Can you smell the delicious aroma of puto-bumbong and bibingka? Are your neighbors hanging these beautiful and colorful flickering lights and decors outside of their house? Can you feel the cold breeze at night that will put you curled up under your blanket? If yes, "ber" months are now officially started. Christmas is now fast approaching. It is one of the most anticipated holidays in the Philippines.
I used to remember that whenever "ber" has entered, you will hear these Christmas carol songs that are being sung by the children. Our subdivision used to hold a Christmas street lights competition every year. You will see how our neighbors create these recycled Christmas decors made up of indigenous materials. We used to attend the "Simbang Gabi" as a whole family. After mass, I always go straight up to my favorite stall that sells puto-bumbong and buy a whole pack for myself. Everything used to be exciting as Christmas approached. But as the pandemic struck our lives, everything shifted. Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Limited Social Gathering are just some of the practices that are needed to be followed to comply with the safety protocol. Everything needs to be distanced, even your relatives. The fun and excitement of Christmas became despondent. I can sadly say that Christmas is gonna be a little different.
But as we Filipinos are known for our creativity, we easily adapt the New Normal style of Christmas celebration.
Here are some New Normal tips on how we can celebrate Christmas safely:
"Simbang Gabi” is one of the highlights of Christmas. It is 9 days of masses at dawn that will start on December 16 and will continue until Christmas day. It is said to believe that if you finish all 9 days of mass, your wish will be granted. But as the IATF implemented the limited social gathering, every church must have a limited capacity. In the new normal set-up, we recommend using social media to attend the mass. Besides being easier, it is also the safest way to attend the mass. My family uses social media to attend the Facebook live of our church's simbang gabi. We just simply sat down in front of our p.c. monitor and together we watch the homily.
Christmas caroling is what makes children more excited about Christmas. It is the time of the year where children are free to roam around. They can also gather some money by doing house-to-house caroling. But now with this pandemic, children are not allowed to roam outside plus social gathering is discouraged by the IATF. But good news because we also have an alternative way to still conduct Christmas caroling.
"Online Caroling" is the new trendy way of doing it. It is just like the traditional caroling but it will be through social media like Facebook or by the use of online video conferences. Of course, the payment should still be safer so online banking like GCash or PayMaya is the way to do the monetary transaction. I think this is the most resourceful way since we are surrounded by gadgets and social media. By doing this, we are not just going to be happy but we are able to share the presence of Christmas.
Have you finalized your Christmas gifts list? I remembered when we were still able to go to the malls to window shop or buy some gifts for our loved ones before Christmas Day, those Christmases before the pandemic are the best seasons. Wefreely enjoy and roam around the malls, bazaars, and markets to go shopping for Christmas presents. This holiday season, the pandemic can't stop us from celebrating and giving love and presents to our loved ones. Nowadays, not everyone can go to malls, bazaars or markets to go shopping. There are age limits and health protocols that must be followed by people. But here is the good news. We can still find the perfect gifts for everyone at home by scrolling and finding Christmas presents on Online Shopping Apps like Shopee, Lazada and Shop SM! They also have a lot of surprises for us like discount vouchers, free shipping vouchers and many more. You can easily find what you want by searching the items at the search bar specifically with varieties of shops. They have shipping and payment options for you.
Pasko ng Pilipino is definitely one of the best and pure ways of celebrating Christmas. This time of pandemic, celebrating Christmas with our family will not be postponed even if some of the family members can't come home for Christmas Eve. Filipino Families know the real essence of Christmas. We keep Christmas Day celebrated because it was for the birth of our savior Jesus Christ and the season of love. We can still be together by having a video call through online or social media on Christmas Eve and Christmas day without taking the risk of our family member's health to go outside just to be with us.
Mobile Apps like Skype, Google Meet, Zoom or Messenger's video call will help us to be with our family even if they are far from us. We can still celebrate Christmas completely. It will not lessen the way we celebrate and give importance to the Christmas season.
Having God the Father and Jesus Christ as the center of our Christmas celebration or what we called our "Star ng Pasko" will complete our Christmas Season even with or without pandemic.
By: Camille Consunji & Brian Paul Hamis
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