Away for the holidays

WITH MORE AND MORE FILIPINOS LIVING AND WORKING ABROAD, MAIDA C PINEDA EXPLORES HOW THEY STILL MANAGE TO CELEBRATE A FILIPINO CHRISTMAS

BANGKOK: THE GODFATHER

ERAS MAGALLANES, client service director, Foote Cone & Belding

With a Buddhist population of 94.2 per cent, it is not surprising that Christmas is a regular working day in Thailand. Christians only account for 0.08 per cent of the population, but local Filipinos don’t let it dampen their festive spirit. Eras Magallanes is one such Filipino who joyfully celebrates Christmas in the land of a million Buddhas.

Eras is client service director for Foote Cone & Belding Indochina, covering Bangkok, Cambodia and Vietnam, and has been happily working and living in Bangkok for the past 10 years. Over 20 years ago it was the “can do” attitude that endeared Eras to Minyong Ordoñez, one of the most respected names in Philippine advertising. This same attitude endears him to his clients.

Since the Christmas spirit is not in full swing in Thailand, he makes sure it happens in his adopted home. Last year, he recreated the Filipino tradition of Noche Buena (a traditional feast after midnight mass) by having an elaborate spread of Filipino fare – adobo, pancit, embotido, and pinakbet. Thanks to Cebu Pacific’s “Go Fares,” he flew in his sister, his brother, nieces, and even the beloved family cook, Nelsie, to spend Christmas with him in Bangkok. He invited some office colleagues and closest friends and they had a festive gathering of 30 people in his apartment. Together, they celebrated the Christmas traditions Eras had experienced as a young child, including preparing his late mother’s Sweet Macaroni Fruit Salad, a secret family recipe always served for dessert at Christmas. As the name suggests, adding macaroni is a twist on the usual fruit salad and only Eras and his siblings now know the special recipe.

Like most Filipino clans who gather on Christmas Eve, there must be the traditional gift giving. Eras prepared gifts for all his guests and had special raffle prizes. As you’d imagine from an outgoing advertising executive, he sets the festive mood by going all-out, decking his home with Christmas decorations from the Philippines and providing his colleagues and friends with precious photo opportunities. His festive mood extends to the office, where every year his department dresses up their workplace in Christmas decorations.

There are some things that Eras cannot exactly recreate and he misses the tradition of Pamamasko, where young children go to their godparents’ homes with a greeting for the holidays and collect their Christmas presents. But taking his duties as a Ninong (Godfather) to heart, he has a deep commitment to gift-giving and, even miles away from his godchildren, he wraps and sends his gifts to his 25 inaanaks (godchildren) every year.

Family is an essential part of Eras’s life and if his family can’t join him in Bangkok at Christmas, Eras has been known to treat his closest Thai friends to a free trip to join him in celebrating Christmas with his family in the Philippines.

SINGAPORE: GOOD TIDINGS HE BRINGS…
RICO HIZON, business anchor on BBC World News

Rico Hizon is no stranger to television viewers worldwide. He stands out as the lone Filipino TV presenter among the BBC’s employees, his program being watched by 280 million households worldwide. He is on air seven times a day, delivering the Asian Business Report and World Financial News live from the Singapore studio every weekday. As long as the world markets are open, then this broadcaster is at work giving viewers the latest developments in the business sector. Rico has mastered delivering stock market drops and lay-offs, as well as interviewing industry leaders with ease while still exuding the endearing warmth so characteristic of Filipinos. Recognizing excellence in his craft, Rico was a 2006 The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) awardee for international journalism and community service.

As a result of his work with the BBC, Singapore has been home to Rico and his wife Melannie, and their chatty, inquisitive three-year-old, Migo for the past nine years.

While Rico’s seriousness for his BBC job is obvious, he’s equally serious about celebrating Christmas. Like most Filipinos, he gets into the festive spirit as soon as the “ber” months roll in; from as early as September he begins playing Christmas carols at home. Rico, Melannie, and Migo decorate their Christmas tree together, and always top it off with their parol (a star lantern) made of capiz shell. He also sings out loud at the office to help his BBC colleagues get in the spirit of the season, which certainly perks up the rather serious tone there.

Rico admits that Christmas is not as widely celebrated in Singapore as it is in the Philippines: “Singapore is a multi-racial society unlike the dominantly Catholic Philippines. There are about 25 holidays celebrated in Singapore honoring the different religions found in Singapore from Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism.”

He adds: “Unlike New Year’s Eve in Manila with fireworks and countdowns, here it is a quieter affair. The bigger celebration happens in Chinese New Year sometime in late January to mid-February.”

Singapore is not lacking in Christmas spirit, however. He boasts that the lights and decorations along Orchard Road and Scotts Road outdo the holiday spectacle in Makati and Ayala Avenue. The shopping malls are decked with icons of the Power Puff Girls or Disney characters clad in Santa Costumes. While the decorations are festive, Rico does miss the way Filipinos mark the true essence of the season with Belens (nativity scenes).

