Chef of the Year!

My batchmates held our Christmas Party last night. We had lots of parlor games, dancing, singing and gift-giving.

I won the “Chef of the Year” award for my dish, vegetable pastel. It’s the first time I received recognition for my cooking!

We had a nice time! Merry Christmas everyone!

Merry Christmas!

Last year was my first Christmas in the Philippines in 5 years, my second in 7 years. It was one of my happiest Christmas having celebrated the holiday season with my loved ones. I remember attending lots of parties, giving gifts, and putting up Christmas decors. I had so much fun especially since I missed all those things for a while.

This year, I am back to celebrating the season away from my family. I am again abroad, working in another country where Christmas is but an ordinary day. There’s not much of those huge Christmas decors and not much of those parties. Just a few to keep the spirit alive, at least.

But then, who am I to complain? I may not be with my family this Christmas, but there are still lots of things to be thankful for. Watching the evening news, I realized I am still so blessed.

I am not one of those recently laid off from work because of the global financial crisis. I have a decent job, earning enough for my family back home.

I am not one of those affected by the fire that hit some residential places in Manila recently. I have a very comfortable flat on my own.

I am not one of those who lost their loved ones recently. Many died in some accidents recently. My loved ones may not be with me, but I know they are all safe.

I am not one of those bank depositors whose banks recently closed. I am financially stable at the moment in God’s grace.

I am not one of those chronic patients lying on the hospital beds just waiting for their time to come. I am healthy, and my family as well.

So is there a reason for me to be sad just because I am alone and not with my family during this time of the season?

I guess, there is none.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

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.

It’s Christmas Time!

This is our Christmas tree in the picture! My wife and I set up our tree as early as the first week of September. We are not that excited, eh?! And our favorite color does not reflect here, huh? It is an old tree with new bling-blings, mostly from Megamall. The perfect star is from Mall of Asia, a product of malling a day before the Glorietta Mall blast, hehe.

 

And who’s not going to be thrilled about the approaching season? This is my first Christmas in the Philippines in five years. My second in seven years. My first with my lovely wife. I know that this time, Christmas will be different for me.

 

I missed celebrating Christmas here in our country. The festivity here is one of the best in the world. It is a family (and friends) event. I remember as I child how I go around house-to-house greeting everybody a merry Christmas.

 

Where I stayed for seven years, the season was just an ordinary winter season. There was no sign of an approaching Christmas day, except for a few dinner and party invitations in some houses. No flickering lights, no lanterns, no carols. Christmas was not allowed to be celebrated in the open.  I attended five small Christmas parties last year, most of them held very privately in the host’s flats. Christmas day itself was usually an ordinary working day for everybody, except for some “Merry Christmas” greetings from my Christian colleagues.

 

I feel for those who are away from their families this Christmas season. I also feel for those who lost their loved ones this year, celebrating the season without them for the first time. I feel for those who are not usually happy during this time because of their own personal reasons.

 

Whether you are celebrating Christmas with somebody or alone, whether you are excited with the approaching season or not, let us remember that this is the best time to share yourself to everybody. Forget all your worries (for the meantime, at least) and give time to families and friends. One of them may not be around next Christmas for all we know (uh, morbid!). Cherish this time of joy. It’s the birthday of our Savior, Jesus Christ!!

 

Have a happy Christmas, everyone! Cheers!