we should — wherever and whenever – be Home for Christmas.
Start by greeting each other Maligayang Pasko or Merry Christmas or both.
Remember to always Keep CHRIST in Christmas.
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Lolo: Apo, why do you look like a clown with twisted horns?
Grandchild: Ayayay, Lolo. I am Rudolph.
Lolo: Then why are you not with Sleepy, Grumpy, Bashful, Happy, Sneezy and Doc?
Grandchild: Those are dwarfs, Lolo. I am a reindeer.
Lolo: But the TV news said it would snow, dear.
Grandchild: Merry Christmas, Lolo.
*****
And if you are asking about Dopey, I’d refer you to the President of the Philippines.
Keep in mind: Endless Joy and Kindness. Merry Christmas, kabayan. butchgalicia@yahoo.com