By: CORINE LEI MANANGAN GONZALES
We used to dream of a white Christmas when we were still in the Philippines especially when we were kids.
But now that we are here in the US, it seems that the snow would not compensate for the unparalleled Christmas spirit that only the Philippines has.
Here, it’s really fun to feel the snowflakes coming down your cheeks, make angel wings on the snow-covered ground and throw snow balls at each other.
We could hardly wait to make a snowman for our little boy — he’s only six months old now but he seems to appreciate the snow already.
However, playing with snow makes us miss “halo-halo” even more…
Despite the snow fun, we still wish to come home for Christmas in the coming years.
There, the holiday season starts as early as September. In which time, the Christmas countdown begins and many already put up their Christmas trees and decorate the outdoors with lots of lights and “parol” which is an authentic pinoy Christmas lantern .
What we miss even more is the simbang gabi — we don’t usually get to complete the 9-day dawn masses but it’s always worth the try. That’s when you’d really enjoy eating puto bumbong and bibingka.
It’s also fun to see little kids all over the streets at night singing carols from one house to another hoping to get even just a few coins.
But on top of it all, it’s being with the entire family during noche buena that makes Pinoy Christmas extra special.
(
Corine, husband dudz and son)
However, the family is only the second most essential element of the season. Most important of all, it’s this time of the year (and preferably all the other 364 days too) when we remember to give what is due to the REASON FOR THE SEASON.
After all, it’s His birthday that we celebrate.
Writing this blog makes me realize that though we definitely miss spending Christmas back home, the right place for Christmas is actually deep inside our hearts where our Lord resides.
So, let me be the first one to greet all of you an advance Merry Christmas !!!
and happy birthday to you Lord!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ma’am Corine as fondly called by her former students is a soft spoken but determined young woman who had decided to migrate abroad to New Mexico with her hubby – Dudz.
Looking at her petite frame, one would not guess that she had been a competent college instructor and has several educational degrees tucked under her belt – MS Micro, BSMT and is now an ASCP board passer.
Ma’am Corz, thanks for accepting the invitation to guest post in my blog.
It has been a pleasure having you here; and I hope this will not be the last.
Good luck and God bless!