Yet those Filipinos who find themselves in Singapore this Christmas need not feel homesick. From 16 to 24 December, the Filipino tradition of Misa de Gallo (nine consecutive gift masses) are held in Catholic churches around Singapore. However, it has a twist:

“Instead of having it at 4am or 5.30am as we traditionally do in the Philippines, we have it at 8.30pm, to accommodate the hours of professionals in Singapore. And it moves to a different Catholic Church every night, with a bus available to take you there,” Rico says.

In true Pinoy fashion, Rico happily shares the fact that there is puto bum-bong (a traditional Filipino Christmas dish of purple rice and coconut) and hot chocolate available after mass. On Christmas Eve and Christmas day, Filipino families and friends gather along dining tables laden with dishes, including Filipino favorites like pancit (a noodle dish) from either Lucky Plaza or the 7,107 Flavours restaurant in Singapore.

Aside from his job at the BBC, Rico and his wife are busy with Art Sentral Asia, where these two art collectors exhibit four times a year, to promote and educate Singapore collectors on the talent of Filipino artists. In addition, Rico began a website a year ago called www.goodnewspilipinas.com, where Filipinos all over the world can access timeless stories of kindness, accomplishment, and success of their fellow Filipinos. Rico explains: “There is no bad news here, only a celebration of good news.”

This news presenter does not just deliver the news at the BBC, he brings good tidings all year round…

GUANGZHOU: KA-FAMILYA, KA-PUSO, KA-PASKO
ALEX & MARLA CHUA, Consul and family

To say Filipinos are family-oriented is an understatement. And for Alex Garcia Chua and his wife Marla Catan Chua, family always comes first. Alex is a diplomat and lawyer currently assigned at the Philippine Consulate General Guangzhou, China as Consul. Marla is a professor at the Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, formerly a CCP dance scholar and company member of the Manila Metropolitan Ballet under Antonio Fabella and Eddie Elejar. Marla sums up the importance of family: “Success may be relative.

We are not rich financially, but I guess my family is just blessed that we are all together and able to celebrate Christmas happily wherever we are posted. We have done this for 20 years.”

China has been home for Alex, Marla and their two children, 18-year old Angeli Marie and 10-year old Abraham Almar for the past 10 years. Alex was first posted to Beijing for six years, prior to his current posting in Guangzhou in 2003. Before that the family spent eight years in Hong Kong.

“We have spent Christmas in Guangzhou since 2003,” explains Marla, “as my husband is usually on duty during the Christmas period. This will be our fourth year here.”

No matter where they are, the Chua family continues their Filipino Christmas traditions. Marla talks through their traditions: “As early as October we usually set up our Christmas tree and decorations and start playing Christmas songs. Guangzhou does not have the simbang gabi (a form of midnight mass, but observed before the break of dawn) that we normally observe in the Philippines. There is only one Catholic Church

Despite the small Catholic population, the Filipinos in Guangzhou are not lacking in holiday cheer. Various Filipino groups organize Christmas parties in the second week of December.

“These occasions provide us with the opportunity to listen to Filipino bands playing Christmas songs”, says Marla. “We participate in fun games, eat sumptuous authentic Filipino dishes and celebrate being Pinoy. Filipinos are gifted in music and dance so we always look forward to this Christmas party. We even have a Christmas lantern or parol contest, and you will be amazed at how some seriously some people take this contest. About 300 or 350 Filipinos attend this gathering. Other nationalities also participate in this most anticipated affair.”

While Alex and Marla sometimes miss puto bumbong (a purple rice dish with coconut) and bibingka (a rice cake similar to a pancake), the noise of carolers, and the traditional simbang gabi, they improvise by eating Chinese cake or puto, listening to Filipino songs, and praying the rosary. Marla sympathizes with other Filipinos, “I feel sad when I see our kababayans (Filipinos abroad) not being with their loved ones during this period.”

Fortunate to be with their family, Alex and Marla share their generous spirit with others.  
Marla explains: “What makes Christmas so special for us in Guangzhou, as in other places before, is it gives us the rare opportunity to really experience the true meaning, to celebrate Christmas by spending it with people you hardly know, to provide others the love and friendship they need, and to gain more friends who become our extended family members in the process.”

Being family to other kababayans has been a Christmas tradition for Alex and Marla, in their various postings. “In Hong Kong,” Marla explains, “our home was open to all domestic helpers who wished to spend Christmas with us. My husband and I would attend all the Christmas gatherings they would organize.  
The same thing happens in Beijing: our home was open to Filipinos who wished to spend Christmas with us, from all walks of life. Even for that spare moment, we are family to them.”

