Mano Po (Tagged by Jenny)

I'm amused by Jenny's story about Belle learning how to do the "Bless You" or "Mano Po". It's because Zoe has been practicing this "trick" too. We would joke that Zoe will now start to earn this Christmas since doing the "mano po" is also like asking for aguinaldo from her godparents and other relatives.

Jenny's question is: What's your Christmas Day schedule?

We usually attend the Misa de Gallo (that's on Christmas eve) in our village chapel. After the mass, we play Christmas songs in our stereo as well wait for the clock to strike 12 midnight. At 12, we have the traditional Noche Buena. In that family dinner, the head of the family (my dad) leads the prayer and the blessing before meals. We usually thank God for the blessings for the year and ask Him to take care of our other family members who are away (my sister who is in Iloilo and my relatives abroad). We also mention the names of our departed loved ones so that they may see Jesus in Heaven. Then we sing Happy Birthday!

For the past 2 years, our Noche Buena prayer has turned emotional since it's been 2 years since my dear mom passed away. We end up crying at the start of the meal pa lang. It has been my mom who is fore-runner of the Noche Buena dinner. She cooks and prepares almost everything. I just assist occasionally or help out in doing the dishes after. She's the "ilaw ng tahanan" so when she passed away, it seemed that our home had lost that light, that cheer. Parang ayaw na naming mag-Pasko. Good thing, God blessed us with Zoe, whose real name is taken after my mom. Though my mom can never be replaced by anybody, at least having Zoe around brings added happiness to all the members of the family. Just seeing her smile and laugh each day brings joy to us, most especially to my dad.

After being filled with the usual hamon, sotanghon, buko salad and other good stuff, all sleep until late in the morning. When I was young, we would hang stockings in our window and wake up finding gifts from Santa in our stockings. Since Zoe is still too young to know about Santa, wala munang ganon. We just open gifts on Christmas morning. We also prepare packed goodies, fruits and some coins for the kids from the nearby creek area who knock on our doors every year. Sometimes, we make them come in and eat spaghetti or something. At lunch time, our cousins arrive for our annual family reunion, potluck style. We spend the whole day eating, drinking and chatting with our relatives . Last year, we spent the whole afternoon singing using the MagicSing. :-) All my cousins love to sing!

At night time, it's bye-bye time until we see each other again on New Year's Day. :-)

Thanks Jenny for this tag!