If you’ve never been to the Philippines during December, then you are missing a bright and happy Christmas. Pinoys celebrate Christmas as early as they can, changing the mall tunes to familiar christmas songs and putting up the Christmas trees.
In our house, it used to be a very bright house during December. On Christmas eve, most of our family members come by and we wait for 12 o’clock to greet each other. Our tree will have overflowing presents. As children, I remember waiting for our names to be called, eagerly awaiting to murder the wrappers.
I think its growing up or its the changing times but Christmas was never the same as before. It will never be the same loud and noisy house. No more staying up until the sun rises.
Now, Christmas is as solemn and quiet as it can be. Noche Buena doesn’t last more than an hour. The number of people celebrating with us is cut down to half.
No matter how different Christmas is now from 10 years ago.
There will always be laughter.