HONGKONG: I’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
MICHAEL VINCENT, program director of Metro Plus AM1044 and radio personality

There is something disarming about talking to Michael Vincent. Maybe it is the soothing cool tone of his voice, or the warmth of his personality? For the past 19 years, his has become a familiar voice for Filipinos in Hong Kong. His radio show Philippines Tonight is heard three nights a week on Metro Plus AM1044. The format of the show varies with news on Thursday night, original Filipino music on Friday night and live interviews on Saturday night. Radio listeners in the Philippines will be familiar with Vincent’s voice. In the past, he was a DJ on 89.9 DWTM from 1988-1989, undertook a 10-year stint on ABS CBN Radio’s Mellow Touch and his voice is heard on Star World.

Vincent has become a real friend to his Filipino listeners. In Hong Kong alone there are 120,000 domestic helpers, and moving to the new city is a huge transition for many of them. Adjusting to the unfamiliar without the support of family makes them long for a familiar friend, and Michael Vincent helps them feel right at home. Radio listeners can call him on his mobile phone anytime they are in need and it is this helping component that makes him so committed to his job.

Vincent has made Hong Kong his home, as well as his place of work. Since arriving in the city, he has been back to the Philippines for Christmas just once. Along with his Malaysian wife, Dawn and their nine-year-old son Zach, the family enjoys Christmas in this cosmopolitan city. Every year they watch the spectacular lights over the harbor, and the city’s skyscrapers vie to present the most sparkling decorations in lights down their side, including Santa Claus on his sleigh, snowmen and presents. There’s also the Winterfest extravaganza in Central, which turns into a winter wonderland complete with giant Christmas tree and Santa’s Grotto. During this time of year, the air is bit cooler and it grows dark earlier, making it more like the Christmas in our storybooks. Michael also suggests that visitors experience the Harbor Cruise to fully appreciate the light display.

New Year’s Eve is also heralded by a magnificent firework display that lights up the Hong Kong skies, the best place to experience it is from a boat on Victoria Harbor.

With his family scattered all over the world, Michael Vincent misses spending the holidays with his whole family in the Philippines, but tries to recreate his Pinoy Christmas in Hong Kong. Like many Filipinos, he attends mass either on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. He exchanges gifts with friends, although there is no traditional Kris Kringle (Santa Claus) in his office, as he is the only Filipino member of staff. When time permits, he tries to recreate the Christmas of his childhood by cooking embotido (a stuffed pork dish) and other Filipino dishes that he used to he eat. He’ll also be buying a parol (a Christmas lantern) to add an extra festive touch to their apartment.

Many overseas Filipino workers find that the Christmas holidays is a time to get homesick, but as early as September Michael Vincent starts playing the traditional Filipino Christmas song Ang Pasko ay Sumapit (“Christmas is here”) to cheer everyone up. More importantly, through his radio show and sincere friendship, he recreates the warmth and camaraderie of home for many Filipinos all year round and his program provides them with the platform to talk to fellow Filipinos in Tagalog. Giving so much of himself to his countrymen is in essence the true meaning of Christmas.

ERAS’S PICKS FOR A PINOY PASKO IN BANGKOK:

Shop for friends, relatives, clients, and inaanaks. Go shopping in Chatuchak Weekend Market for unique and cheap gifts, and Christmas decorations.

Visit Central World for a BBQ. Every December, all kinds of beer counters are set up in front of the mall with lots of grilled food, similar to the Filipino Inihaw favorites.

Walk along Ploenchit Road along Grand Hyatt and drive around the Grand Palace, as these places are decorated with Christmas lights.

RICO’S PICKS FOR A TRULY PINOY PASKO IN SINGAPORE:

Stroll along Orchard and Scotts Roads to enjoy the Christmas decorations and lights. They’re bigger and brighter than Ayala Avenue.

Misa de Gallo at a different Catholic churches for nine consecutive nights

Go shopping at Lucky Plaza, Takashimaya, Tangs, OG, John Little on Orchard Road, and Isetan on Scotts Road.

Have a salo-salo at the Filipino restaurants in Lucky Plaza including Jologs, Barrio Fiesta, and Kabayan.

For fine Filipino food, head to 7,107 Flavours at Marina Square.

THE CHUA FAMILY’S PICKS FOR A PINOY PASKO IN GUANGZHOU:

Visit the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, one of the most beautiful and oldest churches in China. Its glass paintings were made through the assistance of a Filipino company and workers. After seeing these stained glass paintings, you will be proud of being a Filipino!

Go bargain shopping for presents at Liwan Plaza for assorted goods like clothes and shoes; Beijing Road for more clothing apparel, Bai Ma Leather Goods Building; and Haiyin Computer Center, Yida Road, which is like Divisoria to us. This is near the Sacred Heart Church.

While there are no Filipino restaurants here, do have a fiesta sampling different cuisines.

MICHAEL VINCENT’S PICKS FOR A PINOY PASKO IN HONG KONG:

Take a Harbor Cruise to enjoy the lights on Tsim Tsa Tsui East and the cool December evenings.

Check out the Winterfest in Central.

Visit a Catholic Church, such as St Joseph’s in Central.