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For the past 17 years, The Filipino Express has provided the Filipino American community the best news, arts and entertainment coverage from around the United States and the Philippines.
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A season of hope and renewal
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NEW YORK --- Ready or not, winter is here and so is Christmas. Before this newspaper hits the streets, snow may have blanketed metropolitan New York and again, on Christmas day itself. If that happens, it will be one of the rare occurrences I would have experienced in my almost three-decade stay in this greatest city in the world.
It was bone-chilling cold on Monday, Dec. 20; I thought I’ve lost my ears traipsing to work that morning. The Fahrenheit temperature, with the wind-chill factor, was five degrees below the freezing point from where I live, changing to a 12-degree-mark by the time I reached Manhattan.
I thought Christmas has passed. But the sight of a volunteer dressed in a Santa Claus suit that stood by the door of the Grand Central Terminal ringing a bell reminded me that Christmas has yet to come. (Oh, how could we be distracted by those groups that prefer to use Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas! Has Macy’s, one of the world’s renowned department stores, made its way to influence us?)
This being Christmas again, I am reminded of a season that brings hope and renewal. It is that time of the year when we reflect upon our accomplishments, shortcomings as well as those goals we are currently working on before the year is over. It is also that time of the year when we think about the less-fortunate and consider ways we can do to help them experience love, peace and have a joyful heart.
I am also reminded of the poor in spirit, those who mourn, those who are meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness and those who are persecuted because of righteousness and consider the many ways we can do to help uplift them. It is for us who stand firmly in our faith in God and a belief in His promises that can make that happen. As we are told, we are the salt and light of the earth.
Actually, for students of the Bible, Christmas has no biblical foundation. Jesus Christ was not born on Christmas day. It is a myth that has been perpetrated over the years. To me, a real Christmas celebration is not once a year but everyday of our life ever thankful to God and His blessings.
Nestor Laxina, a friend who is currently posted in Haiti, sent me his e-mail greetings. For whatever its worth, I am sharing this with you.
The Christmas Ten Commandments- Thou shalt give thy heart to Christ. Let Him be at the top of thy Christmas list.
- Thou shalt prepare thy soul for Christmas. Spent not so much on gifts that thy soul is forgotten.
- Thou shalt not let Santa Claus replace Christ, thus robbing the day of its spiritual reality.
- Thou shalt not burden the shop girl, the mailman, and the merchant with complaints and demands.
- Thou shalt give thyself with thy gift. This will increase its value a hundred fold, and he who receiveth it shall treasure it forever.
- Thou shalt not value gifts received by their cost. Even the least expensive may signify love, and that is more priceless than silver and gold.
- Thou shalt not neglect the needy. Share thy blessings with many who will go hungry and cold unless thou are generous.
- Thou shalt not neglect thy church. Its services highlight the true meaning of the season.
- Thou shalt not be as a little child. Not until thou has become in spirit as a little one art thou ready to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
- Thou shall not forget to share your joy, peace and faith with those around you.
Let this Christmas be a Season of Hope and Renewal. I wish you a blessed Christmas.
Send comments to rickyxpres@aol.com or visit Website at PinoyOnBoard.com.
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REMEMBERING THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS
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“They say it’s going to be worse than Typhoon Yoling,” my father tells me on the phone, not realizing that I would not have remembered that 1970 storm which left Metro Manila with no power for one week, since I was in utero. Earlier this month, Super Typhoon Yoyong ripped through Luzon, sparing Manila, but leaving many dead and missing. He came charging after the already devastating effects of three other storms – Unding, Violeta and Winnie.
With one more week till Christmas, a tree yet to be purchased, and presents to be wrapped, I make this impassioned plea to forget all the consumer madness for just one minute and give a thought to our kababayans who suffered during the typhoons – in Isabela, Aurora, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Rizal, Quezon, the Mindoro provinces, Albay, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, the Camarines provinces and parts of Metro Manila.
The Ayala Foundation is receiving donations. Please write “Typhoon Victims” in the memo line and include your name and address where the acknowledgement letter can be sent. Make your checks out to: Ayala Foundation USA and send it to: Ayala Foundation USA, 255 Shoreline Drive,Suite 128 Redwood City, CA 94065
According to the Ayala Foundation, donations will go towards short-term relief activities and long-term rehabilitation of homes, farms, and businesses. Donations are tax-deductible.
Another fund-drive is being spearheaded by Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ of “Hindi Kita Malilimutan” fame. He writes: “The Civil Defense Office of the Philippines reports that as of Dec. 7, 2004, 689 people have been killed and 715 others are missing due to the recent spate of super typhoons that have wreaked havoc in Luzon and Visayas. I write to ask your support to forward this e-mail to your friends here in the USA to solicit funds that we will wire back to the Philippines.” Fr. Francisco says the fund-raising will be wired on Dec. 21 to Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan c/o Rev. Jonjee Sumpaico, SJ, Loyola House of Studies, Ateneo de Manila University. The donations will benefit Quezon Province and the Bicol Region.
Please address your checks to: Fr. Manuel Francisco, 10 Martin St. Cambridge, MA 02138
Meanwhile, perhaps we should also consider measures to prevent future calamities by addressing the root of the problem. Reports reveal that much of the damage brought on by the typhoons was a result of illegal logging practices. Here is a message from the Haribon Foundation for the Conservation of Natural Resources, a membership organization dedicated to the conservation of Philippine biodiversity: “ Haribon needs your support! As you well know, the recent typhoons that passed through our country, have devastated many families, leaving them homeless and hungry or dead.
We, at Haribon have taken a stand by starting a signature campaign for a TOTAL COMMERCIAL LOG BAN and a HALT TO MINING ACTIVITIES IN OUR REMAINING NATURAL FORESTS. We need ONE MILLION signatures to show the government that we are not willing to forget this time. This is not the first time that our country has been hit by typhoons which have caused massive flooding and landslides causing property damage and loss of life. If we don’t act now, the next time our country is visited by the rainy season, who knows how much more destruction will be wrought? One thing we know for sure is if nothing is done, we could see a repeat of this year’s tragedy on a grander scale.
We all know about our country’s rich natural treasures that it harbors as well as the delicate situation that it is in. Do your part by helping us out...
Signify your support by SIGNING our signature campaign! Download the form from our website: www.haribon.org.ph and mail to 4/F Fil Garcia Tower, Kalayaan Ave., cor. Mayaman St., Diliman, QC For more information, email: act@haribon.org.ph.
- Support a nationwide total commercial log ban in natural forests;
- Stop mining in our remaining forest areas and plant native trees;
- Develop and support sustainable livelihood options for poor upland forest dwellers;
- Increase budget for community-based forest management, watershed protection and protected area management!”
Here’s to the true meaning of Christmas. Happy Holidays!
For comments, e-mail: manilagirl01@hotmail.com, or visit: www.missingmangoes.com, www.manila-girl.com
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