Guided by a bright Star that lit the right path, three eastern Wise Men — not North Pole’s Santa Claus or a westerner — brought gifts honouring the humanity, kingship and divinity of the Christ Child, born on a manger.
Humble shepherds and the herd — not Robin Hood or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles — knelt and stood by the Baby Jesus for all that were holy and good.
An angel — not Power Rangers and X-men — proclaimed “Peace on Earth, Goodwill to All Men!”
Jesus, Mary and Joseph are of Biblical reality, not Transformers of fantasy.
For all time, humanity shall live the Nativity’s joyful message of hope and redemption.
*****
Teka! Lumipas na nga ba ang Pasko? Please naman, pigilan ninyo munang umalis. Extension … extension!
Muling ilabas ang laman ng ref. Feeling ko, hindi pa over ang walang sawang salo-salo, walang humpay na huntahan, patuloy na saya’t tawanan at walang katapusang bigayan.
Kahit paminsan-minsan na nga lang, muli’t muli nating damhin ang inaasam-asam na mainit na samahan ng mag-anak at magka-kaibigan.
Whatever, himig Pamasko pa rin ang laman ng aking bumbunan at lalamunan. Pahabol: Huli man daw at magaling, pagbati ko’y Maligayang Pasko pa rin to all and sundry.
*****
Basta! Walang kokontra! Sa nakaugalian, hanggang January 6 and beyond pa ang Christmastime!
Kahit pa itinakda ng church edict na first Sunday of January na ito nailipat, papahalagahan ko pa rin ang dakilang paglalakbay ng Tatlong Hari sa kasaysayan ng Pasko ngayong ika-anim ng Enero.
If I may recall: Masaya ang fiesta ng Three Magi nuong aming kabataan, give or take five decades ago.
May aginaldo na sa Pasko, pinalawig pa ang bigayan ng regalo hanggang unang Linggo ng buwang ito.
Ayon sa mga elders namin, Santa Claus takes care of the west end of the world; the east end, the Three What-so-evers (it becomes confusing each time the Wise Men, Kings and Magi are interchanged for one another).
The narrative also makes me feel bad for our peers sa hilaga at sa timog.
Northern kids hang stockings by the fireplace for Santa’s delivery when he slides through chimneys on Christmas eve, while children in the Philippines do a similar trick on the eve of the Feast of the Three Kings.
Back then, before we hit the banig, we place our sapatos or tsinelas, one pair per kid, near the main door, expecting goodies and kumikinang na barya at malutong na pisong papel nestling on the footwear next morning.
Advised to avoid two-timing with the shoes or slippers, we were also warned that Melchor, Gaspar and Baltazar could, like Jolly Old St. Nick, also discern the difference between naughty and nice.
One time, my brother and I kept awake all night long, curious to know who the Three Kings were.
Past midnight, after the lights went out, we saw a shadow moving about in the dark and putting things on top of shoes and slippers.
My brother excitedly whispered that the image definitely looked like our father, I insisted: Hindi si Daddy ‘yan. Sa itim niya, hindi natin siya makikita sa dilim. We shared a good but soft laugh under the kumot.
Regretfully, the experience of celebrating the Feast of the Three What-so-evers has likely met its end.
*****
Limang bugista (bihasang sumayaw ng boogie nuong araw) ang nag-uusap:
Usisa ng una: Do you remember when you last forgot?
Sagot ng pangalawa: Huh? I forgot when I last remembered.
Question ni third: Nakinig ka ba kina Kuya Eddie at Lola Basyang?
Pasintabi ng pang-apat: Hoy! Sa Sabado na ang sayawan.
Bulong ng huli: Diyaske! May rambol sa aking tiyan.
*****
What people say:
It is not hard to have enough. When there is more, it is not hard to share the spare.
It is not hard to build longer tables, nor is it hard to put down walls.
It is not hard to hug true friends and let go of toxic fiends.
It is not hard to light a candle in the dark.
It is not hard to fill in the blanks.
It is not hard to be kind and nice, to respect, to be peaceful and to love.
How come no one says that what is not hard is easy to do?
*****
No one needs to tell and know the story of any one’s life.
But when two or more are at it, the power of plurality takes over what can be done to make life better for each other and for everyone.
*****
Different times and places, different notions and perspectives, different strokes – the buffet is open.
Yet, no matter the dissimilarities, a smile can make every moment a meaningful unifying holiday. Sana all!
“You’ll find that life is still worthwhile, if you just smile.” (From the song Smile; Charlie Chaplin, music; John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons, lyrics, 1954)
*****
Paanyayang Pag-angat sa 2023:
1. Hindi ka makabibili ng away sa sari-sari store o sa mall. Just stay out of trouble.
2. Ipasa-ibon o eroplano mo na ang paglipad. But still aim for greater heights.
3. Huwag magpa-distract sa kembot. Stay focused on your task.
4. Mabagal man ang pagong, masigasig namang maglakad. Exercise for good health.
5. Bayanihan, kabayan. Practice team work.
6. Huwag maging judgmental. Take time to trust others.
7. Tapos na ang Boxing Day. Save for the snowy and rainy days.
8. Jingle lang nga ba ang pahinga? Time out muna. Rest and relax.
9. Ang nakasimangot, pangit! Always smile.
10. Abutin mo ang mga bituin, akyatin mo ang mga bundok, languyin mo ang mga dagat. Mangarap ka, libre yan. In this world, realize that nothing is impossible.
*****
New Year’s Prayer: Dear Lord: So far, I have done well. I have not gossiped, I have not lost my temper. I have not been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or overindulgent. I am very thankful for that. But in a few minutes, Lord, I am going to get out of bed. From then on, I am probably going to need a lot more help. Amen
*****
Countdown? Ano ka, pupunta sa buwan?
Sadyang go, go, go ang takbo ng araw sa kalendaryo and there seems to be no way to stop things from unfolding and moving on, so here’s a toast — tinapay and wine — for every blessing that awaits us ahead.
*****
Welcome 2023!
Willing and able ka na bang isakatuparan ang iyong mga pangarap?
Bagkus, willing and able ka na rin bang harapin ang mga pagsubok na lalantad sa iyong harapan?
Likewise, are you willing and able to help and spur others to live a blessed and meaningful life?
Good luck. Good health. God bless you.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! #####
Caption:
There will always be a moment when “We Are Family” goes beyond being a mere catchphrase and brings on the essence of kinship, friendship and community. Three family get-togethers seized that post-pandemic moment. (Photo 1) On the night of December 17, members of the Galicia Family had a Christmas reunion at Jen’s place in Canada. (Photo 2) Almost simultaneously, the De Guzman Family had a Christmas hard-hat party on the morning of December 18 (Philippine time is 12 hours ahead of Canada’s) at Jun’s place in Quezon City. (Photo 3) On Christmas Day, members of the Galicia-De Guzman Family in Toronto had their Yuletide eyeball.
Photos below
PHOTO 1:
PHOTO 2:
PHOTO 3:
