My Reflection for Christmas

It is barely a week before Christmas.

 

I was trying to wrap some gifts this morning, while watching the early morning show, Umagang Kay Ganda, when the news about the fire in Pasay City hit me. Around 250 families were left homeless after the blaze destroyed a squatter’s area in the said city yesterday afternoon. What struck me further was when the fire victims were interviewed, and appealed for some basic stuff for them to be able to live decently – water, food, banig, blankets and used clothes.

 

My heart just sank watching a young couple embracing and comforting each other while looking at their burning house. An old lady was teary-eyed as she told the reporter that she has nowhere else to go. The children were hungry.

 

What if this unfortunate event happens to us (knock on wood!)? And it is barely a week before Christmas…

 

Just last week, I wrote my last post about the many blessings I received this year. I tried counting the wonderful gifts from God, and I found it difficult to stop counting after I realized that I was indeed blessed with countless miracles. But then, after enumerating and appreciating all these blessings, where do I go next?

 

Sometimes we tend to complain about the holiday season. There is so much traffic. It is difficult to get a ride. The malls are so crowded. The schedules are so hectic because of the number of Christmas parties that need to be attended. New clothes need to be bought for the occasion. Etcetera etcetera.

 

The fire yesterday in Pasay City made me reflect on my blessings – that I should not merely count them, that I should not just appreciate them and thank the Lord for them. I think I should open my eyes wider and look at the people around me. Not everyone is as blessed as I do, and some does not even have the most basic stuff that I am enjoying. I am sitting here at the comfort of our living room, on the carpet watching tv and at the same time typing on my laptop drinking coffee – while there are people outside whose stomach are crowing.

 

I saw some aetas asking for some alms along the busy roads of Meycauayan – they do not have a decent place to sleep in. Some of my patients might not even get out of the hospital in time for Christmas. My work colleagues in Riyadh who did not get to come home this December are surely missing their families. Some of my friends who lost their loved ones this year, will surely be having a not so joyful Christmas. Carlo Cruz, who lost his wife in the Glorietta 2 blast, will be longing for the warm company of a spouse this cold holiday season.

 

I know I cannot change the world, and I cannot make every living creature in this place comfortable. But I think it would help if I start in myself being contented in what I have, and stop whining about little things. The world is not perfect and not everybody gets a very good life. I am lucky to be alive, with all the wonderful blessings around me. I may not get all that I wanted in this life, but I am getting what I needed. I think that is more important.

 

The holiday season is a time to share our blessings with the less fortunate – not just the poor – but to those who might be needing other than physical gifts. Some might be needing just a simple company, or somebody whom they can talk to. Some might need a hug and be reassured that things are going to be okay.

 

Let us, in our own simple ways, contribute in putting up smiles this Christmas season. Share a piece of yourself, a piece of your blessings.

 

 

Have a blessed Christmas.

Wishful thinking over yesterday’s boxing telecast

Just like you, guys, I watched yesterday’s boxing rematch of Manny Pacquiao and Marco Antonio Barrera. It was one hell of a fight! Pacquiao promised a war and what a war he gave! Our pambansang kamao was stronger and faster than ever. The baby-faced assassin, on the other hand, showed all the signs of an old fighter.

I have read lots of articles about yesterday’s match. They all talk about Pacquiao’s heroism. Para maiba naman,can I just comment on how GMA Channel 7 presented the much-awaited event? I have watched Pacquiao’s matches when I was abroad and watching the whole event would take only less than an hour. I nearly got bored watching the delayed telecast yesterday, especially since I already knew from the internet who was going to win. The long parade of commercial advertisements after each national anthems and after each rounds was quite irritating. Nakakabawas ng excitement yung mahabang paghihintay ng palabas.

I knew about the paid viewing  scheme in some restaurants and movie houses where one could watch the event with lesser interruptions. But of course, the masa would prefer to watch in the tv because it is free. And since they were not paying, they have to settle on how the tv network would present this momentous event to them. GMA7 would of course grab this golden opportunity to get all the advertisers for their own good. Where’s the “Serbisyong Totoo” there? Business as usual.

I know that broadcasting networks thrive on paid advertisements. Pero sana lang, special events such as yesterday’s match are presented in a more reasonable way - where the valued viewers are given more importance over the profit that they can get from the show. And that the quality of the viewing pleasure is an immense concern.

Haay, wishful thinking lang po!!