Celebrating Christmas as an OFW for 10 years away from home

Christmas is the longest celebration being observed in the Philippines. When the so called BER months starts, the festivities also starts to kick in. As early as September, we start to hear Christmas songs in the radio, who doesn’t love Jose Marie Chan’s song anyway…

When I was young, once I started to hear the song phrase “Whenever I see girls and boys selling lanterns on the streets I remember the Child” this is my alarm clock that reminds me to start planning things out.

Which house to start the caroling? How many members of the group should we have, how much could we have during the caroling… Those are some of the questions that I have… Simple plans that are very memorable and give joyful feeling during those days.

But there is one thing that made me more excited when the Christmas seasons arrives. Yung pagkakataong kumita ng pera sa panahong ito lalo na sa madaling araw… Noon, matutulog kami sa bakery at maagang aangkat ng Pandesal, isang daang piraso at isisilid sa box bubuhatin at ilalako sa bahay bahay…After mong kumita, pambili ng paputok after mag enjoy sa ingay ng paputok, balik pagtitinda ulit para kumita. Ganun lang na paulit ulit.

So many great memories of Christmas when we were still on our childhood days, things changes as we grow up.

Nakakamiss yung letchon, kakanin, pansit, hamon at yung mga buko salad at fruit salad na sa tuwing pasko lang naming natitikman.

Fast forward, and now I am an OFW for 10 years in Oman and I have experienced celebrating Christmas away from home.

During the first year as an OFW and when the first Christmas came and I have to celebrate it with my flat mates and friends. The usual OFW gatherings foods, kwentuhan and the most overrated activity Videoke!

Since there is four hours difference from the Philippine time, I usually make the call to my family back home earlier so that the network congestion is not yet that much. We usually experience that thing when you call but cannot get through.

So ano nga ba ang feelings na mag celebrate ng Christmas na wala sa Pinas at piling ng mga mahal mo sa buhay?

For me, I usually look on the brighter side and I don’t dwell much from the reality that I am in other place celebrating Christmas. Ask yourself, what is your main purpose bakit ka nasa ibang bansa, maging masaya ka dahil nandito ka para sa mahal mo sa buhay, Christmas day is supposed to be every day! Magmahalan at magbigayan araw araw.

Marami akong nakikitang comment sa Facebook na marami ang nalulungkot tuwing Christmas dahil daw hindi nila kapiling ang kanilang mga mahal sa buhay, dahil daw may work sila during that time, dahil daw wala silang dayoff at kung ano ano pang mga negative reasons. Come on, Christmas brings hope to everyone not loneliness so celebrate!

There are so many ways to celebrate Christmas as an OFW, check out the following post:

• How to have a Very Merry Christmas Abroad as an OFW
• What money saving tips can OFWs follow this Christmas season?
• Christmas 2018 and New Year’s Mass Schedule
• Ghala Church: Christmas 2018 and New Year’s Mass Schedules