Dreaming of Tropical Christmas

I can remember from my days in England, watching television at Christmas and see how others celebrated across the world. At one time I used to think people in Australia, which seems to be contained in the news every Christmas Day: "It is not like Christmas, hot weather and going to the beach."

Being a predominantly Christian country, Christmas is a great chance in the Philippines. It is still a religious motive, which of course should be. Only a small percentage of people who can afford gifts, so the emphasis is on family vacations, time together and many go to church. Very few families have something special for Christmas lunch; just do not have the money. They do so, however, as Philippines certainly know how to party.

Despite the lack of money in most families Christmas starts early in the stores around August, one of the things that go on in a big way here is Christmas lights. Sometimes even the poorest homes will be adorned with fairy lights, some quite spectacular displays. Even in early November last year, as I traveled from the jungle on the border 90 kilometers to the south is very magical to see the Christmas lights as we near the city.

My first Christmas in the country was memorable. I was invited to the bride's house on Christmas Eve, poor but good-neighborly relations with the majority of small wooden houses cramped next to each other, intimate to say the least. Outside in the garden (a small yard), there were lights all over the world, created for a party that lasted all night and into the night. I remember the session, because I have everything organized here around me, how magical and special was it. Only a few months earlier I had been a resident in England and had only experienced Christmas in England. Now I was sitting outside on a hot day before Christmas, the sound of tropical insects a prelude to the modern disco music that was to follow later. I loved it.

As with most occasions in the Philippines, there were a lot of children. The neighbors came and went, people shifted from one party to another, and there was a steady flow of people and especially children. Children's games were followed later by adult versions of games for children, most of who come from Western influence, but Philippines always put their own stamp on the outside to take habits. Alcohol would not have been a part of the occasion, but adults were delighted when I offered to buy the beer and rum.

At midnight, I was advised to go inside. I soon saw why. All hell broke loose with fireworks at midnight approached, exploding every tightly packed, confined little garden in the neighborhood. Fireworks have been banned in the UK, but I have to admit that they were very strong and impressive. I was surprised because nobody had warned me beforehand that tradition.

Now, all my Christmas is tropical, and very different from those of England. Sometimes I wonder how much Christmas would change here if it ever became a rich country. The main differences between here and England are the profligate spending and materialism in England, plain and moderate spending in the Philippines. However, Philippines seem to be able to enjoy what the English.

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