Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, CRS!

December 25. A date that almost everyone in the world has been waiting for, annually. It is a holy and sacred holiday that is celebrated by many Christians around the globe with different cultures and traditions. Under Christian religions, faith is to respect this day which is one of the most important days in the calendar—the birth of Jesus Christ. There are many ways to celebrate this event such as gift-giving, Christmas tree decorating, or out-of-town vacations. In the Philippines, the essence of Christmas is family gathering. Christmas has always been very fruitful along with the family members you celebrate with. Here comes reminiscing the memories you’ve had for the whole year before embracing the new year that comes days after Christmas. This is where family is bound to meet, especially when they aren’t residing in one residence anymore. People go home from work, and people work for a living especially when the shift is necessary.

Just this year 2021, a flash of haunting memories came in as the central and southern areas of the Philippines have been struck by the Super Typhoon Odette (International name: Rai) which is also the same with Sendong, last 2016 as it happened the same date: December 16. Families lost their homes. People lost their family members, including their pets, as it left a great chaos not just here in Cagayan de Oro City but also in the other areas in Visayas and Mindanao. A harsh welcome before the Christmas celebration in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Amidst the crisis, Filipinos have been very resilient since then. Help has come into the way of hope. Our fellow Filipinos took action and extended hands to our brothers and sisters who were in need. Filipinos strive to stand firm and celebrate Christmas with full of hope and faith to rise up again, start over and welcome the new year that is about to come.

New Year is celebrated across the globe with a joyous and cheerful atmosphere that binds everyone at home. December 31st at midnight signifies the start of the new year 2022. The New Year is one of the major events for many people, and everyone has their unique style of celebrating a new year. Some countries take a few days of celebrating a new year; some buy rounded fruits, wear polka dots, and even throw coins as a sign of abundance of money. Some smash plates, eat grapes, jump seven waves, feast, or even ring bells 108 times. We celebrate the new year differently, but we celebrate it as one with hope and new opportunities to come.

2022 has come; several parts of the Philippines haven't recovered yet from Typhoon Odette that struck about weeks ago. This hasn't been easy for many people, they have to start all over after the tragedy that hit the country, and millions of survivors are in desperate need of assistance and emergency. Filipinos are known for being joyous and resilient people. On the brighter side of the new year, lots of people, not just in the Philippines but also from other nations, help people in the Philippines to recover and give them their daily needs. The new year is for everyone, and every person deserves a warm welcome even if there's a calamity that hits the country. Everyone sends their way of helping, from giving goods, posting on social media, raising funds, and many other ways of helping the people of the Philippines. Christmas 2021 and New Year 2022 have become meaningful, still, and it is because we can still celebrate with a smile on our faces after everything we’ve been through. Indeed, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, CRS!

Written by: Joiz Comely S. Nillas & Juan Miguel Palarca, CRS Newsletter Writers