How would our Ilonggo OFWs mark the holidays?
WHILE we are lounging in the corners of our room – breathing in our own definition of holiday – our heart wander through places… yearning to fill some empty spaces.
As we look at the silver and scarlet balls dangling from that humble tree, we would probably just pause and think: Are they seeing the bright palette as vivid as we do, or they’re hearing jingles but everything’s still blue?
Hours apart. Our dawn was their midnight. Now, how are they shaking Santa’s socks at night? Oceans apart. But we know we have been waiting for the same peak.
Let us walk through these imaginary parallels that bind us to see what’s their light like, and likewise experience their distinct plots.
Panay News brings you the holidays over the seas, as two of our Ilonggo kababayans mark the yuletide season from quite afar.
CHRISTMAS IN THE SCARRED CITY OF BEIRUT
So who could forget the horrendous August blasts that claimed hundreds of lives in the Lebanese capital of Beirut?
Our dear friend Jenelyn Simeon, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) and a native of New Lucena, Iloilo, shared her run while living in the scarred city for almost five years now.
“As of now wala pa gid man naka-move on ang mga tawo after sang explosion. Still may trauma pa sa natabo,” the 26-year-old Ilongga told Panay News.
“Ang mga buildings diri nga nag kalaguba indi na gid mabalik sa dati. [But] with the help man sang iban nga countries, na-amat-amat na takod ang mga glass nga nagkalawasak,” she added.
But despite the devastation, Jenelyn and Beirut’s residents remain optimistic.
“I must say that 2020 is the worst year of my life. Despite all the happenings, I could still see hope,” she said.
For Jenelyn, people should still look on the brighter side.
“Cherish every moment with the ones we love by means of constant communication. We should train ourselves to be more caring and appreciate what we have,” she said.
“We might be facing a difficult year but let’s not forget that we are also stronger together. Unity, compassion and hope are all we need to move forward,” Jenelyn went on.
As for the coming holidays, Jenelyn shared how it would be a different one compared to what she had back in the Philippines.
“As an OFW, every Christmas, ubra sa gihapon. Unlike pag sa Pinas ka biskan may work, pwede ka gid ka puli sa family [mo] kag mag-celebrate. Diri, daw normal lang gid nga adlaw ang Christmas sa amon,” she said.
It was in 2015 when she spent her last Christmas in her hometown.
“Usually ang Christmas sa Lebanon is more on food lang gid ang mga tawo unlike sa Pinas (Christmas parties and all). And iba gid ang ginatawag nga kalipay pag kumpleto ang pamilya,” Jenelyn shared.
Even last year, Christmas for Jenelyn wasn’t that great.
“Worst man ang Christmas last year diri kay 2019 gid nag-start ang crisis. Less na ang ginahatag nga Christmas bonus (laughs),” she said.
Being away from your family, said the overseas worker, is tough, but she never forgets to send her love and regards to them every day.
And her wish for Christmas? “Tani hatagan pa sang kabaskog ang akon mga ginikanan para mapakita ko pa sa ila tanan kag maka-bawi pa ako sa mga sacrifices nila sa akon halin sang una. And mapalayo lang gid sila sa mga kalamidad nga maga-abot kag mangin safe lang permi.”
“I wish man nga matapos na ang pandemya nga ini para ang mga tawo indi mabudlayan sa pag pangita ubra,” she added.
Jingles of Japan
Our friend Angelyn Toquero also has a story to tell. Originally from Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo, the 27-year-old Angelyn has been wrapped around the winds of Japan for a year and a half now.
How is Angelyn dealing with the current health situation?
“I have Filipino coworkers here so it’s not difficult to adjust. Going outside our workplace, we fear for our health but we just practice health protocols,” she said, adding they always practice safety precautions such as wearing of facemasks and washing of hands frequently.
Meanwhile, Angelyn said she would spend the holidays over foodie goodies and a video call to home.
“Maybe just going to cook for a dinner here in my apartment together with Filipino companions because we still need to go to work,” she shared.
“Also, will have a video chat with mother and father back home, including my sister and brother who are also working overseas. Christmas day will basically be a virtual reunion for our family,” she added.
Not the case two years ago for she had spent Christmas here with her family.
“Sad to say that Christmas is not really a big deal for the Japanese. They always prioritize work more than anything else. I asked one of my nihonjin colleagues here and he told me that they just sleep just like a normal day which is totally different from our nakasanayan back in the Philippines,” Angelyn said.
She also hopes for an end of this pandemic and that everything will go back to normal so that everyone can “move forward and start a new beginning.”
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We may not feel it, like literally, but our two “Lyns” are giving us the warmest hugs this season!
Now remember that wherever, whenever we are and we are always bound by that wonderful string of love./PN
