Christmas, the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. ~Roy L. Smith

Christmas is undoubtedly the most wonderful time of the year. Personally, Christmas season is always my favorite time because of the festive Christmas decorations and songs, the nippy weather and the happy smiles of the people.

I asked some personalities to share their most memorable Christmas and how they intend to celebrate the holidays this year. Some of our Boholano friends asked simply ignored the questions. Here are those who shared their seasonal thoughts:

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

The Christmassy house of the Paredes

 family in Dauis town in memory 

of Roochie.  Contributed Photo/Rosalinda Paredes

Rosalinda Paredes— Christmas of 1981 was most memorable to me though a bit sad. It was the last Christmas of my three-year old daughter, Roochie, who was then fighting for her life due to cancer of the brain. For the first time, Rene and I pooled meager resources and invested in Christmas lights so we can give Roochie a colorful and starry Christmas every kid desires. Roochie died June the following year. But, we still keep her memory by making sure we enliven our house during Christmas time with multi-colored lights and glittering lanterns so every child and those adults who remain kids-at-heart will enjoy the happy spirit of season. Merry Christmas!

Queenie Melody Fullante— For me, every year is memorable because though our family celebrate it in the same ways every year, the joy that I feel always increases knowing that we get another year to celebrate it together.

Vera Villocido-Gesite— When my two children were in the elementary grades and I was a high school teacher, we had the same Christmas break. I loved that we were able to do things together and go to places together during the holidays. My favorite was taking long drives with them to Southern California and singing along the way or watch cartoons. And then go to the happiest place on earth - Disneyland. It simply was joy to enjoy the rides and see the sights in the eyes of my children. And, especially because at that time, they also enjoyed and loved my company.

ChitoVisarra— As you start to feel the aches of age, holidays are more of reminiscing and the joy of seeing the young ones revel in the things you enjoyed years back.

Idy Caseñas Cagas —Every Christmas spent at home is always memorable for me. This time of the year, I always look forward to being able to celebrate with them. After my first Christmas away from home few years ago, I had a whole new appreciation of being able to spend Christmas with them. It made me cherish every memory. Treasuring every moment with them and spending time with them are the most precious ones. This year, I will have to miss Christmas with my family because of work, but it will still be a memorable one, it will still be a merry Christmas as my partner and I will get to spend our first Christnas together.

For Vera Villocido-Gesite, her most 

memorable Christmas was bringing 

her children to Disneyland. 

Contributed Photo/Pinay Adiong

Anna Maris Igpit-Taylor—My most memorable Christmas would be 2013 after the earthquake and typhoon Yolanda that affected thousands of Filipinos. It was the most humbling event in my life and I saw right before my eyes the true meaning of Christmas. It's not about the presence of gifts and food but it's about being giving joy and love to other people in whatever forms. I believe it will always be my most memorable Christmas, an event I can't wait to share with my kids and grandchildren in the future.

CHRISTMAS 2016

Adelyn  Joy Esclamado—Christmas season is the season of giving, I intend to give  simple gifts to children at our place and spread love and happiness. I want to be an advocate of positivity for the year to come. Christmas will be merrier with the persons I love, and in connection to that, I will spend my Christmas day with my family who are always there with me through the years.  I want to give back to them the happiness they gave me.

Eden Descallar- Ceballos— Nothing beats the feeling of spending it with your loved ones, our family. And sharing our blessings to the people who are with us this year.

Mikey Gatal—Though many sad things happened in my life this year, I will still celebrate Christmas for it's the of the year to be forgiving, sharing, happy and thankful to God for all the blessings He has given me. Nothing special but all I can say is, love is still in the air.

Butch Bernas— I will clean my room; attend 9 novena and misa de gallo. Oops, I will attend parties, reunions with family.

Leah Tirol-Magno—Baking and decorating more cakes!

Benjie Oliva—We will celebrate the holidays this year with the family in prayer and thanksgiving to the Father Almighty for the bountiful blessings that He has given us for 2016. My family and in-laws are all in Bohol for the celebration. We will take this opportunity also to spend the holidays with relatives and friends in Catigbian, Tagbilaran City and Panglao.

Benjie Oliva and his family will spend Christmas in Bohol. 

Contributed Photo/Oliva Family

Fiel Angeli  Araoarao-Gabin—Christmas this year is simpler than the past years, but most  importantly, it will be spent with family, with prayers for thanksgiving.

Clement Ingking—Christmas season is always my favorite time. It’s the time of the year when every one seems to be more giving, happier and more forgiving in remembering and celebrating the birth of our dear saviour, Lord Jesus Christ. Personally, I believe the best Christmas for me is now because I know I am able to breeze through the stormy phase in my life and found the peace and true happiness that I have long been praying for.

Glorivic Yap-de la Serna—I will spend my Christmas with my family. I am thankful for all the blessings and the tests which strengthen our bonds.

Van Delima— I intend to celebrate Christmas with my family. I want to make most of the time as we gather entirely in this joyous occasion

Imaculada Cleofe Leopardas—Well this year, my holiday would be the start of something new, something I cannot live without. I would celebrate this year's holidays by spreading the seeds of love everyday. I'll surely have a time with my family and I'd connect with my loved ones and remind them about how thankful I am to have them in my life. I'll send personal messages to the people I'll treasure forever and I'll be a lot jollier this Christmas. I'd probably make my heart happy by doing good deeds and sharing my blessings to those who are in need. I'd continue to be true to myself and live the real spirit of Christmas.

