Welcoming the New Year 2011

It's about nine hours before we sing Auld Lang Syne to bid goodbye to 2010 and welcome the New Year.  This is one instance when people all over the world are united in a choral manifestation of thanksgiving for a year spent and another year given, and hopefulness for next year's continued bliss or for changed lives.  

How we do the New Year welcoming rites in this little Southeast Asian Philippine republic has already become eclectic; what was considered native to us has been mixed with Oriental and Western influences that one can no longer determine which tradition and practices are really ours.  

But, all of these practices, however they were introduced, are now our own ways to  show hope and gratitude: a bountiful meal, wearing polka dots and good luck charms, making tremendous noise in various ways, listing down resolutions, cleaning up the house, and stocking up the cupboards and refrigerators.

Thank you, Lord, for all of these, from your bounty

In our household, for example, rather than the hazardous firecrackers, my hubby bought locally-made trumpets for the kids ($0.25/piece) to be used in the midnight noise barrage. (Definitely, no firecrackers for us!)  

We have cooked and prepared food like crazy since 9:00 p.m. of December 30, 2011.  What we prepared, we made sure to be either round or long.  At this time, we're done with round choco-moist cake, cookies, spaghetti, fried fresh lumpia, and macaroons.  All of these, we will join with the rest of the viands that our relatives will be bringing for the highlight Media Noche.

//rmis// 

Gifts, Presents for Christmas

Gift-giving is one tradition during Christmas season that people cannot do away with.  Why not make this tradition work to your advantage?

You see, aside from being considered as one of the causes of Christmas rush that congest city traffic and a fool-proof alibi to splurge, gift-giving can be a great means:

-- to tell a friend or a love-one how sorry you are for the wrong things done; 

-- to finally say to someone how you like him/her so much; 

-- to call an engagement or propose a marriage; 

-- to mend a broken heart and lend a shoulder;

-- to express one's gratefulness; or

-- to simply remind someone how much he/she means to you.  

Your reasons for gift-giving can go a long way and very cheesy at the same time, but don't laugh on it because this is unmistakable, and nothing beats the feeling that a real and open-hearted giver gets.  Like they say, it's better to give than to receive, and when you give, give it freely and honestly.

HP PHOTOSMART INK ADVANTAGE e-All-in-One K510 Printer
My hubby's Christmas gift for me and the kids, and of course, for himself;
Making school assignment time and projects easy 

Some of our presents from Lola Cathy's freighted box,

from ninangs and ninongs, uncles and aunties

//rmis//

Party, Family and Visita Iglesia on Christmas

Family Christmas Party 

The night before Christmas was most specially spent for our annual Family Christmas Party. It was filled with dancing, singing, games, prizes, and lots of presents that the kids enjoyed it so much! What could be the nicest way to celebrate this happiest time of the year but with our love-ones.  This is a given fact, a non-contestable one!

Our Family Christmas Party this Year: Loads of Fun and Give-aways

Just before midnight, we bid each other farewell, for the meantime, as another plan for a New Year's party is still being brewed. You see, we just can't get tired of one another. 

At the strike of 12:00 MN, my hubby fired up the firecrackers, signalling that it was officially Christmas Day, while the children were still on the Magic Sing. We wrapped up at half past two in the morning, and woke up a family member who was to go home to the province to be with his new family, too. We slept at 4:00 in the morning.

December 25, 2010 - Christmas Day 

After breakfast, we went to Marco Polo Hotel in Lahug, Cebu City. We watched the displayed Christmas Village and the "Polar Express." Unfortunately, the Polar Train was still not scheduled to take the tracks.  

Zoie and Mom Lea at Marco Polo Hotel Cebu

Top view of the Christmas Village at Marco Polo

Houses, Boats, and Fun Rides at the Christmas Village in Marco Polo

Christmas tree at Marco Polo Hotel lobby

After many photo poses and a drink at the Hotel, we made our "Visita Iglesia". Though this is a Holy Week tradition of visiting churches, we found it fitting to make such for the Christmas Day.

Visita Iglesia  

Descending from Nivel Hills, our first stop was in St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish in Lahug, Cebu City.  The vicinity was quiet, except for the carolers carrying guitars sitting at the entrance of the church.  It was still an hour for the next mass at 4:00 p.m.

We then proceeded to the historic Carmelite Monastery in San Jose dela Montana, Cebu City, near the PLDT main office.  Historic, I may say, because aside from being a very old edifice, stories have it that this is where the late-President Corazon Aquino, mom to President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III, hid at the height of the many coup attempts that struck her administration in the 1980s. 

