Spirit of Christmas: Hope amidst Tragedy
This article will not be about glorifying the resiliency of us Filipinos nor romanticizing our ‘productivity’ in this pandemic, rather the reality that we are all under desperate measures. Because as much as we want to stay positive in these times, we cannot disregard the fact that we are all living under constant fear of what might happen next. More often than not, when life gives us lemons, we don’t have the means to make lemonades.
Recently, a Super Typhoon hit the Phillippines; Typhoon Rolly was label as the world’s most powerful tropical cyclone in 2020. It left great destruction and damage in its path, primarily the Bicol province. In just a week or two, another typhoon stormed the whole of Luzon, causing great floods in numerous areas.
These are not just yet. COVID-19 remains rampant all over the world, with a rising 403 thousand in the country; and a terrifying 52.1 million worldwide. What’s saddening is the promised mass testing by the government last April 2020 is nowhere near reality. With the hopes rising that the said vaccine of Pfizer/BioNtech will be in effect by next year brings us light, there is no absolute certainty still.
I could go on with writing about all tragedies 2020 has brought to us. However, I’d stop myself from adding more misery than there already is. Instead, what’s truly unique about Filipino culture is what I’d like to give the highlight to — Spirit of Christmas. Yes, among all other cultures I know of, it’s only in the Philippines you’ll see Christmas celebrated as early as September. As soon as September 1 hits, we’ll be hearing the silvery comforting voice of Jose Mari Chan as he serenades us with his famous Christmas songs, and the internet would be teeming with Jose Mari Chan memes. There’s this thing about Christmas in the Philippines that make it so memorable. Everyone would get jiggly and ecstatic as soon as the 100 days countdown would begin, Christmas lights would wrap around trees outside, and the cooling breeze of Christmas will make everyone snuggle up in their holiday pajamas and sweaters.
It’s the Spirit of Christmas that brings hope to all, it gives this sense of assurance that everything will be alright, and the storm will soon pass. No tragedy will ever dampen this culture of ours. In light of all the catastrophes, let us extend this hope to those affected by the events. We’re all clinging to the better days, and hope, how little it may be, goes a long way.
