by Fayrouz Omar, Llianah Marie Mora, and Hezel Ann Sulan
Nothing could cause Filipinos to cease their passion for celebrating Christmas—it's as if we possess something so common that we are, as it were, standing together to celebrate the occasion just 115 days before it. We dedicate a season where our hearts lie steady, in a scene so beautiful and heavenly that only the soft and uninterrupted melody of Christ’s birth is heard in every corner.
Ber-months came rapidly—striking us with awe and enthusiasm of what's about to occur. And while the flickering lights change their hues from red, white, and green; the repetitive Christmas carols heavily ring every ear.
As Christmas decorations add up to the attraction of the holiday, some may still see themselves looking back to how they're gleefully indulged in the luxuries of life back then—innocently wonderful as they wander in a life where Christmas is continuously enjoyed.
Graphics by Michael Angelo Villanueva
The beginning of something spectacular
There it is. The face of Jose Mari Chan peeking from behind the corners—almost as if he became the trademark for the upcoming months—blended with the memes on my Facebook timeline, the Christmas songs that replaced the pop music of artists on the radio, and the stores inside the malls that were not covered with red, green, and white were now twinkling with vivid lights. There’s no doubt—Christmas has started!
The Philippines holds the record for celebrating Christmas the longest. The moment the clock strikes September 1, all the farewells for August start to simmer down, and the songs we become familiar with start to dwindle along the breeze of Christmas air. I would watch the television as the Christmas countdown began, and a realization would wash over me: there were 115 days until Christmas, each day drawing us closer to the season of joy.
Perhaps it’s not the exact 100 days we were looking for—Filipinos could definitely not wait for an exact 100-day countdown! And that is fine, because what lies ahead to kickstart the Ber-months are the Christmas nostalgia, the carols forgotten for half of the year but still remembered fondly nonetheless, and the months to rekindle bonds whose sparks were lost are etched into holiday memories.
Simmer down, Christmas!
The Christmas fever starts to simmer down, and I have long forgotten about the countdowns.
There is no time to watch the television while munching on warm dinners after coming home from school, no time to even pay attention to the Christmas songs that have become repetitive. For some reason, the decorations and reminders of upcoming holidays start to dwindle yet again. But Christmas is still there, in its remaining fragments—continuously kindling hope and love of what is to come.
At this time of the year, the Christmas caroling—one of the most riveting traditions during Christmas—will eventually start to reach its peak. Songs will come to visit our homes, accompanied by a couple of barks from dogs we own, yet we welcome them nonetheless. Despite these constant reminders that Christmas is drawing near, there are still 85 days to go, and the anticipation only grows stronger. It is still far after all.
But it’s just too early! And all the early preparations for Christmas slowly have lost their spark. There are still so many things left to do—there is still Halloween that will come by the next month, we go to school each day, work from 9-5, and even a graveyard shift, while what lingers on the radio are the Christmas songs we become familiar with, as if they're the only melodies bound to be injected into our veins.
Halfway through, drawing near…?
Finished lighting up candles, absorbing the solemnity of silence, and buying flowers stuck on floral foams—November has come to pass. The Christmas hype has taken its break, paving the way for remembering those who have passed, and those who have left a legacy. There’s no doubt that November stands as a recess to all the jolly preparations of holidays.
And along with that, we come to realize that Christmas is finally drawing near. All the Christmas songs are starting to make sense. Families come to stores and decorate Christmas trees, hang lights on each branch and window, and give pennies willingly to people who sing in our humble abodes for fun and remembrance. There are only 54 days, and we are halfway through!
And halfway… halfway. Since when did Christmas draw so near, and why did it take so long to realize the signs?
The early celebrations, the traditions, the joy—they’re all still there, just as they’ve always been. But perhaps we are not the same as we once were. The magic of Christmas doesn’t fade; it’s our ability to see it that does. As we grow older, the responsibilities, the distractions, and the pressures of life can overshadow the simple pleasures that once made this season so special.
But if we pause, even for a moment, to truly see the lights, to listen to the music, to feel the warmth of the season, we might just find that the magic is still there, waiting to be rediscovered. If we find the time to appreciate the little experiences that make the season so special, maybe it will start to feel magical again.
Christmas is still the same, but we are not anymore. At least, not the same as how we were kids before.
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