It is a universal fact that sports fans will never tire of rooting for their teams.
Even if the Raptors seem to miss the hometown hoop, I still believe that in the long 82-game season, a place in the playoffs is still in their sights. Konting kayod pa, .500 na.
I am a never-say-die fan. Peks man! Makulam man ang tambay sa convenience store na laging nakasimangot.
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My fascination likewise goes to men and women who proudly wear a sports jersey or uniform to collectively represent a school, a place, a country – no matter the odds and the outcomes.
People who embrace individual excellence and teamwork in games are assured of my awe.
Discipline in friendly competitions, unconditional displays of sportsmanship, and moments when the victorious remain humble and when the defeated remain magnanimous will always get my utmost respect.
Now, you know why I dislike politicians. If ever the International Olympic Committee includes politics in the Games, then they may as well include gunrunning as a sport.
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Diplomatic boycott? A boycott is a boycott is a boycott, kahit tumambling pa nang patiwarik ang mga pulitiko.
Walang diplomasya sa boycott. Parang sinabing civil war; walang civility sa digmaan.
Country leaders who want to negate the notion that the world has become smaller, where interdependence among nations has gained headway, may do as they wish.
They just have to remember that lessons may be learned from the impact and backlash of past such boycotts.
Political ploys to arbitrarily and unilaterally make an Olympic Games host look bad are never diplomatic.
Making the Games appear dirty is simply wrong.
Re-inventing and re-engineering the spirit of the Games to suit political ideologies has always gone awry. Politics will only rear its ugly head on athletes.
Come to think of it. Has anyone pouted and sulked when politicians did not attend any of the Olympics since way back then? By the way, do politicians deserve freebies and complimentary tickets to go and see the Olympics? Kawawa and pathetic naman sila, hanggang blah-blah-blah na lang.
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At kailan pa nangyari sa Olympics na nakasali at nanguna ang mga pulitiko sa parada ng mga Dakilang Atleta’t Manlalaro ng mundo?
Last time I checked web-based references, the Olympic Games was said to have started as religious and athletic, not political, festivals conducted every four years in Olympia, Greece.
How did it keep politics out of the stadium? It was said that all conflicts among participating city-states were postponed until the Games were finished. This was known as the Olympic peace or truce.
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Did you know that on Christmas Eve in 1914, at the height of World War I, a symbolic moment of peace and humanity happened between soldiers of opposing sides fighting at the Western Front?
A snippet of war history recorded that as British troops alertly crouched in the trenches that evening, they heard the German enemy singing Stille Nacht, heilege Nacht, Alles schläft; einsam wach (Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright).
Soon, they were in unison with each other. Nur das traute hochheilige Paar (Round yon Virgin Mother and Child); Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar (Holy Infant, so tender and mild); Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh! Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh! (Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace).
Silent Night was one Christmas carol the soldiers from both sides knew from the heart.
It was composed by Franz Xaver Gruber in 1818 to lyrics by Joseph Mohr; and was first performed during the Mass on the night of December 24. The carol has since been translated into about 140 languages.
Weary from the war, the English and German sides found their holiday respite. They laid down their guns and stretched out of the trenches. Soldiers in khaki and grey uniforms exchanged pleasantries and gifts of cigarettes, wine and biscuits. On a silent night, a fleeting Christmas miracle happened.
It is indeed a blessing to experience and feel the real magic of Bethlehem’s Star of Peace, as it brought angels, kings, and shepherds together to witness a humble yet Divine Nativity on a bright, calm, holy and silent night.
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Peace on earth to men of goodwill. God’s choir of angels intoned these words eons ago, on the night Jesus Christ was born. Up to this day, this angelic message echoes on. It brings hope to the many who wish to turn right side up a world gone upside down.
The Christmas message of meaningful and lasting world peace is attainable. People who seek peace outnumber those who incite conflict.
Why worry about the world’s unending tales of woe? I wish we could all ignore a prevailing notion that society has become so messed up that everybody wants to impose a so-and-so right but no one wants to be responsible; and worse, nobody wants to be accountable when things go wrong.
Are you with me for a Christmas miracle?
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What do I want for Christmas? Certainly not two front teeth, a hippopotamus or being run over by reindeers.
Endless Joy and Kindness should satisfy me; the kind of EJK that should fill every beating human heart.
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I’ve been longing to be home for Christmas. The November 28 snowfall did not start the longing. It began as early as September,
But with all the travel health protocols and restrictions and the doubts and uncertainties surrounding the Delta and Omicron variants of Covid-19, I am limited this Yuletide 2021 to just recall how we celebrate Christmas and the season of Advent.
We used to:
- Put up a Belen in a conspicuous spot in the living room,
- Look at and be in awe of the Parol and the coloured lights that adorned homes.
- Attend the Simbang Gabi and the concluding Mass of the Christ.
- Sing Christmas songs and share Christmas stories.
- Gather around the table for the Noche Buena with family (a.k.a. the clan to the nth degree).
- Do Kris Kringles and exchange gifts during Christmas get-togethers.
- Go carolling, spread holiday cheer to friends, neighbours and strangers.
- Sit outside and gaze at the North Star and the vast bright expanse up above, waiting and hoping for the Grand Coming of the Saviour.
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While sprucing up the Christmas tree, my granddaughter asked me: “Lolo, what is the X in Xmas?”
“Oh, the X? It’s the … ahhh … yes … X is the manger where Jesus Christ was born,” I replied.
“So if Jesus was born there, why can’t I see the baby Jesus in the X?” she asked.
“Spell Christmas right …,” I said as I wrote C-H-R-I-S-T-mas on a piece of paper and showed it to her “… and the baby Jesus will be there. It never was or would be Xmas. It is and will always be Christmas.”
“Lolo, I know why baby Jesus is not in the X. Mama said He is in my heart,” she said.
“Amen! Christmas is about Christ … in our hearts. That’s the way it should always be, my dear,” I said.
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The Nativity of Jesus Christ and all the greatest virtues the event proclaims – humility, charity, hope and above all, faith – will always be the focus of the Christmas celebration.
Remember to always keep CHRIST in Christmas.
Above all: Peace on earth and to all men of goodwill. Merry CHRISTmas! #####
