And So It Is Christmas

A not-so-little girl came up to my car window the other day on my way to work and, with spoon and fork as percussion, proceeded to "serenade" me with what must have been a Christmas carol ( it didn’t sound like "Ang Pasko ay Sumapit"). After a quick stanza she ran off, agilely weaving her way between cars to another part of the intersection, to find other drivers to serenade.

What will her Christmas be like this year? More important, after the festivities–however spartan these may be–what will the coming year bring for her, for her family, for the rest of us? While there is whispered hope that the US economy may be coming out of recession as early as spring of next year–and consequently positively affect other economies–over here we’re still bracing for the lay-offs and down-sizing that will be implemented once the season of goodwill-to-all-men is over.

These days, there are more than enough things to be distressed about: traffic, inept government officials, traffic, corrupt public officials, bandits styling themselves as rebels, clowns styling themselves as legislators, more traffic... Last year we were almost totally consumed by a string of scandals and an impeachment process; we spent a good part of this year on still more scandals. Will we find time in the next year to work on things of import–like true matters of governance and getting the economy going so that by next Christmas maybe that not-so-little girl won’t have to be at my car window with spoon and fork and an off-key song?

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I’d like to make a special pitch for the free concert tonight (at the Quezon Memorial Circle at 6 pm) of the Quezon City Performing Arts Development Foundation. I had the chance to work with some of these kids last October when they joined Ballet Philippines’ Shoes++. Then as now, they dance not only with a whole lot of heart but with boundless energy, dynamic grace and a positive glow that seems to make stage lights unnecessary. They are such a joy to watch on stage; when you realize the odds they have had to overcome to get where they are, you will all the more appreciate their achievement. Read about their stories on page ten.

May Christ be at the center of your Christmas. Maligayang Pasko.