By Ryan Rikaz Ibrahim
“Nak, bangon na kay Christmas party ninyo ron.”
Hearing those words filled children with so much excitement that they would jump out of bed, their hearts racing with joy and anticipation as one of the most magical days of the year. Back then, Christmas wasn’t just a season; it was a feeling that started as early as September and built up until December, which was bursting with enchantment.
As children, they lived for the small joys that came with the holidays. The decorations, bustling preparations, and joyful energy of students and teachers filled the air with a sense of wonder.
For Joe Amistoso, a medical technology sophomore, the Christmas celebration in his early childhood was unmatched.
“Christmas in Silliman University as a kid always had me feeling excited with the parols being hung around all over campus,” he recalled. “Those brightly colored star-shaped lamps always made me feel so happy as Christmas rolled along.”
School Christmas parties were the highlight of the season. Days before, they would plan their outfits—bright, festive, and a little too fancy for a classroom. Bags, usually filled with books, were replaced with party essentials: spaghetti, gifts wrapped with care, and maybe a container of hotdog and marshmallow skewers for the potluck.
When the school parties were over, children still had the Noche Buena with their families to look forward to. The house buzzed with activity, the air filled with the aroma of ham, baked macaroni, and fruit salad while glowing parols by the windows gave off a warm and cozy feeling. Midnight was the awaited moment, where hugs were exchanged, gifts were opened, and fireworks lit up the sky. It was a time of love and togetherness, and for a child, it was nothing short of alluring.
As they grew older, the spark slowly vanished. What was once an exciting season of decorations and parties now feels subdued. “Christmas back then was always a big deal,” Amistoso observed, “with students and teachers being very busy with their preparations and decorations.” Now, that buzz and anticipation seem to have faded, replaced by simpler and quieter celebrations.
But when familiar songs like Star ng Pasko are heard, the old Christmas spirit rushes back, reminding everyone of the wonder and hope they once felt as kids.
“Ang nagsindi nitong ilaw
Walang iba kundi ikaw
Salamat sa liwanag mo
Muling magkakakulay ang Pasko.”
The lyrics remind people that the light of Christmas has always been there—it’s just waiting to be rekindled. Children found that light in the joy of receiving; as adults, they can rediscover it through thoughtful gestures, genuine connections, and humbly showing up for those they love.
For some, like Carlene Gonzales, a nursing freshman, this rediscovery comes through giving back to the community.
“I’ve joined my church’s outreach activities, bringing gifts and love to those who need it most—people in jail, those in mental health facilities, and others in need of encouragement,” she shared.
Her efforts reflect how the essence of Christmas evolves, becoming less about receiving and more about spreading hope and kindness.
Perhaps Christmas hasn’t changed—it’s just asking them to see it differently. The wonder is still there, in the laughter of a sibling, the smiles of friends, or the glow of a parol.
“Dahil ikaw bro, dahil ikaw…
Ikaw ang star ng Pasko.”
This year, the light of Christmas shines through the moments they create and the magic they choose to believe in again.
