Around this time of the year, it becomes quite difficult to write about things that have nothing to do with Christmas. You just can't help it because everything around you pretty much reminds you of the spirit of this season.

Through the years, my Christmas has transcended from having that distinct Filipino flavor to that of everything American. It is of course a natural progression because for almost twenty years now, I have been surrounded by the American definition of Christmas.

The trappings may come across as highly commercialized but the spirit of the season is certainly not lost among boxes of ornaments, lit garlands, wreaths, Santa Claus and his reindeers, snowman, Christmas lights and Christmas carols; material components that come with celebrating this season here. To spike it up, you can even throw in snow and experience the extremely cold weather and your holiday becomes picture-perfect American.

But regardless of geography, a Filipino's heart is forever laced with traditions that are difficult to let go. So the best thing to do is improvise, give these traditions a little twist to capture a semblance of the old times.

Take the Simbang Gabi for example. Celebrated at the crack of dawn there, it will take a brave soul to accomplish that in the Chicago area or the Midwest and the northern portion of the United States . The simple act of getting ready becomes a major event as one suits up in layers and layers of thick clothing just to get by. Some winter months are definitely better than others; nevertheless, it is so cold that accomplishing any activity at the wee hours of the morning is extra challenging, if not formidable.

The solution is celebrating Simbang Gabi at night in a lot of parishes around the country. In my parish, our church will have a 7 p.m. mass on Monday, the 17th. These will be followed by daily masses in other churches of the parish at the same time until December 24.

Aside from the time, the one other difference maybe is the food spread that everyone gets to enjoy after mass. It becomes more of a fusion of both the American and Filipino cultures instead of the usual bibingka and puto bumbong . However, the concept, the celebration and everything else about this tradition have remained very Filipino.

At our home, we start our Christmas decorating the Saturday right after Thanksgiving. We bring out the Christmas tree, ornaments, lights, wreaths, garlands, stockings and everything else that we've accumulated through the years. My husband then braves the cold weather as he strings Christmas lights outdoors, on our rooftop and around the house.

This year, the highlight of my Christmas decorating was changing the color of our Christmas tree decoration. From the traditional red and gold (interspersed with silver in previous years), I decided to go “chartreuse-y” this year. With touches of silver, dark and light green, our Christmas tree evokes serenity and a touch of Zen. I think it is really pretty and very soothing, something different.

Admittedly everything in our house screams American — from the glitter and the sparkles of the ornaments to the angel atop the tree, from the wreaths bedecked in sprigs and pinecones to the holiday candles. However, I am also the first to admit that through the years, my husband and I know that one particular decoration is amiss.

The parol . This is one piece of Christmas decoration that could never be more Filipino. Shaped like a star, this Christmas lantern is the Filipino version of the Christmas wreath. It adorns every facet of Filipino life – homes, businesses, public places, and even cars, buses and other forms of transportation. It comes in different colors and sizes. Some are lit, some are not; some are simple, others are intricate and totally extravagant.

Up until recently, the parol was hard to find in my area. Aside from the limited choices one can find at Filipino stores around town, we have to order from California to get a better kind at a much lower price.

Every year, we tell ourselves that we're going to get one. But every year, the holiday season creeps up on us and it leaves us with no time in getting one. For now, we're both content when we chance upon a few homes in our neighborhood with a parol hanging by the window. It brings back a flood of memories and a big smile on our faces. And that's good enough…for now.

Whether it's the belen or the noche buena or the kids caroling with flattened bottle caps strung on a piece of wire as their only musical instrument that are missing from our everyday holiday staple, the Christmas season however brings one other element to the forefront that leaves the biggest void of all – family and friends.

Regardless of how festive our decoration is or whether Santa Claus stands guard outside our house underneath those pretty lights, the absence of family and close friends at this time of the year definitely leaves a hole in my heart. Almost twenty years later, I still pine to be with my brothers and their families, my mother, cousins, aunts, uncles and my closest friends.

From thousands and thousands of miles away, I take comfort in the memories brought forth by reminiscing over the many Christmases that I spent there with family and friends. We cracked walnuts, roasted marshmallows, drank champagne, sang Christmas carols, exchanged gifts and spent time together until the wee hours of the morning. We sort of did it the American way too back then but the atmosphere was definitely 100 percent Filipino.

As the days go by and the coming of the big day is inevitable, my husband, my children and I have carried out our own tradition through the years that we have been here. But we all know in our hearts that everything that we have been doing stem from the fact that we all have experienced what it was like to celebrate Christmas in the Philippines.

We may not be singing Filipino Christmas songs, feasting on lechon or looking at an abundance of parols because for now our reality is across the ocean where snowflakes abound, thick jackets are a must and big guys dressed as Santa are everywhere. But give us time; there is enough inspiration and nostalgia to kick around. Who knows, by Christmas time, we might all be huddled by a fireplace, eating pancit and puto, singing Pasko Nanaman and drinking champagne to simply savor a tinge of what it was like back then.

Till next time, have a wonderful and blessed Christmas!!! Share love and kindness especially during this holiday season. Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Focus

Filipinos & Foreigners Together

A growing local organization – now with a membership of about 120 — is the International Friendship Club of Negros Island, which held its assembly and general election on Nov. 30.

Elected during the assembly were John Bertrand, president; lawyer Raymond Stoffel, vice president; Gloria Fisher, secretary; and Emma Meyer, treasurer with Lazaro Muñoz, Roland Lizares, Portia Koelman, Ian O'connor, Dr. Eliezer de la Cruz and Joey Solinap as trustees and Kees Koelman, Dick Molenaar, lawyer Solomon Lobrido, Martin Fleischhaker and Greg Flores as advisors.

Bertrand, who founded IFCONI with Filipino friends, said the friendship club jopes to be one organization where “everyone helps everyone”. We foreigners, cannot know everything about a country where we were not born but where we choose to live because of its beauty and the kindness and hospitality of its people and the nice climate, he added as he stressed the reason for the formation of the organization. “It's our way of saying Salamat,” he further said as he reiterated that IFCONI members also planning to seek assistance for various programs from their various embassies and cultural attaches in Manila .

IFCONI, the Dutch national said, makes us stick together because thiswa y we can eb happy and lead and prosperous in our lives in Negros .

Stoffel, a Luxembourger, said the organization has lined up various activities for 2008, including scholarship assistance programs, group educational trips and tours and cultural events promoting both the Filipino culture and that of their native countries.

Also lined up is the international food festival, participation in MassKara Festival, and assistance for Negrenses in international businesses and trips.

The members are also looking forward to their Christmas Party at Soleo Resort in San Enrique where they will give presents to children.

IFCONI is composed of about 40 percent foreigners and the rest are Filipinos, Stoffel added.

Stoffel reiterated that they want to increase membership and those interested may contact them. “IFCONI wants Filipinos and foreigners to join us. We have so much in common. We are all friends and friends always help each other,” he stressed.