Spreading the spirit of bayanihan this Christmas

In my Christmas message last year, I ended with a wish that 2021 would bring hope and that we could put the worst of the trials of 2020 behind us.

While this year had its challenges, we saw things turn the corner with the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines worldwide. In the Philippines this has led to the easing of community quarantine restrictions. So this Christmas we can look forward to celebrating with our family and friends, while still observing minimum public health protocols.

And no place on earth celebrates Christmas like the Philippines. I feel the energy of hopeful people as festive lights are turned back on after last year’s subdued celebration. I see signs around us today of colorful, musical and warm Paskong Pilipino.

It has been a great year in terms of the relationship between Australia and the Philippines. As readers of this column know, 2021 was our year of mateship and bayanihan – when Australia and the Philippines drew on our 75 years of friendship to respond to the challenges of COVID-19. Despite the pandemic, we stood shoulder to shoulder, continuing our wide-ranging collaboration based around strong political, economic, defence, security, development and education partnerships.   And in a high-level ministerial meeting this year, we committed to an ambitious program for increased collaboration and to work towards an Australia-Philippines Strategic Partnership in the future. So we will wrap up the 75th Anniversary of our diplomatic relationship on a high note.

This also concludes my third year as Australia’s Ambassador to the Philippines and it has been an ongoing honor. I first visited this beautiful country when I was a university student some 40 years ago. I experienced the warmth of the Filipino people and felt the dynamic energy. The Philippines captured my attention and I returned many times over the intervening years, during which I saw the friendship between our countries strengthen and grow.

Our friendship starts with the deep bonds between our people. Our people-to-people links are strong and enduring – as they should be for countries that share a home: our Indo-Pacific.

As Ambassador, I have been privileged to visit 45 provinces and innumerable cities to date.  Everywhere I go, Filipinos tell me stories of their connections with Australia. I’ve met so many people who’ve studied in Australia or who have family or friends now living there.

Of course, Filipinos all around the world make a special contribution at this time of year.

It is not unusual now to see some of the traditions the Filipino community has brought to Australia. In many Australian suburbs, such as Blacktown in western Sydney for example, it is not too unusual to see parol on home fronts or for once quiet churches to be now full of people celebrating the tradition of Simbang Gabi.

Like our Filipino friends, Australians regard the festive season as a time to take a break and to spend some quality time with our friends and family.

For me, Christmas celebration with the family means getting together to give out, and receive, presents. To have a lovely meal surrounded by those held most dear and then to join together relaxing and reminiscing or playing games with the children.

I enjoy Christmas most due to the children, particularly now our grandchildren – to see the wonder and pure enjoyment on their faces, and hear the peels of laughter, as they open their presents and see what Santa has provided.

Christmas is a happy time for most, but for many it can be a difficult time, particularly with the events of the past two years.

From what I have seen here, giving and sharing is a Philippine trait. Similarly, being generous to others is an Australian value. Many Australians volunteer for organizations, and around eight out of ten Australians give to charities each year.

In fact, the concept is deeply ingrained in Australian society: it’s what we call “mateship.”

While we identify “mateship” as a very Australian value, we recognize this here too as a very fundamental Filipino trait: what you call “bayanihan.”

As we unwrap gifts and share meals with our loved ones this season, I encourage you all to reflect on the things you can do to share the spirit of bayanihan this holiday season.

So for those of you spreading bayanihan and helping others to recover from the past two years, I dedicate my best Christmas wishes to you.

Maligayang Pasko.  I wish all of you a happy and healthy year ahead.

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Steven J. Robinson AO is the Australian Ambassador to the Philippines. Follow him on Twitter @AusAmbPH.