January 2013 – The Cuthing Edge

The ‘Ber’ months usher a welcoming atmosphere that tells us the arrival of Christmas. It is made apparent by people’s enthusiasm for the long joyful celebration. Christmas trees festooned with shimmering lights and elaborate decors are put up, in almost every home, as early as September. Christmas carols begin to fill the air. And the spirit of the season is everywhere.

Dubbed as the most wonderful time of the year, Christmas is a time of joy and merriment even for the poor. It is the time of fat boons, fabulous giveaways and the sometimes spiraling-out-of-control shopping sprees. It is the time of the year when everyone is kind and, at times, extravagant. But for many, it is the perfect time for family gathering and thanking God for all His blessings throughout the year. Amid the welcoming gust of Christmastide, however, there are people who have to wallow and wonder how to spend Christmas away from home. And I am no exception.

For the past 10 years, Christmas has been blue for me. The memory of it takes me to the happy times I spent with my family when I was a young boy—and reminiscing those times only brings tears to my eyes. Since I started working, I’ve been spending Christmas away from home. Living islands and miles away from home is not a simple situation for someone like me who considers family as inspiration and strength. With too little options to choose from, I could not forbid but miss many major celebrations, family gatherings, and special occasions such as Christmas.

The breeze of the Yuletide season will always slap my core with nostalgia. The flickering Christmas lights, the sonorous children’s carols, the busy shoppers, and the jovial displays of Christmas-inspired items at the malls and even at the bazaars and sidewalk-vendor stalls will squash my heart. The tear-jerking Christmas songs, the television shows and movies with a touch of cheerful Christmas spirit, the ubiquitous parties, the exciting gift-giving, and of course, the lavish food, all brings me to a poignant recollection of the many Christmases I spent with my family.

Christmas 2012 was my third in Cebu City, alone. But definitely, it’s not the first ‘third time’ that I wouldn’t be able to sit by a Christmas tree surrounded with gifts or share a meal with my family. Well, I had to consider a lot of things before I decide to go on vacation. I was jealous of some of my teammates who were very excited about their trips for the holidays. I wish I could experience their being almost impatient to see their families and share in the glorious celebration of the Christmastide. But I had to settle myself and resolved to make the best of what was possible to do to make Christmas of 2012 different from the previous many years.

Like me, there were many people who shared in the same dilemma—or I would like to consider it a scourge. James, who’s from Bukidnon, believes his concept of Christmas has changed now that he is no longer a boy.

“Perhaps, I’ll just drink all by myself since my sister will be working on Christmas Eve. Not that I’ll be drinking for the reason that my sister won’t be with me or that I’ll be alone, it’s just another long weekend and the “working” life leaves little time for the good times,” he shared.

For Michelle, who’s from Iloilo, Christmas 2012 will be a “me” time.

“For the past 20 years, I’ve celebrated it at home with my family and relatives. Now that I’m here, I’ll be celebrating Christmas alone for sure. I’ll shop for a dozen of books, buy several notebooks and pens then close off myself in my room and wallow in the musings of life. In short, I’ll be doing what I love the most in this world—read and write. Seriously though, I think I’m going to cruise to some places here in Cebu,” she revealed.

You see, it’s like they were talking about me because like them, I would be alone. I wouldn’t attend the midnight mass, I wouldn’t feast on a sumptuous noche buena, I wouldn’t sing carols, I wouldn’t open presents, I wouldn’t play the firecrackers, or take souvenir photos.

Well, I would say it’s different this year because I attended the team’s Christmas party and won one of the major prizes for my colleague, joined in the games and enjoyed the food. I also had fun with my small circle of friends—we ate, drank, sing, dance, and enjoyed the conversations. Not to forget, I received a few Christmas gifts. Aside from those events, I really thought I would spend Christmas 2012 like the previous many years—working, curling up in bed, and listening to my favorite music until I fell asleep.

We spread Christmas cheers before we parted ways for the holidays. And surprisingly, an almost instant writers’ pre-Christmas getaway plan suddenly came up. So on the 23rd, I and six of my fellow writers—Jeff Bacolod, Anna Lopez-Beza, Camille Marie Marcon, John Gleen Grava, Michelle Rendaje, and James Ryan Piloton—took a road trip that brought us miles away from the bustling city and convened with Mother Nature, swam in a freezing cold waterfall, trekked a rugged, semi-treacherous terrain, mingled with some folks and foreigners, and then basked in the white sandy beach watching the magnificent sunset.

Kawasan Falls offered a unique reprieve from anything that saddled our everyday life in the city, or at work. It was a physical workout, adventure and celebration rolled into an exclusive revelry. The Moalboal White Sand Beach was an unforgettable experience. The sunset was beautiful despite the enveloping clouds. We saw people of different colors eating, drinking, dancing, playing games, and taking pictures. It was absolutely full of fun and enjoyment. To view some photos of our trip, click here.

“The journey was whimsical and at the same time, enigmatic. Going to Kawasan Falls and to Moalboal was definitely the cherry on top of my wonderful year. Indeed, laughter is best shared when you are with your friends,”declared John Gleen Grava.

“It was very memorable, and I had a lot of fun. I particularly love the ride, because it gives me a nostalgic and exhilarating feeling. Aside from the fact that I’m crazy about nature trips and I’d always rather choose the countryside over any city, it was a great bonding experience with fellow writers even if there were only seven of us. I’d definitely want to do it again!” expressed Michelle Rendaje.

With this amazing and unforgettable event, I would say Christmas away from home was not blue for me, or for John Gleen, Michelle, and James too, at all. But no matter how you feel about Christmas, whichever way you celebrate it, you should always remember that the true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus Christ. We are reminded of His purpose to this world and it isn’t about where you are or what you get, it’s about sharing the joys of life to others and carrying the Christmas spirit wherever you go.

10 Simple Tips on How to Celebrate Christmas Away From Home

Don’t ever think that you are alone. There are many of you around, so connect and make exciting plans together. There are so many ways to celebrate Christmas away from home.
Go shopping and look for nice, inexpensive items for yourself, your friends and your loved ones. This will help you discover another meaning of the season,
Prepare really good books to read, happy movies to watch.
Meet some friends.
Go to Church, and thank God for all the blessings you received.
If you can’t be with some friends on Christmas Eve, prepare something for yourself—buy a small chocolate cake, pasta, fruits, pizza, roasted chicken or pork, and red wine. Then, celebrate it with your favorite music or watch a good movie at the comfort of your own bed.
When you are living in a boarding house, share your food to your board mates or the house owner. It will inspire shared celebration.
Spread the Christmas cheer!
Watch the fireworks display.
Write something cheery and sleep with happy memories.