Christmas nostalgia, family traditions and celebs’ thoughts on the season

December 24 ------ Families gather together during Christmas to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the real reason for this Yuletide season. Preparations for the holidays begin as early as September. A dazzling array of lights has decorated our houses and the malls. There are annual Christmas tree lighting events in various places in the country. Policarpio Street in Mandaluyong City is one of the most visited streets during the holiday season because of the grandiose display of lights that illuminate every house and transform the street into a festive fairyland for kids and kids at heart.

My Christmas nostalgia takes me back to my beloved hometown, Borongan, Eastern Samar, during my childhood days. I would help Tatay make a traditional parol by using bamboo sticks, covering the star frame with colored cellophane, and decorating the two tails with papel de hapon. Then put the lantern above the window, as if guiding the three wise men to our humble abode. The parol was simple but enough to warm the hearts and bring joy to our family.

Nanay and Mana Fe would prepare food such as adobo, fruit salad, pancit, embotido, salukara or sagmani for noche buena and Christmas. Salukara is a traditional rice cake in Borongan made from ground rice, brown sugar, coconut milk and tuba (coconut sap), which gives this specialty a slight sour taste. Sagmani is also a kakanin and is made from grated gabi, peanuts, rice flour, young coconut and unrefined sugar, then steamed in a coconut shell.

Our family was always grateful to God for our simple but scrumptious “salu-salo.” The next day, we would have a picnic in nearby baybay (shoreline), where I enjoyed feeling the sand between my toes and frolicked in the rolling waves like an unshackled mermaid. The holiday season becomes more special because it is meant to be shared with our loved ones. I asked some celebrities what Christmas means to them beyond gifts and Yuletide decorations. Here are their answers:

Bianca Gonzalez: “In this season of my life, Christmas is about being with those I love the most, spending quality time with family, and having quiet time for myself to reflect on the year that was and the year ahead. I now realize that Christmas as a celebration is really for and made joyful by the children around us, who embody what peace, love and joy is.”

Christine Babao: “The real reason for the season is Jesus. The birth of Baby Jesus. Reminding us to reflect on the humility of His Birth, yet He is the King of Kings. Happy birthday, Jesus.”

Jake Macapagal: “Christmas to me? When people who’ve been distant to each other all year suddenly hug. When one ‘Let’s eat’ fixes every grudge. That’s Christmas, not the gifts. Just presence. Family. Off-key carols but still together. Happy Christmas!”

Nikka and Patrick Garcia: “Christmas means the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!”

Nikki Valdez: “Christmas is my favorite time of the year because family time is precious and priceless. Also, it is celebrating the birth of Jesus, from Whom all good things come from. He is not only the giver but the best gift we can receive this season.”

Alex Calleja: “Christmas is really a time to celebrate with family. Ito ang mga panahon kung saan finally pwede na mag-usap ang magkapamilyang nagkatampuhan o hindi nagpapansinan. Kaya madalas marinig ang ‘Pasko naman eh.’ Maybe dahil sa ito ang birth ni Jesus at dito rin sinasabi ang Peace on Earth kaya dapat magkabati na ang magkakaaway. Ewan ko kung ako lang, pero kapag Pasko, marami ang nagkakabati. Kaya ang Pasko for me is forgiving.”

Sam Oh: “Christmas means ‘gathering to Christ’ and since Jesus is the Word made flesh, the true meaning of Christmas for me is in meditating on how Jesus came as the fulfillment of God’s promises in the Bible and what is still to come. It fills me with a kind of hope and joy that this world could never give, and there is no greater gift.”

Therese Malvar: “Christmas is really a time for all of us to get together. During this season, we really make it a point to spend most of our time with family – from reunions to simple Christmas parties. It is where we really catch up on the busyness of each of our lives. It’s what I always look forward to. Nostalgia always hits whenever December comes, because I would remember all the childhood activities that we do during Christmas. To relive that, we also do movie marathons! (Like watching ‘Home Alone,’ ‘Harry Potter,’ ‘Honey I Shrunk the Kids,’ etc.) Always a fun time with family plus I love gift-giving, too!”

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!

Source: gmanetwork.com