wishes granted

I've been living here in France for almost 5 years (precisely by June 2006) and it's been my long envie that I would like to have a CHRISTMAS TREE at home. I remember when I was a child my Mom used to decorate the house with a christmas tree made of dried branches of small tree, cotton, cartons & aluminum foil (we always dreamed of a white christmas) with the holy family beside and a little parol (lantern). Wondering how it feels to have a white Christmas with a snowman as part of the house christmas decorations. Now that I live in France and have the chance to experience white Christmas, I thought it would be something joyful and more meaningful but to my surprise Christmas in the Philippines is incomparable.

This is my first Christmas tree, at last....my wish is granted !!! please do not laugh because I am not artistic neither imaginative, just simply giving a pleasure for my husband & children. My concern to transfer this wonderful traditions to them!

In the Philippines Christmas is the most anticipated occassion ever and is celebrated accordingly. For us Filipinos, it is a time for sharing, giving, forgiving and most especially family reunions and the likes. It is true that there is no winter therefore, there is no snow and no white Christmas at all, no pine tress (except in Baguio wherein temperature is colder than normal) but there is always the meaning of a true Christmas. Early September, christmas songs is in the air, people are starting to decorate their houses with parols made out of bamboo (star lanterns), chistmas trees, brightly colored streamers, christmas lights and the holy family. You will see carollers, with their improvised musical instruments made of empty can, sticks, plastic etc. Shoppers doing their panic buying for their sangkatutak na inaanak. Malls are full and crowded with all these promotions and affordable prices.

Parols made of bamboo.

There is also the Simbang Gabi ( Midnight Mass or Misa de Gallo) the bells in every churches would be ringing by 3:00 in the morning to encourage Filipinos to attend the mass. The Simbang Gabi starts on the night of December 15. Some says that if we are able to complete nine days of the Simbang Gabi before Christmas Eve wishes or panata will be granted, I don't know if it's true in any case we are just trying to meet up and celebrate with HIM before his birthday comes. After the Simbang Gabi, outside the church you will see vendors of puto bumbong and bibingka which are two native holiday delicasies during every Christmas.

Well, there are a lot things to say about Philippine Christmas.... whether we celebrate it in the Philippines or somewhere else depends on us how we will be able to make it merrier, joyful and successful. Of course, we always prefer to celebrate it with our family and relatives back home but we also have our family and friends to celebrate it here. Anyway Christmas is everywhere it is just a matter on how we would appreciate it.

Have a joyful Christmas to all of you !!!