Kick off for the holidays
IN this country, Christmas carols are already played by radio stations as early as September, and it unofficially signals the start of the holiday season. We have the longest Christmas celebration compared to other countries. I think mall owners have something to do with it. And why not? They are the biggest beneficiaries of the season.
Even Tessie Sy Coson when she guested recently at the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (PamCham) meeting at LausGroup Event Centre acknowledged the fact that their malls have unprecedented growth in the past years and sales peak before, during and after the holidays.
And here in Pampanga, particularly in the City of San Fernando, the endless blinking and dancing lights of parols sold on sidewalks of highways will mean only one thing. Be prepared. Ilan tulog na lang pasko na naman.
Just it was melodiously said in a song, "oh kay tulin ng araw..." I love to keep writing and reminiscing this. When I was growing up in our lethargic town of Porac, there were no malls yet. Since our town fiesta was on November 25, my mother would buy me clothes peddled by street hawkers who sold wares and most anything. Having new clothes for Christmas, a trouser with a matching pant! Wow, that's big deal.
No new shoes. Those which were bought two or three years ago were not yet outgrown and were still okay to use. Unless there were solicited hand me downs from rich kins. And normally given to my mom by my uncle Godofredo, father of Democrito, Ener and Amable.
Or from my uncle Bienvenido, father of Nonong, the former mayor who was felled by an assassin bullet while campaigning in the eighties. All the above cousins were a lot older than I am, except for Nonong who was my three years senior. The giant and electronically operated lanterns were the future. Even on houses of the rich displayed on their windows were the simple parol. No other decor. No multi-colored dancing Christmas lights.
Only the wealthy can afford decorated Christmas trees. Only them can afford cakes, apples, oranges, ham and cheese. Ordinary families enjoyed 'nilaga and suman' and other home prepared dainties.
My parents woke us up early and attended all the dawn masses (simbang gabi) and we had to walk more than a kilometer to reach the church. Fr. Santiago Blanco, a pure blooded Spaniard was our parish priest. His booming voice can be heard from the altar to the main door of the church when delivering his homilies. Microphones and loud speakers were not in use then. SSpampanga