pasko ng pinoy

i was on a bus around the airport area when my classmate directed my attention to a line of trees whose trunks were surrounded by red christmas lights. interesting, she said and i agreed. it was indeed pretty but bragging aside, it looked plain compared to how the trees along araneta center would glitter at night during the christmas season. at that time, i felt like a messiah wanting to bring everyone to the philippines to see how the messy streets of manila would transform into a sea of lights at night bringing a feeling of happiness to passersby.

iba daw talaga tayo magcelebrate ng pasko. at mukha ngang totoo. december 1 na pero hindi ko pa nafifeel ang pasko dito. maliban sa sermon ng pari pag linggo, parang walang masyadong reminder na uy, malapit na pasko. yes i know, christmas is not about material things but the shallow me gets easily amazed by christmas lights and feels good whenever i see those twinkling tiny bright dots amidst the dark night. what else do i miss about christmas back home?

(from google images) the giant christmas tree at araneta center. by now, the giant christmas tree would have been lighted. if you look at it from afar, it may not be that grand but when you stand at the base of it, it provides a different kind of glow, a magical one that uplifts every person's mood. hay i miss cubao in general.

the christmas carollers! one of my housemates mentioned about how some pinoys were caught carolling in malaysia and how the public was warned about them. i admit i have an incomplete info on this and what i know might be inaccurate but if ever they were legitimate christmas carollers, the reaction is just crazy. for those who are unfamiliar about the tradition, its just like trick or treating during halloween except that this one is done during christmas and instead of kids just showing at your doorsteps asking for a treat, they actually exert some effort and sing a song or two or more in exchange for loose coins. and giving is purely voluntary (although be prepared to hear some nasty comments if you choose not to give). if theyre happy with whatthey get, they would sing back "thank you, thank you, ang babait ninyo (youre so kind), thank you". otherwise they would sing "thank you, thank you ang babarat ninyo (youre so stingy) thank you". i dont think the kids are really after the money but what theyre looking after is receiving a sort of reward after belting out to their lung's content. for the past few years, i have chosen to give candies/food instead of money to carollers and they dont mind it.
and its not just kids who do it. individual adults and organizations do too.

i think this is the ue chorale/choir when they visited mr bautista's office last christmas

ang mga parol at christmas decors. i miss marveling at them and making them.
binge eating at christmas parties. heaven!


(images from google)

relaxed atmosphere at work after parties with the freedom to drink and play games.


bonus. ham & cheese.

lunch/dinner out.


gift wrapping. i love wrapping gifts even if my skill is limited to wrapping them neatly with no elaborate designs.

giving gifts especially to kids. the cool weather! how could i forget that. i love

walking from 15th ave to cubao mrt station with no single drop of sweat on my face.

cleaning the house and setting up the christmas tree although i havent done the latter for a long time now.

coffee sessions with friends and collecting the starbucks stickers.
planning for christmas menu.

cooking.

waking up my grumpy dad during christmas eve =) merry christmas dy. we'll surely have a different christmas this year.

christmas day when nephews and nieces would come over to the house to get their gifts

at marami pang iba