Christmas is Not about Gifts and Money

The longest celebration of Christmas in the world is in the Philippines (one of two predominantly Christian nations in Asia...and you still think the Philippines is the only one?), some celebrate it once the "ber" month of September begins, some join right after Halloween is over. It will end on the Day of the Three Kings (or Magi), called Epiphany.

The month of December is the time of sales promotions with shopping malls announcing sale, promos and bargains, making road traffic unbearable. Many people, who seem to not run out of cash, go on a shopping spree. ATMs start going offline and dispense only either P500 or P1000 bills while some go to their banks to exchange crisp bills fresh from the money-making machines of the BSP.

How does Tutubi celebrate Christmas? He's used to simple celebration, stay at home, no feasts and lavish spending, no materialism and commercialized Christmas celebration. Most of his Christmas bonus went straight to his savings account after shaving off mortgages for his future home, slowly but surely preparing for his planned early retirement in the Philippines which is an uncommon habit for Filipinos who'd start the new year broke due to overspending during the holiday season.


Two bundles of crisp twenty peso bills for Christmas giveaways to children. This used to be hundred pesos, then fifty pesos, and now, due to the crisis and hard times made more difficult with multiplying nephews, nieces and godchildren, now just twenties or veinte pesos.

Tutubi's a "gifted child" annually during his company's Christmas party with his officemates giving him gifts. It's great even if he has yet to win any major raffle prizes at Chrismas parties

Christmas is not about gifts and money, it's meant for spreading message of love, peace and hope even if you're "pesoless."

Merry Christmas and a Hopefully No Recession New Year!

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Christmas in the Philippines