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BY ANGELICA LOUISE PFLEIDER
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CHRISTMAS is just around the corner. It’s next Sunday actually but honestly, as much as I want to, I don’t feel any Christmas spirit.
I don’t seem to be alone though. Sure, public places are still going all out with their decorations but I noticed that households don’t seem so eager to join in the fray.
The previous years were much more colorful and full of activities. Now, people seem to have a “let’s just get this over with” attitude about Christmas.
That’s because the Grinch is taking over us. He started a little early this year giving us problems like war, drugs, killings, and price increases to destroy our Christmas mood. He is making us see Christmas as a consumerist show rather than a time for family and friends to get together. Parols, Belens, Christmas vacations, simbang gabi…they are taking a back seat and being shunned.
Now he is even prepping us for next year; with the incoming taxes on sugar-sweetened drinks and gasoline, how CAN we celebrate when we have the looming cloud over our head?
Sure this may be for general health and for the environment but this is not something you can just throw at people like a sled full of coal. Majority of those who will be affected by this tax are the poor.
What about the poor tiangge owner who will have to sell a packet of juice at P25? Who will buy from her? How will she get capital? The jeepney driver who will need to have a basic fare of P10? He’s going to lose passengers for sure.
Also the minimum wage employee who may not have any more income tax, but takes three rides to go to work and needs coffee to work well? How will they be able to cope with the rising expenses?
So it’s no surprise people are not so thrilled about the days to come. The Grinch has won this round, Christmas has already lost its novelty.
Let’s just hope next year will be a little more merry. (angelica.panaynews@gmail.com)/PN
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