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political or economic theories that may or may not bring about solutions to our problems, but we do have a sense of knowing deep down that something is wrong based on our own personal hardships. Our bills keep mounting but we are making do with much less; our time away from home to take on multiple odd jobs means less time to spend with our spouse; our blessings of a house and fulfillment of the American dream rich with opportunities are a shrinking reality for our children. Given the conditions of our time, we are all too aware how simple it is to lose hope. But what keeps us moving forward is something that no economic adversity can take away -- our love for and bond with our family. This is the one thing that we can be certain of and rely upon through all the days of the year. Our family is our inspiration for living the best we can.
During the holiday season, we give thanks to our God and creator for all our blessings; and we celebrate our relationships with our family and loved ones.
As Filipino Catholics, we remember midnight Christmas masses holding on to our mother's hand as a young child while listening to the Christmas liturgy of the Holy Mother giving birth to our Savior Jesus. Her hand felt warm and strong. We felt protected. Years later as adults, we remember our mother beside us once again listening to the same liturgy; her hands now softer and wrinkled. We now feel like her protector. Our hands strong and warm. Then as older adults and our mother already passed on, we still keep imprinted in our hearts and minds her memory, and reach out to an invisible hand, saddened, but taking comfort in the belief that she is now joined in the presence of the main characters in that same liturgy we've heard every year during Christmas mass.
We also remember as Filipinos the tradition of fiesta during the holidays. All our uncles, aunties and cousins coming together to welcome in the New Year. As children all that mattered was having as much fun as possible before it was time to go home, jumping from one game to another, playing with those favorite cousins and not-so favorite, other cousin. Our fathers worked tirelessly on that spinning, impaled lechon over a spit of fire. It slowly roasting for hours.
The lechon was the main course at any Filipino dinner, but the roasting actually meant more than a delicious meal: it was a perfect setting for grown men who immigrated from the Philippines to talk about their new life in America, adjusting to the new, often times strange, local culture while contrasting it to the good old days of the motherland, all the struggles and triumphs of past and present. It was a kind of macho therapy of sorts enhanced by Primo beer, the crackling noise of fat dripping on white charcoal, orange fire, and incessant calls in the background from the mothers asking: "Is the pig crispy yet?" The preparation and roasting of lechon would start in the wee hours of the morning until sunset, not dusk to dawn as some American parties would take place, but the reverse of that, from dawn to dusk. The entire process required much more time; and unfortunately as busy, second-third generation Filipinos, it is a culinary practice quickly fading.
But just as the memories of our departed can easily be recalled especially during the holidays, when Filipinos see perfectly crispy lechon skin, we can almost visualize in HD our parents, grandparents, uncles, aunties and cousins many years ago taking delight in with full smiles, and collectively raving over the finished masterpiece of lechon prepared in the old style of open fire by our very proud fathers.
Time goes by so quickly. Check that, life zips by. But the memories do last.
During this holiday season, let us really take pleasure in our own equally special traditions we share as a family and put our nagging troubles, financial woes and political discontentment aside. The holiday season should be a retreat from the seemingly towering obstacles we face the rest of the year. Again, if peace of mind could be a vacation destination, there's no better time to take a trip there during Christmas and the New Year's festivities. Let's return to our truer, simpler nature -- one of happiness and communion with God, family and loved ones. It is in this blessed state of being that we are able to build memories that last a lifetime.
From the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle staff, we wish all our readers, supporters and their families a very happy holiday season.
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