Dr. George S. Chua l December 21, 2023 l Manila Bulletin
I often think about what makes Christmas work for so many people not just in terms of the religious and spiritual significance but also on the joyful and holiday atmosphere side. In my opinion, while there are many things that contribute to the overall Christmas spirit, there are 3 things you would need to have to enjoy a Merry Christmas.
You must have People, Physical Wellbeing and Pesos. People are quite easy to understand because it is important that the population is able to understand and appreciate what is being celebrated. It would be hard to celebrate Christmas if nobody knows and believes what it is all about. This is the reason that mostly non-Christian countries do not celebrate Christmas. Some countries that recognize Christmas do so only for commercial reasons and do not consider it part of their custom and tradition.
Your physical wellbeing is often taken for granted specially if there is nothing wrong with you. Christmas will not be the same if you are physically incapacitated. How can someone who is comatose be able to participate and enjoy Christmas? You will need some degree of mobility to attend the various parties and gatherings. Part of the celebratory process is to mix and mingle with your relatives and friends. To be able to get the full benefit of having a great Christmas means you feel good and be able to walk around.
While many will say that you don’t need to have pesos to have a Merry Christmas, the reality is workers will complain if they do not get their 13 th month pay on time, indicating that the money is needed to buy gifts, spend for parties and taking the family out. Of course, most people have a budget to work with and limit what they can spend. Others are able to spend more than they should by borrowing money and using their credit card to the max. The pesos will also be used primarily to spend on another 3 Ps, namely Presents, Parties and Promises, either keeping them or making them.
Under the most ideal situation, you will only be with people you like and care about, which will undoubtedly help in keeping your physical condition good and makes the pesos you spend worth it. Make the best of each Christmas since you can never tell how many you have left. Treasure every encounter, memory and take many photos that you can look at and share, a lasting record of what will be “the good old days!”
Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas and Blessed Holiday Season!
*** (The views and comments of the author are his own and not of the newspaper or FINEX. Dr. George S. Chua was 2016 FINEX President, 2010 to 2020 FPI President, an active entrepreneur, a regular member of the National Press Club, Chairman of Alabang Country Club, a Professorial Lecturer 2 at UP Diliman and BGC, and loves playing golf. Comments may be sent to georgechuaph@yahoo.com)