Christmas Aftermath

After all the parties that I attended, all the food that I ate and all the gifts I received... This realization struck me the most in this year's Christmas.

The day before Christmas Eve we were listening to DZAS (a Christian radio station here in the Philippines) and they had a special programming in which they are raising funds for the victims of typhoon Sendong (Washi) that hit the northern part of Mindanao days before Christmas. The reports and scenes from the typhoon-hit cities of Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Dumaguete are really heart breaking. Many families lost their homes, properties and even lives of their loved ones--from babies to grandparents. There was a flash flood in the deep of the night that is believed an effect of illegal logging in the said areas.

Many were asking, "Where is Christmas in this?" or "How can they celebrate Christmas?" Sadly, many people believe that to have a Merry Christmas, you have to have a sumptuous meal, gifts to give and gifts to receive, be at the parties and go shopping. I'm not against these but may these things not hinder us to know the REAL meaning of Christmas.

Image from newlifeccc.org.au

Amidst the disaster that hit the Philippines this season, I was really reminded of the real picture or meaning of Christmas.

While listening to the radio, I got so overwhelmed by what I'm hearing that I started to cry. Not mainly because I pity those people who was hit by the tragedy but I can say it can add to that. But really, the reason is I can see the love of God manifested.

It's concrete. It's tangible.

Reporters say that people are giving in-kind donations to their offices, riding on jeepneys or tricycles. On television, many people are taking their part in helping people. Many are praying, many are giving their pledges, many are volunteering.

I know this "Christmas-inspired" post is kinda late but I believe that the love of God is never outdated and never seasonal.

It's classic, it's timeless and it's priceless.

Image from media.photobucket.com

I saw the real meaning of this season during this time of disaster in Mindanao. People are helping the helpless, leaving their comfort zones to volunteer, sharing what they have to people who can't pay them back, praying to people that they don't know and giving love and showing compassion.

It was like humanity before Christ was born; we were helpless, we were destroyed, we were hopeless... and thank God He gave His Son! Now as the song says, "the weary world rejoices"! Jesus left His comfort zone for us, He is generous to us who can't really pay Him back, He prayed and even died for people who doesn't know Him and gave love to us who are so undeserving. When I realized that this is what's happening to evacuation centers, I can't help but be overwhelmed and say that, "That is Christmas!"

Be part of this love movement and give! 

You can give through...
World Vision

Image from World Vision Philippines

Operation Blessings

Image from Operation Blessings Philippines

FEBC (702 DZAS)

Image from FEBC

With this, a verse came to my mind. I think this was the first ever Bible verse that I memorized! :)

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." -John 3:16 (NIV)

  

So you don't want to be hungry?

Image from www.chocolateguru.net

I'm a fan of eating. I always eat everytime I feel like doing so. Whenever I leave our house I always make it to point to have with me some food. Sadly, this is a privilege for me that sometimes I overlook.

Every 7 seconds, 1 child dies because of hunger... So every minute, roughly 8 children die because they have nothing to eat. You may now chomping a bar of chocolate or digging a pack of chips while millions of kids out there are struggling and dying because of hunger. Statistics say that millions are suffering in starvation just here in the Philippines.

It's really a herculean task to fight against hunger, but this does not mean that we will not take any actions for it to stop.

Last year, I had a privilege to volunteer for the first 12-hour Famine of World Vision Philippines. It was really a memorable event for me because it's the first time that I abstained from food for such cause. ;)

The 12-hour Famine is a youth movement against hunger wherein young people gather to raise funds to help hungry children and their families. They will not eat any solid food for 12 straight hours to experience hunger first hand. On the same day, we also had fun games and activities and featured talented acts. World Vision celebrities supporters were also present in the event. (Honestly, I think this is the only event so far that I took part wherein I saw a lot of celebrities. ;P) These are some of the highlights from the last year's Famine event. (Photos are from World Vision's 12 Hour Famine Facebook)

Ms. Lea Salonga! (I was star struck when she passed in front of me at the backstage! ;P)

Ruffa Gutierrez and her lovely daughters! ;)

Host DJ/Ptr. Jordan Escusa and beauty queen Ms. Miriam Quiambao :)

Dingdong Dantes

Tippy dos Santos, Nikki Gil and Sam Concepcion! (They are really gifted with those voices!)

This year, the Famine event is back again! But unfortunately this time I will not be there (sad.. :( ). But I'm still going to promote this event because I believe some of you can come! Registration is until today, November 18, 2011 and the event will be tomorrow, 8am-8pm at the Ynarez Sports Arena, Pasig.

For more information about the registration and FAQ, please visit the 12-hour Famine's official site:

We are not alone in this! The Famine movement is all over the globe! There are 40-hour Famine Australia and New Zealand, 30-hour Famine Canada, US, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, Thailand and Taiwan and 24-hour Famine United Kingdom!

Being young is great. So add more greatness to it by participating in something relevant and by being part of something bigger than your life. You know, we are not here to live just for ourselves. In Deuteronomy 15:11 God says,

There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.

And this verse drives me to help the poor in Matthew 25:40

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Let's say no to hunger!