Facade of the Carmelite Monastery in Cebu City

There's only one mass set in the Carmelite's house, an early one at 6:00 a.m. Unlike St. Therese, there's a slow traffic of people visiting the monastery's church.  

Next stop was at St. Joseph Church in Mabolo, locally known as Mabolo Church, standing inside an estimated 3,000-square meter perimeter fence.  The church/chapel has been there as early as the 16th or 17th century, but the concrete Neo-Gothic structure was written to have belonged from the 18th century style.  

Looking at the facade, however, you cannot exactly distinguish the classic artistry that this particular church claims because of the many alterations and renovations made throughout the years. 

Last stretch was at the Redemptorist Church in uptown Cebu. We were just in time for the 3:30 p.m. Christmas mass.  The gospel story was about the Sagrada Familia: Joseph, Mary and Jesus.  

Right side of the Redemptorist Church along Queen's Road, Cebu City

As old as the other churches earlier visited, the Redemptorist is also a product of the Christian colonization of the past. Constructed by Irish priests, this church managed to withstand one war after another. 

Final Stop: At the Altar of the Redemptorist Church

Swarmed by peddlers, beggars, and parking barkers outside, the church was ethereal inside with all the flowers and Christmas decors.  Matched with the cold breeze blowing in, the altar was heavenly beautiful, like I always remember it.

The "Belen" at Redemptorist

Church-goers lining up to kiss the displayed Baby Jesus, after the Holy Mass

For me, this last stop is meaningful, because December 25 is Christmas Day, a reminder to us Filipino Christians of the birth of Jesus, who was sent to become the Redeemer of mankind, our Savior.  And here we were as a family for our traditional mass on Christmas Day with the Gospel message about the Holy Family at the Redemptorist Church.  Yes, I know, how can't I recognize this?  We are just blessed, truly blessed! 

And though this is quite off to become the ultimate topping of this story, we ended up finding ourselves at McDonald's for burgers, fries, spaghetti, and 'Thirsty' shakes on the side.

Zoie, sipping and loving 'Thirsty'

//rmis//

Our Tree This Christmas

My youngest daughter helped me put up our Christmas tree this year. Looking at it, a bit untidy and lifeless after having gone in and out of the storage box for 11 straight years, it dawned on me how time flew so undetectably fast.  

Yentl, decorating OUR TREE this year

I bought it in 1999 when I was still single at P250.00 in Gaisano Metro Ayala in Cebu. Back then, such an amount was already a lot to me. Throughout the years, I collected my decors, got married, continued to collect decors, had a miscarriage, got more decors, had a baby, acquired additional decors, had my second baby, and eventually, a family.

Although this tree is now a bit wimpy (and goes out of its box once a year), I realized it has become part of my life and my family.  With all my musings, I thought and said, "THIS IS MY TREE!"

With my kids growing up and slowly appreciating the uniqueness of this season to other events of the year, they have become eager to see me preparing the Christmas tree!

For this year, I placed some tiny Christmas cards.  I never imagined that my kids and their cousins would use them to write on their Christmas wishes.  Some asked for toys, swimming pool, laptop, and shoes; one actually wished that her lolo and lola would go up to heaven. My seven-year old eldest child, in particular, listed hers on a sheet of pad paper, and among those she asked was a "real husband" named Aarone (who happens to be her classmate).  Simply cute and funny!

Wishes Up on the Christmas Tree

This Christmas, officially, MY TREE will no longer be "MY TREE", but our "FAMILY TREE". Apparently, this tree has lighted up and guided new people into my life, into our lives, and still continues to do so.

If there's one good reminder that this Christmas tree is telling me, is the thought that it is never better to stand under the [shade of a] tree ALONE (!) especially during Christmas season. 

Christmas Buy: Something Made for Walking

I can now feel the Christmas rush by the looks of the congested traffic as well as the crowded malls and their extended shopping hours. Everyone seems to be running around all over Cebu metropolis for some gift buying. How about you? Have you thought of something for a significant someone or for your special "self"?  Why don't you get something that's made for walking and come in twos. Here's something that you might fancy:

On December 15-19, 2010, Converse(R) will have a MEGA SALE at the SM City Cebu Trade Hall 2 & 3, Third Level that offers up to 70% off on selected items.

If you're someone looking for good buys and great bargains, mark this on your calendar.  There surely is something that's right for you!

Word to the Wise: So as not to be jammed in traffic and you happen to have the time, shop at 10 a.m. to 12 noon, just before the daily rush begins.  Happy shopping!