A COVID Filipino Christmas

The COVID-19 pandemic that started early this year has changed the world in many ways. It has upended nationals and races in all countries and affected families and individuals regardless of status. On top of the public health devastation, the economic, social, political, moral and religious impact would be most significant. The world is always changing, but this pandemic has altered the pace and direction of change, creating major instabilities. Christmas, which is always a huge event among Filipinos has greatly changed this year. Hopefully, the usual pre-COVID festivities will be back next year, as it is the traditional/handed-down practices that make Filipino Christmas celebrations communal and lasting.

Filipino Christmas celebration usually starts in September, as the “ber” months signals the malls and stores to play Christmas music. This is primarily a sales gimmick by the stores to remind shoppers to buy gifts early with the incentive of lower prices at pre-Christmas sale. Then the religious aspects of Christmas comes in as the Catholic Masses are positioned to the nativity date of Jesus, by way of the sequential lighting of colored candles every week. Homecoming and family reunions are then planned and finalized. Nine days before December 25, the daily dawn Mass every 4 a.m. is started, which will culminate on Christmas Day. This is a family affair with as many members of the family attending, and having breakfast after. This is a great family tradition enjoyed by all economic classes, with the breakfast menu the only indication of income disparity.

The public health protocols, the economic impact of travel restrictions, the quarantines, and the government’s reactions to this pandemic have altered these Christmas practices. Gift shopping in malls have tanked and gone online. The depressed economic conditions have reduced purchasing power of almost all that consumer demand decreased by 50%, shrinking the GDP by 10% this year. Travel restrictions wiped out of town holiday trips, and dining out limitations closed many restaurants. Social distancing requirements and health advisories prohibit parties and social gatherings of over a dozen people. Religious activities including masses are constricted, so the traditional catholic Christmas services/events are scaled down or prohibited. Many of these mandated regulations and restrictions are justifiable for health reasons, but the government has not been pro-active and effective in addressing the issues in this pandemic. Among them, inadequate assistance to the marginalized sectors and affected businesses, delayed reactions to potential infections, testing and vaccine procurement. It has also taken an adversarial stance against the people, making it harder to get their cooperation.

It is likely that the Baby Boomers generation will feel the changed Filipino Christmas celebration more, having observed the traditions longest, but the Generation X and the millennials who have come to cherish the practices will also miss them. Reunions with family and friends, gift giving and sharing, time- offs for holidays, and going back to religion are universal and eternal aspirations. Add to this the Filipino resiliency, having survived all kinds of calamities and hardships over the years, we will not only survive this very different kind of Christmas, but it should make it better for us, our families, relatives, friends and all those less fortunate than us.

Except for a very few, most of us have suffered diminished income and material well-being in this pandemic. However, I have noticed the generosity of many who are sharing and giving to those most affected. I believe this should be our mandate to our altered Christmas celebrations. We should be more sharing and giving, because while we are all in the same storm, some are in smaller boats in more dangerous seas. Merry Christmas to all.