Opinions
Thank you for another year
By Emmie Joaquin
It’s mid-December and there’s something about the holiday season that makes each one of us feel differently – there’s a whole gamut of emotions that hits us during this time of the year – ranging from happiness, excitement, gratefulness, nostalgia to angst and even frustration.
This is the time when we become more introspective as we look back at the year that will end soon and the beginning of a new one. As we reflect on the past, we think of what we did with our time, what we accomplished. We also think of what might have been, had we done certain things differently. Mixed with the successes were certain failures, too. There were lessons learned and if we take them with us, we know that we will try not to take that path again. The New Year will bring a beautiful rainbow of hope and anticipation of all that’s good.
This is also the season to think of others. We are aware that not everyone will experience the excitement and happiness of this Christmas season. Mixed with the feeling of gratitude that we are here in Canada experiencing the calmness of a white Christmas is that feeling of frustration and sorrow that we have fellow Filipinos back in the Philippines who will miss their children’s excitement on Christmas morning. For many of the victims in the regions devastated by the recent earthquake and super-typhoon Haiyan, there will simply be no food on their table or even a roof over their heads, and the additional tragedy – no loved ones to kiss on Christmas day.
For us here, giving and receiving gifts make the sense of love and generosity towards others very contagious. The calamities that shattered the Philippines these last few months brought us together to make a difference this holiday season by thinking of others who are less fortunate.
We salute the various organizations and the individuals that have relentlessly campaigned to raise funds and donations for our fellow Filipinos back home. The need will continue for a long time because unlike the richer countries that have had their share of catastrophes, the Philippines will need all the help it can get to put the affected citizens back on their feet. It will take many, many years for the survivors to recover.
It’s the season to be grateful for all the good around us.
We would like to thank you, our readers, our contributors, and our advertisers, for your continuing trust and confidence in the Pilipino Express News Magazine.
And as we approach 2014, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe, peaceful and joyous New Year!
Mula po sa amin dito sa Pilipino Express – Emmie Joaquin, Paul Morrow at Rey-Ar Reyes – Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon sa inyong lahat!