Countdown To Christmas

[Medic Mike]

Sunday, November 3, 2013

HALLOWEEN is over and the Philippines officially starts its long Christmas season. This early, grocery stores are already displaying Christmas gift packs, to entice all those who intend to buy gifts to shop early.

The gift packs, however, becomes a stark reminder of all those who are in need and may not be able to celebrate a festive Christmas because of circumstances beyond their control.

They are the people of Zamboanga City who lost their homes and means of livelihood in the armed conflict in September 2013.

They are the people of Bohol and Cebu who had to contend with the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in October 2013.

The shakes are continuing, probably loosening up more soil and weakening more structures, and the rains too are here in bigger volumes than ever.

As we then move closer to Christmas, may we set aside a portion of our gifts to share for all of those in need.

Donor fatigue is real. We can see that in the turnout of donations as disaster after disaster strikes, but we shouldn’t give up. There are thousands who never imagined they will be near begging for help. Let each and every day that we are in a position to help that we are lucky indeed for we are not the ones in who need help.

The adage “It’s better to give than to receive” takes on a new meaning here. For indeed, it is indeed a blessing to be given the means to give than to be rendered helpless and will have to wait for our turn to receive.

Let this countdown to Christmas also be a countdown to greater generosity on our part as we always keep in

 

[brock]

People think why should they bother when their own government doesn't care about them.

It is the same in England, Everyday we get adverts begging for money to help great ormond street childrens hospital, Because children are not getting the help that is needed and thousand are dying everyday,,,,,But our country gives millions away every day to other countries, That really pisses me off....look after your own first.

[JJReyes]

Christmas in the Philippines starts on August 1st with the radio stations playing Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" and variations of "Jingle Bell" including the one by the Chipmunks. During a bad economy year, Christmas is delayed to September 1st. Merchants in the United States tried something similar by promoting Summer Christmas, but the consuming public did not increase their spending.  

 

The official start among Catholics is the "Missa de Gallo" or "Mass of the Rooster" because it starts before dawn. It's quite festive as churchgoers purchase breakfast goodies from vendors before they return home. The air is cool and vendor stall lighting comes from candles or kerosene lamps using coke bottles.

 

The family practice when we were young was "Aguinaldo." Police officers, firemen, garbage collectors and municipal workers would show up at the gate and my father would give them gift packets with small amounts of money. The money was always brand new crisp bills. Sometimes they showed up as carolers singing off-key, "We wish you a Merry Christmas." The Aguinaldo extended to others such as the service staff at a restaurant we frequented and the bank branch tellers. Service was always excellent the following year.

 

Our school would have food drives. All students were expected to donate rice and canned goods for distribution to poor families. Actually, the teachers would shame you. You had to go up to the front of the class and present your donations. There was a strong sense of competition. Those who did not have any rice and canned goods would be called to give an explanation. Catholic schools are very big on guilt.

Edited November 3, 2013 by JJReyes

[earthdome]

There is the tradition starting soon of carolers going from house to house singing Christmas songs mostly off key until you give them a few pesos.

[MikeB]

Once the word gets out you are giving away money you will get no peace. A couple weeks ago there was a kid yelling "Merry Christmas" at me from the gate expecting some money. He may still be waiting. This year I'm removing the batteries from the door alarm, it sounds ridiculous but not after what we went through last year, especially with a baby.

[paulus]

There is the tradition starting soon of carolers going from house to house singing Christmas songs mostly off key until you give them a few pesos.

 

Oh No!!!!!!! How many peso is right amount? If I give too many they will be back coz I'm rich, if not enough they will be back coz they expected more.

 

OMFSM!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dave Hounddriver]

How many peso is right amount?

 

Just one more peso.  Whatever you give they will want just one more.  And if you continue to give anything at all, they will eventually be back with their parents, grandparents, sisters and brothers, teachers and religious leaders, all singing in harmony at your gate looking for that 'just one more peso'.  I wrote from first hand experience on more than one occasion but I give generously when that many show up at the gate and say its for the Church or the School.

[Tukaram (Tim)]

The christmas season has just really gotten started... and I am ready to go to Thailand until January! And if they are waiting for me to give them a peso - they will be waiting a long time!   

 

Buddhism makes so much more sense to me ha ha.

[Papa Carl]

I started several years ago, putting my change in a bottle at the end of August, as this was the beginning of the "ber months" (September, October, November, and December) as this appears to be Christmas here in the Philippines, to start saving for this exact purpose. However....,

 

I used it for my daughters "emergency fund", which we used to pay the bills etc. (and I have to replace or Chiya will never get to school).

 

This year, instead of replacing the batteries on the door bell, I am going to hook it up to a recording of the most vicious sounding dog I can find, and hope that this will scare them all away, until maybe a week before Christmas, when I will replace it with a recording of me singing Christmas Carols to them!!!!!! (Hopefully this also will scare the rest away!)

 

 

Papa Carl

[JJReyes]

Let's get back to the spirit of the original post. How can we help the community? It could be financial or goods and services. I would consider one or two cases of San Miguel beer for the local barangay police force for their Christmas party as an appropriate gift. Maybe a box filled with old clothes or items you no longer need. Have your wife or gf explain to whoever is in charge that you prefer to remain anonymous. Everyone will know about the donation, but anonymous is equivalent to, "Don't bother me." 

 

The amount can be small, actually at the micro-level. My wife's generosity is directed towards street working children. They are selling sampaguita leis or trinkets to supplement family income. She would pretend to haggle, but end up paying what the children asked. Then she would add P50 or P100 and say, "Merry Christmas." The smiles on their faces are worth it. This is an random act of kindness they will remember. 

Edited November 4, 2013 by JJReyes