Boxing Christmas treasures

The Catholic calendar lists Dec. 26 as the Feast Day of Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr. In olden times it was also the day when the nobles and the rich gave presents to the lower class, like the poor and the workers in the United Kingdom.

Times have, however, changed and Dec. 26 is now known as Boxing Day. Boxing in this case has nothing to do with the sport that Manny Pacquiao is great at. It is actually about boxes. This is the day when people get rid of the boxes that Christmas presents came in. Then as though to signal the end of the holidays, it is also the day when Christmas things go back to their boxes for storage. There they will remain until Christmastime comes again next year.

Of course that is not so hereabouts because we Filipinos want to hold on to all things Christmas for as long as possible. Boxing here starts on Jan. 6, the old day of the Three Kings and could last until Valentine’s day. But while I might hold on to the tree a bit longer than early January, I would seem somewhat batty to the neighbors if I continue playing Christmas songs all through the first weeks of the new year.

So for me, the first boxing chore is for my Christmas albums, cassettes and cds because I do not take out the vinyl lps anymore. It takes quite sometime because the collection has grown over the years and addicted me cannot seem to stop from adding and adding. This year’s harvest was very good with new Christmas cds from Yo-yo Ma, Sarah Brightman, Enya, Newcomers The Priests and others.

Some I listen to once and never again. Others I might like the first year and the next but will lose the appeal in succeeding Christmases. Others I am sentimental about like Luciano Pavarotti’s Christmas album because it was the first cd I ever bought. Others I like for rare cuts like Alison Moyet singing The Coventry Carol or for the wonderful work by the artist, Natalie Cole’s The Holly and The Ivy and The Sinatra Christmas Album.

Some though I listen to over and over as long as the season lasts. Kenny G’s Peace and Hope which make good unobtrusive background music; Celine Dion’s These Are Special Times, Josh Groban’s Noel and the David Foster Christmas Album for the beauty and joy one finds in the performances; the Jackson Five Christmas Album, Home Alone and Snowed In by the Hansons that kids cannot seem to get enough of; or my personal favorites from among local artists like Sharon Cuneta’s so sweet rendition of Miss Kita Kung Christmas and Ariel Rivera’s Kahit Hindi Pasko or some albums I make sure I will not have to do without each year.

Christmas In Our Hearts by Jose Mari Chan. This is now one of the Pinoy’s perennial favorites. It is now 18 years old but has not aged one bit. In fact, it seems to have become the choice for anybody who wants to have Christmas music playing at the earliest time possible. I heard the title track, the lovely duet by Jose Mari and his daughter Lisa at a mall late last September and I instantly got that holiday jolt. It was as though the song was telling me, it will be Christmas once again and there will once more be lots of good feelings all around.

Pasko by the San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra and the San Miguel Chorale conducted by arranger and producer Ryan Cayabyab. Unfortunately San Miguel gave up on its music program two years ago so this two-volume set is the first and the last recording by the group. Thankfully, it is a great album with an all-Filipino lineup. It is an endearing mix of old and new, where the traditionals, Ang Pasko ay Sumapit, get respectful treatment and where new pop works, Paskong Walang Hanggan get excellent introductions.

The Christmas Album by The CompanY. This is the party cd. I do not mean for the type of Christmas party where there are dance contests and raffles and all sorts of presentations. Use those non-stop Christmas disco albums for that. Think of a smaller crowd, of close friends getting together for the holidays having some fun, noche buena and the Christmas Medley and one or two sentimental moments, It’s Just Another New Year’s Eve and Isang Taong Lumipas.

Someone told Jose Mari Chan that his Christmas In Our Hearts is like an old dear friend from a far away place that comes to visit once a year to reminisce on their past together. That is true of Christmas In Our Hearts and of the other old friends on my list. Once more, the time has come to part, off to your boxes you go and I will listen to you again next year.