There is this Filipino Christmas song that is written in Tagalog that starts out with the following lyrics:

Pasko na Naman
O Kay Tulin ng Araw
Paskong Nagdaan
Tila ba kung kailan lang
Ngayon Pasko …..

The song does not translate too well in English. At least my version. The lines speak of Christmas and how the days past quickly and its Christmas time once again. And so it is. Today is the 24th of December 2007 - Christmas Eve.

The girl who has been signing Christmas ditties since November tagged me and so here it is.

So what is it about Christmas in the Philippines that makes it memorable - on the personal and cellular level?

It is not the climate. Even though its the tropics and a nice place to be in. And there seems to be a infestation of plastic pine trees all around, No it is not.

It certainly is not the annual lemming like rush to the Malls resulting in clogged roadways and thoroughafres - which oddly and ironically mimics the state of one’s heart after two to three weeks of Christmas gourmand. No it is not.

In my mind, what makes Christmas in the Philippines memorable for me is something personal and cellular. It is the people and the memory we share with people we call family and friends. And this is because family and friends are a great part of those memories.

It is the memory of smell. The smell of the never-ending line of fruit cakes given away on Christmas and being served each house one goes to. It is also the smell of food one slaves over to prepare for the Noche Buena - it may be the simple spahetti or a turkey cooked Spanish Style.

It is the memory of taste. The cornucopia of food and their impact on the taste buds is outstanding. Christmas sweets guaranteed to make one diabetic. Holiday food designed to make one fat. The sweet and sour taste of alcohol that seems to flow during Christmas.

It is the memory of sight. The never ending sight of Christmas Lanterns that shine every night. At one time an evangelist cane over during Christmas and expressed shocked over what he saw. In his eyes he saw the street, buildings and houses with Pentagrams or our Parol. Then of course he calmed down after it was explained to him that they were representation of the Star of Bethlehem and not the star used in the Occult.

It is the memory of sound. The never ending Christmas Carols. And the assorted array of carolers from children, visitors from the North, and brass bands. Then there is the worst and most loathsome Christmas Tagalog Song that will never be mentioned but involves a boy at point of crying - They still play it from time to time and there even is a disco version.

Most important of all is the sound of the talk or the conversation.

It is the memory of touch. The gift wrapper that is about to be opened. The hand shake and hug at each gathering. The kiss between lovers, friends and family. And even the occassional handshake between foes. It is Christmas.

All in all these memories have been planted in my, our, memories irregardless of the place - however beautiful or ugly the place or country maybe.A place is a place it is the people and the memories that make it special.

We are the sum of all these interactions - good and bad. It cannot be helped bad things happen. The nice thing about is though is that good things happen.

Sons and daughters
Family
Friends who are family
and
Friends

And that my friends is what makes Christmas memorable for me. And even though it is Pasko Na Naman, with all its stress and joy. I still like. People and friends like you make it special.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Peace to One and All!

Subscribe to baratillo @ cubao