Do you remember Christmas in the Philippines?

What does Christmas mean to Filipinos? A child’s eyes glowing upon the sight of beautifully wrapped Christmas gifts under a well-lit Christmas tree; the family all gathered around the festive table for noche buena; gifts being exchanged; laughter; togetherness, are what the holidays are all about. After my Filipina wife brought me to the Philippines a few years ago, to spend the holidays with her family, I came to understand how precious the festive holiday season is to Filipinos, and how being with their family is so very important to Filipinos.

My first Christmas in the Philippines still lingers in my mind. Experiencing the holidays first hand, I realized why Filipinos around the world yearn to go back to their home country, once they are legally able to do so, and why they keep on going back to the Philippines during Christmas time.

Christmas is not just a one-day affair for the Filipinos who are very family-oriented, and "family" ties include even distant relatives. Preparation for the holidays starts as soon as September comes in, and the cool winds set in. The Christmas season starts with the traditional celebration of simbang gabi and culminating at midnight of Christmas Eve with the noche buena, when every member of the family gathers at the dinner table, and shares a sumptuous feast. But it doesn’t end there, because members of the extended family gather for a reunion on Christmas Day itself in their best Christmas clothes, for the exchange of gifts, the merrymaking, and the picture taking. And then, the season goes on until the fireworks fun and Media Noche on New Year’s Eve, and another huge family gathering on New Year’s Day.

During the Christmas Day family gathering, everyone is present, from the great grandparents to the youngest child. It was the same for my wife’s family. I got to know everyone, most of her Lolas, Lolos, Titos and Titas, and cousins. On Christmas day, it was a never-ending meal. And everyone was jolly, the kids were wide-eyed with their gifts, and the adults were reminiscing about the "good old days".

Nine days before Christmas Day, bells ring at dawn – signaling the start of the traditional Simbang Gabi. After the mass, people buy bibingkas and puto bumbong sold in the church premises. You can smell the rice cakes in the early morning air, and to many Filipinos who have not gone home for many years, this is enough to make them nostalgic and misty-eyed. People linger to chat while munching the local cakes. And for the teary-eyed balikbayan, the Simbang Gabi brings back memories of childhood crushes and sweethearts, loves long forgotten, and friendships forged on the churchyard.

At nighttime, children would go caroling, singing Christmas songs accompanied by music from makeshift musical instruments made from tin cans, bamboo, and coconut husks. They would go from door to door, sing Christmas carols, and wait for the homeowner to give them a little money. Now I understand why many of my clients with U.S.-born and reared kids, want to take their children home to the Philippines to experience Christmas in the Philippines.

You may ask why I am writing about Christmas in an immigration column? Because there are so many people in America who, because of their illegal status, have been denied the joy and pleasure of being able to visit the Philippines to once again experience the Christmas they loved when they were young. They know that if they leave the United States, they may not be able to return. Christmas, as I have just described, remains to be a distant memory to these unfortunate people, who wonder if they will ever have the chance to again experience Christmas first-hand in the Philippines.

To them, because of their illegal status, Christmas means packing a balikbayan box of clothes, toys, chocolates and other goodies for their children. But they will not see their children’s expressions of joy upon opening the balikbayan box. They will not have a Noche Buena with their family. Instead, they must settle for a brief telephone call to their family back home, offering their holiday greetings.

When these parents call home, and ask their child what the child wants for Christmas, the child usually responds, "All I want is to be with you again". What was intended to be a happy episode becomes a painful interaction. For these people in the U.S., they feel very powerless and helpless to make that Christmas wish become a reality.

That is why it is truly rewarding to me whenever I am able to help a client legalize his or her status. Almost without exception, their first thoughts are that they will now be able to go home to spend Christmas with their relatives and friends after many years of absence

As the year comes to a close, I remain committed to my goal of "Bringing Families Together" and "Helping Make the American Dream Come True". My wish for all of the people who, because of their immigration status, are denied the joy of celebrating Christmas in the Philippines, is that you be able to experience again Christmas first hand in your home country.

On behalf of my family and staff, let me wish you "MALIGAYANG PASKO AT MASAGANANG BAGONG TAON SA INYONG LAHAT. MARAMING SALAMAT PO SA INYONG PATULOY NA PAGTANGKILIK SA "LAW OFFICES OF MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL".

Michael J. Gurfinkel has been a licensed attorney in California for over 22 years. He has always excelled in school: Valedictorian in High School; Cum Laude at UCLA; and Law Degree Honors and academic scholar at Loyola Law School, which is one of the top law schools in California. He is also an active member of the State Bar of California, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, and the Immigration Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. All immigration services are provided by an active member of the State Bar of California and/or by a person under the supervision of an active member of the State Bar.

Three offices to serve you:

Los Angeles: 219 North Brand Boulevard, Glendale, California, 91203

Telephone: (818) 543-5800

San Francisco: 601 Gateway Boulevard, Suite 460, South San Francisco, CA 94080

Telephone (650) 827-7888

Philippines: Heart Tower, Unit 701, 108 Valero Street, Salcedo Village, Makati, Philippines 1227

Telephone: 894-0258 or 894-0239

(This is for informational purposes only, and reflects the firm’s opinions and views on general issues. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of a particular case. No prediction, warranty or guarantee can be made about the results of any case. Should you need or want legal advice, you should consult with and retain counsel of your own choice.)