
I woke up and glanced at my huge wall clock—it’s 8:30 in the morning of 12.20.2011 and goodness gracious I’m LATE! I should be in Tanglaw in an hour. I fixed myself up for half an hour then, hailed a cab and at exactly 10 in the morning, I made it.
It’s good to see Tanglaw after several months – the same brick-walled center with pretty new faces (let’s say new friends). They were the ones who invited me along with another friend to join the Christmas Party of Tanglaw Catechism Club in Paltok, Quezon City. Basically, I knew what to expect since I’ve been to several Christmas parties for kids some years ago. Plus, I am a kid enthusiast so I wasn’t really worried.
With just finishing a bunch of exams the past week, I was initially feeling exhausted but after seeing more or less 50 adorable kids, my nerves were stimulated and I said to myself “Oh my gosh, this is it!” and “I wanna do this!” That was when everything fell into place. It was like a wakeup call that I needed to bid farewell to my dentistry stuffs for awhile and Christmas is just around the corner.
As the kids were on the dance floor, I realized that the party was yet to start. The kids danced to the tune of 2012 with Ate Krish and Ate Daisy. Before that, there was Pinoy Henyo wherein the kids guessed things related to Christmas. Soon afterwards, Ate Sheena sang Price Tag for the kids. Before singing, she explained that during Christmas, it is not the gifts that are important but one who is celebrating his birthday, Jesus. From this I saw that although it was a party, God was still placed as the center which made the party exceptional and worth remembering. I think those kids are smart in a sense that they know what Christmas is for – that it is not just about having material things.
During the presentations, the kids were given prizes and school supplies which they can use for the Catechism classes. The kids received a Noche Buena package for their families and a plastic envelope with school supplies for their Catechism classes every 2nd and 4thSaturday. My heart started to pound after seeing their beautiful smiles engraved on their fresh faces after winning and receiving their prizes and gifts. I was captivated by one kid whom I asked “bakit mo tinatago yung gift mo at Noche Buena package mo?” He was actually wrapping his gifts with his handkerchief for others not to see it. The kid replied: “baka kasi may mawala eh! Bibigay ko sa nanay ko”. At a very young age he knew how to share to his family whatever he has received. As funny as it may seem, I never thought like that when I was his age. I was young and carefree so all I knew was to play, play and play. I never thought of having any responsibility but that kid taught me a good lesson.
Then, another kid, whom I won’t forget, told me that he will be using the plastic envelope he received as a present to keep his things from getting wet whenever it rains. It is lovely to know that they value whatever they have and that they are contented with the presents they received. Nowadays, contentment is hard to achieve but it is a key to happiness like what this kid showed me.
All in all, the party was exceptional since it highlighted faith, love, care, togetherness and affection shared by one another—all of which I think, are the main ingredients of having a Genuine Christmas. As the saying goes, “The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other”. And with all these, I realized that Christmas is not about how extravagant your Noche Buena is or how chic your gifts are but Christmas is more about how you spend it with the people you love even without having the best of everything. Lending a hand even just for a day during the Christmas season was truly worth it.
Thank you to the children who were so kulit for making my day. Let us make Christmas felt all year round. Thanks a bunch Tanglaw for a very wonderful experience. I enjoyed it!
Mina Fernandez is a Dentistry student from University of the East.