Pasko na Naman!
Jeanne Franchesca Dela Cruz
18 December 2016
Pasko na naman! Or, in the wise words of the Beatles, "Christmas Time (Is Here Again)"! There's Christmas music in the air, holiday get-togethers and break-related events all around campus. Amidst these "final" weeks of the semester, people are becoming excited, welcoming each and every opportunity to relax and spend time with family and friends. The holiday spirit is truly starting to set in.
For the Philippines, this holiday cheer had started setting in months ago--way back in September! Imagine four—no, nearly five months of holiday sales, music and events leading up to Christmas. That's right: Christmas season in the Philippines lasts all the way up to January, ending on the first Sunday of the month, the "Feast of the Three Kings." Until then, the people celebrate the season with colorful decor and bountiful festivities.
I recall seeing the gleaming sprinkle of golden lights that would beam from the neighboring houses at nighttime, complemented with a multicolor parol, or star-shaped Christmas lantern, that nearly everyone would hang outside this time of year. Not to mention, the trees; people still tend to decorate their homes with a traditional Christmas tree and the like.
Caroling is also quite frequent during the season! Children would travel in groups, going from house to house at night and singing Christmas songs. Of course, this isn't the only part of the tradition. As the children sing, a tambourine or make-shift instrument in hand, it's respectful of those inside the house to given them a token of appreciation. Even a peso or two would suffice. Once given, children often end their visit with a quick song of gratitude. Other groups, such as those from church and school clubs sometimes join in with the musical feat to raise funds for their organization.
But regardless of the decorations and familiar tunes, Christmas in the Philippines is a religious holiday at its core. Though I was very young when I left, I remember the numerous times my family would attend church before Christmas day. Called Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo, a "Night Mass" would be held either at night or dawn for 9 consecutive days before Christmas. The tradition itself is a Catholic practice. However, the astounding participation by the majority Catholic population provides a time when one can be together with their friends, family and community.
While the U.S. may not have these night masses, or an extended period of celebration, the décor, music and time spent with loved ones are truly what spreads Christmas cheer.
November in Review
Stephanie Jamilla
18 December 2016
From the results of the US presidential election to the passing of a bill that commemorates Filipino World War II veterans, November has had its mix of events. Now that we’re already a week into December, and we’ve all had some time to breathe (well, until finals hit of course), let’s look back and recall what has happened this past month.
In my October in Review article, I ended by discussing President Rodrigo Duterte’s sudden announcement of economic and military separation from the US. Well, in the wake of Donald Trump’s election, President Duterte has greatly changed his position. Duterte wasted no time in congratulating the President-elect, drawing comparisons between the two and claiming that they are alike. After previously insisting that the Philippines would cease its yearly military exercises with the US, he has since amended his words, saying the Philippines will continue joint military training with the US. Furthermore, Duterte enjoyed a seven-minute phone call with the US President-elect, after which he claimed he “could sense a good rapport” with Trump. He affirmed that US-Philippine relations will remain tight and expressed enthusiasm over Trump’s apparent support of his war on drugs. With this reversal of positions and relations renewed in such a short amount of time, the same question I asked last month still stands: “What’s to come next? Nothing is certain.”
At the end of November, a well-deserved victory came for 260,000 Filipino and Filipino-American WWII veterans. On November 30, the House of Representatives passed The Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015. Filipino veterans will finally receive the Congressional Gold Medal, one of the highest civilian honors. These veterans were previously promised military benefits for responding to President Franklin D. Roosevelt's call-to-duty but never received them due to the Recession Act of 1946. In 2009, President Obama signed legislation that granted veterans a lump sum payment of $15,000 for American citizens and $9,000 for those living in the Philippines. And now, seven years later, another piece of legislation will go to President Obama for his signature to further celebrate the contributions these Filipinos and Filipino-American veterans have given to this country.
With these two contrasting events, November has come to a close. Good luck to everyone who’s taking finals, writing papers, and completing projects for class!