Christmas 2018

For the first time in 60 years, I’m spending the Christmas season with my family in my hometown, Gingoog City. It’s been a terrific experience, having my husband, son, and nephew flying from Manila to join their mom and  savor the joys of being in her favorite place on Earth.

The only regret I and my husband have is missing the birthday celebration of our favorite statesman, who turns 82 years old tomorrow. Like in the past, former five-time House Speaker Joe de Venecia, is being feted on his natal day with a banquet at the Sampaguita pictures grounds in San Juan, Metro Manila, with probably all the best and brightest of the country’s personages in attendance. Preparations for the event are orchestrated by his wife, the popular Manay Gina, a former Representative, who is running in this current election for a seat in the House under the Party-list Inang Mahal. Our congratulations, dear Joe. And our best wishes for your success, Manay Gina.

In Barangay 22 where my family lives, the 600 or so residents held the other night a Christmas gathering, complete with merry sounds and a bountiful potluck dinner. I do not know my present barangay mates, as they were not around when I was in high school, they are much younger than I, and those I knew from way back were not present because of aching joints or had passed away. 

The celebration was an initiative of the barangay captain, Barotoc “Dokoy” Macaumbao, who proudly announced that he is the only Muslim to head a barangay in Northern Mindanao. Happily attending to the attendees’ enjoyment were kagawads Evita Hernandez, Armando Avila, Elizabeth Chaves, Alma TanudTanud, Edwina Manlantao, Milagros Torrevillas Antonio (my sister popularly called Ten-Ten), and James Rama. So did two barangay officers – Maricel, secretary; and TanTan Costura, treasurer. Welcomed guests were city treasurer Lino Bernal, and city kagawad Jerome Mercado, who gave a much-applauded message.

What made the event unusual and great fun was the participation of senior citizens, who for the first time after much prodding, played games like the Russian Roulette and Trip to Jerusalem. The second generation of residents was represented by talents including EnEn Antonio, who rendered vocal numbers.

My barangay neighbors were all ears when I was asked to say a few words as proposed by Captain Macaombao. I remarked how happy I was to be home again, that, as a columnist of The Philippine STAR, I have been privileged to travel to 32 countries to attend international meetings, but have returned this Christmas, to Gingoog, land of my birth. It’s where I will spend my last years. I love Gingoog. 

I met my piano teacher again – Mark Fernandez, who has remained a bachelor and enjoying his alone-ess. My family picked him up after the worship service at the United Church of Christ church in Medina, about 15 kilometers away from Gingoog, where he is the organist. We had lunch at a restaurant, then proceeded to Mark’s place in Gingoog where he shared with me ornamental plants. I chose the biggest and fattest ferns, and he readily gave them to me, with the words, “I give plants only to people I like.” Thanks, Mark, who I shall always remember as playing the long, long, piece, “Poet and Peasant” whenever he came over to our house years back.

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Last Sunday, my brother Warto, a humanities instructor at the Gingoog Institute Christian College, delivered the homily at the UCCP church in Lunao, a municipality 30 kilometers west of Gingoog. Our late mother, Corazon Maristela Torrevillas, an active lay preacher, helped restore the church facility which was rundown. My late sister, Louella, was the church organist for many years.

Warto’s message focused on the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ, the reason for the celebration of God’s coming to earth in human form. He read the scriptural account of the joy felt by Mary, who had been blessed to carry Jesus in her womb.

I have before me a copy of The Gideons International Bible, where the story of the visit between cousins Mary and Elizabeth are related in Luke 1:39-56.

After the angel Gabriel told Mary of her being chosen to carry the “Holy One who is to be born to be called the Son of God” . . . Mary rose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah.

“And entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.

“And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. (My words: Elizabeth had also been blessed by carrying a baby although she and her husband Zacharias were quite old.)

“Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, ‘Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

“But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

“For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy.

“Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.

“And Mary said: ‘My soul magnifies the Lord,

“And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

“For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.

“For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.

“And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.

“He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

“He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly.

“He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.

“He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy,

“As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever.

“And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.”

Mary and Elizabeth’s coming together is a perfect example of two women bonding together and sharing their joy about their blessed state. In our day and age, we have friends I share my deepest thoughts and anxieties, and sources of happiness with. Thank God for these women, friends – beyond Christmas Day.

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Christ’s 2018th birthday is today. Let us celebrate His birth with joy and thanksgiving.  

Merry Christmas, and an abundant New Year ahead.

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