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| Christmas 2020 will likely feel really different as our government
advised us to simplify our Christmas celebrations. Contributed Photos |
We
love the traditions that come with Christmas. The coronavirus pandemic
may mean our Christmas won’t look exactly the same as it usually does.
VRS wanted to know how our friends are planning to navigate, connect, celebrate and reflect the holiday season.
After all, a global pandemic doesn’t have to ruin the festive season completely.
Vera
Villocido-Gesite- Christmas during this pandemic means going to church
and going back to family. It will be mostly just staying at home with
food and singing with just my siblings and their children.
Mikey
Gatal- Due to the current situation, my holiday events are being
canceled. For sure Santa Claus will not stop from giving Christmas
presents. You know what, he is an elderly, so he might rethink of not
working. The good thing is, I heard, he can send some of his hunky Santa
grandsons. I am lucky I have my BFF as the Santa hunk Ha! Ha! Ha!
Better be safe than sorry after all.
Edison
Gumapac- I will celebrate Christmas together with my father, my brother
and his family in a simple gathering of thanksgiving. Even this time of
pandemic it will not change our culture and traditions of finding joy
this holiday that comes from our family. As it is said "family is love. "
Maybe this Christmas, it's hard to feel some fun and happiness
compared to last year because the pandemic limited our activities. But
it doesn't mean Christmas won't look exactly the same as it usually
does, but we can get creative and find some new ways to celebrate.
Anthony
Ceniza- I believe Christmas is everywhere... I will celebrate Christmas
with my boss, colleagues and friends at Dumaluan Beach Resort. I am
praying a safe and simple celebration especially to my family in Cebu.
I'm so excited for my Christmas gifts from my bossing Dr. Doloriech and
Madam Malou Dumaluan! Christmas means Emmanuel, God is with us!
Doris Isabel J. Racho- I will celebrate Christmas with my friends thru gift giving as what we did last year.
Maria
Vanessa Cadorna-Aumentado- This may not be the kind of Christmas
everyone expected but I will always be grateful and thankful to God for
the gift of life, family and friends. Nothing is more important than
celebrating this season with your loved ones. On Christmas Eve, simple
dinner will be prepared. Small get together with the family- my husband,
kids, in-laws, nephews and nieces is what we are looking forward to. On
Christmas day, mass will be celebrated in commemoration of my Father
in-law, the late Governor Erico B. Aumentado's 8th death anniversary.
Despite the crisis we are facing today, I wish everyone a Happy
Christmas and may our New Year be brighter than ever! Hopeful for a very
fruitful and productive year ahead!
Butch
Bernas- Celebrating Christmas same as usual with my family and there is
a bit twist with glam phoshoot this yuletide season amidst the threat
of the COVID19. Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year everyone!
Jeycelle
Espejo-Inting- I usually don't celebrate Christmas being alone for q
sometimes now. Maybe just stay in my apartment and use the two weeks
vacation for my online job.
Arnel
Corbita- Going to church will be my priority. I want to thank God for
all the blessings. After church, I'll go back home for family bonding.
Bhea Minion- I know we all want to roam and go for a walk but because of the pandemic we have a hard time doing it. I will celebrate Christmas with a family reunion. The presence and feeling of love for each other is enough.
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| The Christmas decors inside the Tagbilaran City- General Services Office
headed by Chris John Rener Torralba, Ph.D. Photos: Leo Udtohan |
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And
here’s today’s inspiring story contributed by Gerwin Yudelmo, a call
center agent in Cebu City, who founded the #ProjectHope. He got the
story from a friend of his friend and forwarded it untitled to VRS.
Enjoy reading.
The Little Match Girl Story
This
is the story of a poor little girl who lived with her father. Her
father used to send her to the streets to sell the matchsticks. It was
New Year’s Eve and it was terribly cold out there.
The
Match Girl was noticed by no one and so she couldn’t sell the matches
that day. She was afraid that if she would go home, her father would
beat her. She used to miss her mother and grandmother who were now in
Heaven.
It
was so cold that she finally, dared to lit a match and made herself
warm. Soon, the match turned into a fireplace and she made herself warm.
But it didn’t last for long. Without thinking, she lit the second
match. This time, the wall turned into a veil and she could see a dining
room with lots of delicious foods. But in a couple of seconds, it
vanished.
When
she lit the third match, a beautiful Christmas Tree appeared. It had
many beautiful candles. She wanted to hold the candles. But as she
reached, the candles flew to the sky and turned into stars. Next, when
she lit the match, she saw her grandmother whom she loved the most. One
by one, she struck the whole bundle of matches as she didn’t want her
grandmother to go away.
The
next day, it was the New Year. The match girl was sitting at the corner
with red cheeks and a smiling face. The people there thought she was
trying to keep herself warm last night. But no one knew the magic
moments she spent last night.
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Thanks
for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at
leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohanINQ at Twitter
/Facebook/Instagram.
