I don't like Christmas very much anymore. Not sure what happened. It was my favorite occasion when I was still a child. Despite the fact that I didn'thave many ninongs or ninangs or the presents I got from a few relatives weren't grand, I had pleasant recollections of Yuletide celebrations.They're not the most memorable but they're worth reminiscing all the same. Now,I feel some sort of disconnect with Christmas. Maybe I've outgrown Santa. Perhaps I hate the frenzied malls during the holidays. Or maybe, Christmasis no longer fun when you're a grown-up.
Most people I know make sure they're with their loved ones on Christmas Day and I've seen a few who got mightily upset because they weren't able to spend the holidays at home due to the demands of their work. Normally, people who are in the call center industry find it hard to go home during this time of the year. (It's not so much the case with those who don't have far-flung provinces to go home to.) I haven't celebrated Christmas with my family for several years now. It's not so bad,really. But the first time was tough for me. I got terribly homesick but I couldn't afford going home otherwise I'd lose my job.
One thing that puts me off from travelling on busy holidays like this is the hassle that goes along with it, especially if you're taking the ferry.You have to be an early bird in order to catch the often crowded boat. If not then you're surely in for an I'm-spending-the-night-at-the-terminal drama.My family has been understanding of the situation (really though, sometimes I feel like they see it as a lame excuse) and they no longer insist on me coming home. But they always ask me if I could spend the holidays with them to which I would reply with "No I'm sorry I wish I could but..." They always want to know as well where I celebrate Christmas. Most of the time at a friend's house with some of my high school buddies. A reunion of a sort. We make do with whatever everyone has brought - some leftover food,take-out dinner, groceries, etc. Those who usually attend have, like me,decided to avoid the travel hassle.
The fact of the matter is there is not much to do in the province on Christmas Day. We don't have malls or movie theaters that show the MMFF entries (thank goodness!) There aren't carnivals or shows either. What we have though, and this is just in our barrio alone, is a cockfight. And people in the village really look forward to it.
It's the time of the year when everyone gathers in a clearing, men clad in semi-formal attire carrying cocks, kids frolicking under the soft December sunlight and women chattering away, their laughter can be heard from the distance.
Children don't have to go to their ninong's house for their presents, they eventually turn up at the site. This unusual gathering might be as well called a December fiesta. But it's not a perfect picture of fun and gaiety. One or two boozehounds may ruin the party by picking fights with those they can bully but at the end of the day,everyone seems to have a great time.
I guess that's what matters - having fun on Christmas Day. Apart from giving gifts and love, of course. And don't get me wrong, I don't hate Christmas. It's just not my favorite time of the year.
