Christmas is Still Merry even without a Party

Grupo Oeonungan is the political organization that has been ruling the Municipality of Balete since 1998. It has consistently won every political battle from its inception up to the present.  It is composed of all the incumbent municipal officials, all the punong barangays, SK Chairpersons and 98% of all elected barangay kagawads in the entire constituency of the municipality.

On Sunday, December 16, 2012, the group is supposed to having its Christmas party together with its supporters and allies. It had planned out all the details about the event as early as November in anticipation of a heavy turnout. In an emergency meeting, the Mayor informed the rest that the core group has suggested and agreed to forego with the party and instead donate its budget to the victims of Typhoon Pablo through the Sagip Kapamilya of the ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc.  

This notable gesture on the part of the group attracted the attention of the municipal employees who have been preparing for their customary Year-end Activity and Christmas Party scheduled on the 21st of December. A meeting was readily organized. Someone in the crowd commented that the joy brought about by a Christmas party will never be complete if it is not shared with those who are robbed of hope following the wreckage caused by Typhoon Pablo. It turned out that everyone was of the same sentiment: to let go of such party so as to be true to the Spirit of Christmas; to share and reach out to the least and to those who suffer.

 So a consensus was reached: the contributions intended for the 2012 Christmas Party will now be donated to the victims of the super typhoon. This time, with the humor still intact, an employee suggested that the donation will be coursed through the GMA Kapuso Foundation. "Para Kapamilya na, Kapuso pa ro Balete", he added. "But how about being Kapatid?", a lady quipped from the crowd. The suggester replied, "Kon may calamidad eon man don." to which the crowd chorused  "Ayaw man!" 


While the meeting adjourned and the attendees scurried back to their place, the public address operator was humming to himself the tune, Obladi Oblada. Yes, Mar, you are right. Indeed, life goes on, no matter what. As for us in Balete, our Christmas will remain merry even without that party. There are still those nights of Paskwa sa Banwa to attend to where we have to reach out to the least amongst us here in our town. For it will be Pharisaical to show compassion to those in far-off place as the lens are focused on them while ignoring those poor brethren of us right here in our midst. They too have to experience the true essence of Christmas and such happens not in a party. 


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