| For most of us brought up in Western | | | | wanted to eat any time, and from anywhere. I |
| societies, Christmas long ago became a | | | | knew, too, that the family whose food I ate |
| commercial extravaganza. Over recent decades | | | | for lunch, was even poorer than that of my |
| the commercial impetus has intensified, with | | | | friend. That family would be going hungry |
| Christmas coming to the shops earlier and | | | | that evening, which made me appreciate the |
| earlier, until now it arrives in full frontal | | | | hospitality so much I can never forget |
| mode, as soon as the kids go back to school | | | | it.When it comes to the approach to |
| after the summer holidays.Each decade that | | | | Christmas, Filipinos lap it all up. They have |
| has passed since the 1950's has seen bigger, | | | | a festive fun loving spirit anyway, so |
| brighter and more extravagant Christmas | | | | Christmas is just another excuse. As in the |
| decorations, both indoors and outdoors. For | | | | UK, the start of September starts the |
| those who love Christmas lights and other | | | | countdown to Christmas Day, in the stores and |
| decor, that's great, but there's another side | | | | on TV. On September 1 here I was woken at 5am |
| to the story. Decorating the home has become | | | | by some distant, but rather loud, music. Once |
| an obligation, which for the very poor can be | | | | I had come to my senses, I realised it was |
| something of a problem, as neighbours and | | | | Christmas music. I assumed then it was an |
| friends try to outdo each other.Perhaps the | | | | individual with a new CD, and that it would |
| greater problem, though, can be with | | | | be a one off. However, I was wrong. It is now |
| Christmas gifts. Children have developed | | | | mid November as I write this, and that music |
| greater and greater expectations over the | | | | (yes, exactly the same) is played every day. |
| years, and this brings with it pressures on | | | | Now, I realise it is not an individual at |
| adults, and parents in particular, to pile as | | | | all, but coming from a nearby military base. |
| many gifts as possible under the Christmas | | | | Each morning, a bugle blasts out the First |
| tree, whether they can afford it or not. | | | | Post, and then the Christmas music is |
| Often, poorer families cannot afford it, and | | | | switched on.Despite the proliferation of |
| the financial pressures, fed by the social | | | | Christmas advertising, and music, Filipinos |
| pressures, mount as Christmas Day nears. All | | | | do not seem to succumb to any pressure to |
| these pressures are fueled, of course, by | | | | spend too much money over Christmas. There is |
| intense advertising from September through to | | | | no expectation of any gift, and I am sure |
| December 25. It is little wonder that the | | | | many children never get an Xmas gift in there |
| days after Christmas are a peak time for | | | | lives. Yet, people make the most of Christmas |
| family break ups.Due to the fact that most | | | | in their own way, and it is an important |
| Western children expect some wonderful | | | | family time. The Christianity of the |
| Christmas gifts, it is no surprise to many | | | | Philippines is probably far stronger than any |
| when they get them. Sadly, many will never | | | | Western country, so the religious |
| learn to fully appreciate the acts of giving | | | | significance of Christmas is still |
| and receiving gifts. Once a gift becomes a | | | | paramount.The combination of Filipino |
| routine obligation, it is no longer a gift, | | | | generosity, and lack of expectation of a |
| but a token. True generosity cannot be found | | | | Christmas gift, led me to write a Christmas |
| in such tokens.Hopefully, many poor and rich | | | | story last year. I have learnt much about |
| families will have a meaningful and enjoyable | | | | generosity and kindliness since I came here, |
| Christmas in the UK, where I come from, and | | | | and for that I have the Filipino nature to |
| in the US. Poor families in particular will | | | | thank. In a way, the story was a way of |
| find the financial pressures strongest, but | | | | encapsulating what I had learnt, and to admit |
| it may well be that the poorer children will | | | | that Western adults can learn an awful lot, |
| be the more appreciative.Maybe some rich | | | | even from a Filipino child. The story, aimed |
| families will experience the fate of a | | | | at adults and older children, tells of a 7 |
| birthday gift to a teenage friend of my son | | | | year old girl, living in a nipa hut on the |
| in England. On receiving a top of the range | | | | edge of the Palawan rain forest, who has |
| hi-fi system, probably worth about $3000, as | | | | never had a Christmas gift before; never |
| a gift, he trashed it a week later, simply | | | | expected one, and never complained. When she |
| because he was bored. I suspect it is less | | | | finally does receive a gift, one that she |
| likely that a teenager from a poor family | | | | knows with certainty came from Santa Claus, |
| would do the same.Christmas in the | | | | she is faced with what most Western children |
| Philippines Since 2000, all my Christmases | | | | would find as a terrible dilemma. The action |
| have been spent here in the Philippines. | | | | she took expresses the true spirit of |
| After moving here, I soon found what true | | | | Christmas and true generosity, in typical |
| poverty was, and that, despite all the moans, | | | | Filipino fashion.One thing Filipinos do |
| there is no real poverty in the UK. The | | | | splash out their sparse cash on is Christmas |
| "poor" of the UK and US would pass as rich in | | | | decorations, especially Christmas lights. It |
| the Philippines.My life has been enriched in | | | | seems even the poorest of homes will try to |
| many ways through spending 6 years here, and | | | | spread a bit of Christmas cheer with lights |
| getting to understand Filipinos and their way | | | | from November onwards, and very nice they |
| of life. I have been touched by the | | | | look too. Puerto Princesa, where we live, is |
| generosity of the very poor, having visited | | | | already preparing for its Christmas display |
| many ordinary, spartan homes of the | | | | and events this year. We cannot wait to see |
| desperately poor. For example, one morning I | | | | what will be added to the wonderful displays |
| paid a visit to the mother of a friend. She | | | | of last December. Poor or not, gifts or not, |
| had no food in the home, and I knew the | | | | Christmas has its own tropical magic in the |
| family were often short of food and went | | | | Philippines.Make the most of Christmas this |
| hungry. Unbeknown to me, though, a neighbour | | | | year with Giant Outdoor Christmas Decorations |
| was preparing what little food her family had | | | | and Nativity Scenes. Have a wonderful |
| to ensure that I had lunch, despite the fact | | | | Christmas and a very prosperous New Year. |
| that they knew I could go and buy what I | | | | |