Monday, December 18, 2006

It's so Festive here in the Philippines

This is my second Christmas in the Philippines. It certainly is a different feeling when you're away from home during Christmas. But I've made new friends here in the Philippines, and they've become my new family. Last night, one of my best friends invited me to his company's Christmas party at TGI Fridays, and it was a night to remember. People were very happy and friendly, and despite the problems they may face daily, they were all happy to see each other or to meet new people.

Compared to the US, Filipinos celebrate Christmas with a bang. In the US, it seems more commercialized. But here, even the smallest house with a tin roof and unfinished walls has a Christmas decoration of some sort. There are lights everywhere. Then there are parties everywhere. People rehearse their dances, their songs, their performances. It's colorful, it's joyful, it's festive.

I come from a city of lights. Las Vegas. Neon lights everywhere, and the city is always awake. Twentyfour hours, seven days a week, there is always something to see or do in Las Vegas. That means I should be used to the lights by now. Well, I'm still fascinated with all these Christmas decorations I see at the malls, the high rise buildings, houses. I am more amazed in seeing the Christmas lights in the ghettoest part of some areas. This is almost symbolic for me. That despite all the struggles these poor families go through, they have joy in their hearts. They have hope. The lights shine from these humble homes as a beacon of hope.

Merry Christmas Pinoy.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yup, that's the thing about Pinoys. Nothing will stop them from celebrating Christmas...

Anonymous said...

That's a good thing for Filipinos. Despite the downward economy, and the present (sobs) situation in our country, we COULD still afford to decorate our houses with... christmas lights!

haha! san ka pa!

aaaaaaand well. almost everyone have their own cellphone. :P wala lang.

Aja said...

Your post really warms the heart. Made me realize I have so much to be happy about this season. Merry Christmas to you! :)

Anonymous said...

awww...I know how it is when its christmas over there. I'm thankful that I atleast got to experience that, when I was a little girl. I miss it alot. I'd love to spend christmas there one day,maybe next year eh?;)

Anonymous said...

Oh I forgot to put my name up there...hehehe:)

Anonymous said...

I would go caroling from neighbor to neigbor with my friends. I'd have my jingle bells with me and pretend I was singing along with the rest of the kids. I remember seeing all the lights on the streets and lots of people at the mall just walking around. My family would take me to see the COD christmas puppet show every year,telling the story of christmas. There would be a whole lot of people watching as well. I'd always look forward to that. Do they still have it on now? Then on christmas day my mom would take me to church with them and I'd come home with a ballon on one hand and that golly I forgot the name of that snack. It's a long round biscuit thingy. But they sell it here. That used to be my favorite. Off course we dont have presents waiting at the house to be opened but just the whole christmas spirit there would be enough for me to enjoy and appreciate even till now=)