’tis the season to be jolly!

December 13, 2008

This is one of the times when I just love the Filipino culture, particularly the super close family ties! To hell with individualism… haha!

 

As much as possible, Filipinos abroad schedule their coming home on Christmas season. I guess it’s Filipinos’ favorite time of the year. We gotta admit, we spend a lot on this season, oftentimes more than our budget allows. Well, we deserve to be happy during this time, what with a whole year of work and hardships (but moderation is always a good option).

 

Anyway, why am in a good mood? Well, there’s this coming home of Kuyang, Nikki, and my lovely niece Keng (see post below). I missed them, and I’m happy they’re around for a month. Today, we are celebrating our lolo’s birthday who already passed away. It’s just a simple celebration, the usual sotanghon, chicken, and others. I’m glad that we don’t forget to remember our deceased relatives on all the occasions in our lives. We Filipinos are sentimental this way.

 

But the particular reason I’m happy today is I’ve got pasalubong! Never does a Filipino go home without those shipping boxes. We received some of the usual stuff Filipinos abroad send their families here: soaps, toothpaste, lotion, chocolates, and a T-shirt with the name of the country where it came from. Isn’t this funny? We can also buy these things, even the same brand, in our department stores (well, maybe not the shirt). But it’s sweet. Makes me wanna sing Sealed with a Kiss. haha. When we opened the boxes, as usual, the gifts are packed in groups, with every pack having a handwritten name of the person to whom it belongs.

 

Mama (my aunt) and Billy (my high school cousin, Kuyang’s brother) who were left in Qatar had a special gift for me. Thanks Ma and Billy Boy! I miss you both and come home soon!

 

 

 

 

There are also other little things for me, but these are my favorite.

 

 

A perfume (great timing!) and two shades from Mango.