Moderation: A Holiday Myth
The Yuletides are approaching once again; as
inevitably as the world turns. With it comes the spirit of giving, generosity,
charity; every virtue that is worthy in the life of man towards his fellow
human beings. However, the so-called Christmas spirit, especially in the
Philippines is the mostly utilized alibi against the practice of moderation.
Walk into a grocery or into a crowded market a bit past the middle of December
and there, obviously, are the masses of gallant Filipinos spending their
hard-earned income on the essential ingredients for the upcoming Yuletide
feasting; “The Noche Buena”.
For a large part of the year, individuals
practice moderation with the principle that earning is not an easy feat to do.
The affluent in such reputed residential areas or those near, or in, the
impoverished sector; people normally keep a close watch over their financial
assets; using these in the most reasonable and conservative methods. There are
those who would rather wait for the bi-monthly sale of renowned malls, or
perhaps go to downtown bazaars; also termed as the “ukay-ukay”, just to avail
the cheapest prices possible.
The eleven-month-long period of modesty and
thrifty mannerism, however, all go up in smoke when blinking lights adorn
houses and commercial venues; politicians and traffic enforcers start making
appearances with idiotic red and white headwear; and the never-dying Christmas
carols are resounding almost everywhere. In the Philippines, nobody wants to
play Ebenezzer Scrooge when the citizens are so festive and high-strung about
spending. With the ardour of dishing out money to hold family gatherings and
social assemblies; Charles Dickens’ three ghosts would be completely
insignificant amidst the masses of Yuletide-enlivened citizenry.
A group of persons not going with the flow
of the usual holiday practices would, most likely, be chastised or judged as
pathetic and lifeless. So it really does not matter how much is spent, or if
debts are created just to carry out the practiced yuletide gatherings in the
Philippines. For one evening, the virtue of moderation becomes a myth. It,
therefore, becomes the “spirit” or “ghost” of Christmas in the republic; one
that does not linger to teach the individuals a relevant lesson within the
evening of December 24, or the following day. It makes itself manifest after
the financial assets of Filipinos have literally gone up in smoke; if not swept
off the pavement during the morning of January 1st; a few evil
spirits probably still lingering about since some firecrackers were poorly
manufactured and failed to take part in the midnight noise barrage.
It is undeniably inherent in the character
of Filipinos to not hold back and forget restraints when it comes to occasions
of festivities. That is what makes their trademark around the world as the most
hospitable nation in Asia. And if they are ever to be chastised by other more
advanced nationalities as being unreasonably impractical with the use of their
assets; they would merely shrug their figurative shoulders as a hypertensive
fellow, attending a dinner of roast pork and flowing alcohol, would.
As John Lennon’s immortal song goes, (but
rephrased): “So? This is Christmas!”
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