SUBSCRIBE23rd of December
23 Dec. Two days from now and it will be Christmas Day! How time flies so fast. I just didn’t realize it that I’m already 1 year and a month here in Makati. Come tomorrow afternoon, and as usual, I’ll be having my work duty but this time, I’ll be in Paranaque, at our Network Operations Center. It was supposed to be a crossover 24 going 25 of December, one of two of the year’s most anticipated events (the other is New Year’s Day) when network usage is at its peak. But then my manager called this evening and informed me that duty will be starting tonight and that I can report for a 0800H - 1700H duty.
Swell. It will be my first time in years that I won’t be doing any crossover duty. Come midnight, I’ll be having noche buena with my amour. 
Just a year ago, I was able to go home, spend my crossover duty and holidays in Cebu. This time, its just two of my staff were given the priviledge: one in Cebu, the other in Davao. Hmmm… as much as I want to go home even for the New Year, it seems that this time, I will just pass off the possibility as plane fare’s just too high.
Christmas, and as usual, the shopping frenzy is high. The usual congested department store counters with people lining up with items to be given as gifts, restaurants’ kitchen busy for partying diners or catering to this party here and there and preparing cakes, pastries and anything that will be sold for the noche buena feast back in people’s homes.
Christmas. Its just too commercialized. A season of hope, forgiveness and sharing transformed into a season of bright, showy and expensive gifts. New clothes, new toys and gadgets that are sure to be flaunted about but hey, everyone’s got an excuse to splurge on their bonuses. Of hard earned money going down the cashier’s counter. Kaching! Kaching! Kaching!
Christmas. Its also the time of year that people and corporations start to remember that there are also other less unfortunate people around. That’s why, they compensate their seeming forgetfullness with gifts, donations and parties for a cause. After the holidays, its back to the old mindset and people in orphanages, hospital wards, old people’s shelter and other disadvantaged persons to just simply stay back and yearn that the next Christmas would not be too far behind.
How I would hope that it will be a simple event that would really be celebrated for its meaning and not for its momentary luster that dazzles the eye.