AR de la Serna- I will spend Christmas with my family. This year, I have received a lot of blessings. Dreams do really come true.

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Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohanINQ at Twitter /Facebook.

The most Christmassy places on Bohol

Christmas is the gentlest, loveliest and most exciting festival of the year when presents are wrapped, foods are prepared and decorations are hung.

But where would you find the most Christmas spirit in Bohol? It's hard to say for certain, here are my top picks for the most Christmassy places around Bohol.

CHRISTMAS VILLAGE – Hermila “Mila” Lim loves Christmas time so much she starts decorating as early as October to enjoy her own personal village that is set up inside her house.

Each holiday season the village fills Mila Lim’s home.
From the middle of October until the middle of January
 the room is covered with glistening lights,
small buildings, snow and tiny people. - LPU

Mila began her Christmas Village project in 2008 for her own family at her house on M. Torralba Street. Her collection of miniature Christmas houses and objects has grown since.

Mila greets visitors to her home, the start of the fun. Upon entering, a visitor immediately hears the song, “Deck the Halls with boughs of holly, Fa la la la la, la la la la... ‘Tis the season to be jolly, Fa la la la la, la la la la...” and sees a garden decorated with small snowman figures.

Once inside, however, visitors are magically transported to an elegant festival filled with all the symbols of Christmas.

The Christmas village at the main entrance is filled with trees of green and gold, colorful mini-shops, miniature skiers up and down the slopes, carnival rides, dancers twirling to a waltz inside a gazebo, skaters in the park, Santa Claus dancing and flying on sleighs, and a Christmas train running in circles.

As you continue through the house and see Santa's kitchen and dining room where the table is festively decorated for a Christmas meal. Drinking glasses and place mats bear the Christmas motif, acquired during Mila’s travels with her husband to Israel, Australia, Hong Kong and China.

If meeting Santa is on your Christmas to-do-list
 then a trip to Sierra-Bullones is a must.
The town has the tallest
and biggest Santa Claus in the country. -LPU

Fascinated by St. Nicolas since childhood, Mila’s home has an array of Santa likenesses, in a variety of shapes and sizes collected for the past 14 years—at the doorsteps and all over inside the place. These include a drunk Santa, a photographer Santa, a Santa Claus band, Santa in a parachute, singing and dancing Santas with reindeer and even a Tarzan Santa. Another hallmark of the home is an animated fireplace.

“It's fixed up like a little city. It gives me joy," she said with a laugh.

Mila and her husband, Teofilo, own one of the biggest liquified petroleum gas (LPG) dealership firms in Tagbilaran City.

Note: A must-see. Christmas lights adorn the houses of Allan Lumanao in Tomas Cloma Avenue cor Graham Avenue, Booy District, Tagbilaran City and Rosalinda Paredes in Dauis.

Thousands of twinkle lights bring holiday cheer
 to people at the Tagbilaran City Hall Compound. – LPU

SPARKLING LIGHTS

The Tagbilaran City Hall turns into one of the country's most magical capitals this year’s Christmas, thanks to the thousands of festive lights and decorations. The silver and white motif provided a wonderful ambience in the midst of the on-going city hall rebuilding.

The Christmas tree at Plaza Rizal. -LPU

Sparkling Christmas lights have been placed in the trees inside the FCB Main Building Compound in Taloto District, this city. They have the biggest belen, too.

The light displays at the Plaza Rizal regularly dazzle residents.  This year, a giant Christmas tree adorned with Christmas gifts attracts visitors.

TALLEST SANTA CLAUS

Christmas would obviously not be Christmas without Santa Claus, Pere Noel or Father Christmas. Whatever the name, his popularity among children (and many adults) is perennial.

                                                                                                                         

That’s why the municipality of Sierra-Bullones has the 25-feet Santa Claus, probably the tallest in the country and in the world. It took one month to finish the foundation of the Santa Claus; and two weeks to dress the Santa Claus. According to Mayor’s Office, it should be ready before the town's fiesta on Dec. 8. Their Santa Claus is a white-bearded man wearing a red coat with white collar and cuffs, white-cuffed red trousers, and black leather belt and boots. It has eyeglasses, too. His other hand is carrying a bag and the other hand is making a high-five sign.

The giant Santa Claus inside
 the Island City Mall. –LPU

An animated moving Santa is sure to attract attention inside the Island City Mall. Santa has no elves but he has reindeers to help him.

CHRISTMAS TREES

Why do we love Christmas trees? To help spread the holiday cheer, the Alturas Mall has the oh-so-bright evergreens for your viewing pleasure.  The Christmas tree of the Metro Centre Hotel has the lanky conifers with long, graceful branches seem particularly enchanting to all.

Above all, the home is the most Christmassy place because it is engulfed with love, peace and unity as the season of Christmas should be.

Various parols and belens are displayed at Tubigon town plaza to bring more cheer to this year’s Christmas celebration. The holiday ambience that Tubigon affords its visitors is making the place as one of the Most Christmassy Places on Bohol. 

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Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohan at Twitter /Facebook.