Backpacking Philippines: Christmas is Not about Gifts and Money

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Flight chronicles of the backpacker Tutubi, with travelogues, pictures/photos/videos, travel guides, independent and honest reviews, affordable, recommended resorts and hotels (including inns, guesthouses, pension houses, lodges, hostels, condotels, bed and breakfast and other cheap accommodations), commuting guides, routes (sometimes street maps and GPS coordinates/waypoints) and driving directions to answer "how to get there" questions, information and tips on tourism, budget travel and living in Philippines, Exotic Asia and beyond!

Backpacking, independent travel, and flashpacking are cheaper than the "cheapest package tours" and promotional offers around but you can also use travel information for family vacations, even romantic honeymoon destinations.

More than the usual tourist spots and "places to see," this blog advocates heritage conservation, environmental protection, and history awareness for Filipinos, foreigners, and ex-pats wishing to explore Paradise Philippines and Exotic Asia!

Christmas is Not about Gifts and Money

The longest celebration of Christmas in the world is in the Philippines (one of two predominantly Christian nations in Asia...and you still think the Philippines is the only one?), some celebrate it once the "ber" month of September begins, some join right after Halloween is over. It will end on the Day of the Three Kings (or Magi), called Epiphany.

The month of December is the time of sales promotions with shopping malls announcing sale, promos and bargains, making road traffic unbearable. Many people, who seem to not run out of cash, go on a shopping spree. ATMs start going offline and dispense only either P500 or P1000 bills while some go to their banks to exchange crisp bills fresh from the money-making machines of the BSP.

How does Tutubi celebrate Christmas? He's used to simple celebration, stay at home, no feasts and lavish spending, no materialism and commercialized Christmas celebration. Most of his Christmas bonus went straight to his savings account after shaving off mortgages for his future home, slowly but surely preparing for his planned early retirement in the Philippines which is an uncommon habit for Filipinos who'd start the new year broke due to overspending during the holiday season.

Two bundles of crisp twenty peso bills for Christmas giveaways to children. This used to be hundred pesos, then fifty pesos, and now, due to the crisis and hard times made more difficult with multiplying nephews, nieces and godchildren, now just twenties or veinte pesos.

Tutubi's a "gifted child" annually during his company's Christmas party with his officemates giving him gifts. It's great even if he has yet to win any major raffle prizes at Chrismas parties

Christmas is not about gifts and money, it's meant for spreading message of love, peace and hope even if you're "pesoless."

Merry Christmas and a Hopefully No Recession New Year!

Related Post:
Christmas in the Philippines

Labels: Philippine Holidays

posted by GingGoy @ 12:01 PM,

17 Comments:

At Dec 24, 2008, 6:20:00 PM, Nina said...: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I am also cutting my spendings...it helps that I am in a country where Christmas is not celebrated. Christmas here is just an ordinary working day. No festive mood. malungkot pero okay na rin, I am with my hubby naman :)
At Dec 24, 2008, 10:44:00 PM, Unknown said...: Merry Christmas Tutubi! I agree on the No Recession New Year. Enjoy the holidays :)
At Dec 25, 2008, 12:32:00 AM, Oman said...: Merry Christmas Bro to you and your family.
At Dec 25, 2008, 1:26:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Merry Christmas Tutubi :)
At Dec 25, 2008, 6:11:00 AM, Photo Cache said...: Merry Christmas to you and yours. I prefer the simple way of celebrating Christmas too.

My christmas traditions are here: http://ewok1993.wordpress.com
At Dec 25, 2008, 7:19:00 PM, pieterbie said...: I agree with you, Christmas should not be material.
We try to keep gifts modest here, but try our best to look for something the receiver really wants.
You are a wise man!
Merry Christmas!
At Dec 26, 2008, 9:59:00 PM, Admin said...: Merry Christmas!

Tipid tipid din po ako... :) Hehe :) Buti na lang 2 pa lang ang inaanak ko!
At Dec 26, 2008, 11:34:00 PM, Anonymous said...: It's the spirit of the season that matters most. Merry Christmas ! Hope you had a wonderful celebration with your family :)
At Dec 27, 2008, 3:41:00 AM, Rochelle said...: You are so right. Christmas is not about things... but about people and finding ways to show them our love... and it doesn't have to be wrapped in a pretty box with a big bow!! Great post! Merry Christmas!!
At Dec 27, 2008, 4:59:00 AM, x said...: hi, tutubi! i hope you enjoyed your christmas. :D

gotta love the crispy money. and, wow, you got so many gifts!
At Dec 27, 2008, 1:17:00 PM, Jasper said...: merry christmas!! hope you're having a good time as well! :)
At Dec 28, 2008, 10:21:00 AM, Kyels said...: You're right; Christmas isn't about gifts and money.

(:
At Dec 29, 2008, 3:02:00 PM, Anonymous said...: indeed

belated Merry Christmas!

Dine
At Dec 29, 2008, 6:47:00 PM, Anna said...: Wow, this is really a comprehensive blog. Pretty useful too!

Cheers
Anna
At Dec 30, 2008, 2:21:00 AM, carlotta1924 said...: merry christmas and a happy new year tutubi!

more travelling for you this 2009 as well! =)
At Jan 1, 2009, 9:05:00 AM, Anonymous said...: happy new year from Florence!!!
At Jan 1, 2009, 4:32:00 PM, tin-tin said...: so nanalo ka ba sa company raffle?

happy new year! :)

Christmas is Not about Gifts and Money

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