November Events And Christmas Anticipation
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
It's December 1 here in the Philippines and in the Western Pacific countries. It is the merriest month for Christians because it is Christmas time. As one song says - tis the season to be jolly. But before we talk about christmas any further, let us first look back to the month of November which has just passed.
On November 1 and 2, we celebrated All Saints Day and All Souls Day respectively. We Filipinos idolize so much our santos and santas and we reserve our fondest memories for our loved ones who have gone before us. We try to be good like our favorite saints and some of us may have promised to be good before the passing of a dear parent or grandparent. Yet do we really behave like a living saint? What happened to those promises to our dearly beloved?
Then on November 15, we witnessed with great pride how Manny Pacquiao won his fight against Cotto to become the first boxer ever to win 7 titles. A week later, Efren Penaflorida won the CNN Hero of the Year Award. On November 29, we remembered the birth of Ninoy Aquino, a National Hero. Of Course, the next day (November 30) was a holiday because it is the birth of one of the greatest Filipinos - Andres Bonifacio.
But then the Maguindanao Massacre happened which catapulted the Philippines to become the world's most dangerous place for journalist. Oh my, whoever said that we Filipinos always shoot ourselves in the foot?
This month is supposedly the birth of the Messiah - Jesus Christ. Christians believed that He is the only Son of the Most High who became man in order to free us from the bondage of sin. It has been told and retold that Jesus came to teach about LOVE and PEACE. Who would not want love? Who would not want peace?
We Filipinos are known to be loving and peaceful people. Are we really? I believe so but I have to be honest that there are many times when I am in doubt. I am told not to be judgmental but when I see a "santong kabayo, natatawa talaga ako" I could only shake my head and accept my friend's observation that "karma nating mga Pilipino kung bakit may Maguindanao Massacre!." What about the corrupt politicians? Are they also our Karma?
With regards to the last question, my friend would only say, "Look at yourself!".
