Namamasko Po

I grew up witnessing my dad's all-year round coin-saving effort to prepare for Christmas. In our place, we're used to children (even oldies) knocking on our gate asking for some 'pamasko'. Most of these kids are from the neighborhood (some we don't personally know actually) while there are those who are really 'dayo' (minsan bata-batalyon at kasama ang pamilya).

It has become part of our tradition in the country. It's not just the godchildren visiting the godparents or the godparents giving out gifts to godchildren. Anyone can ask for a 'pamasko' since its Christmas.

While Christmas is a season for loving and giving, I think these kids who go house-to-house on Christmas should learn the real value behind the celebration. It's not something they should capitalize on as one-time-big-time venture to get money. It's even quite alarming that some of them would even cheat on you. They'd pretend that they haven't passed by your house and you haven't given them anything.

Kaya nga ang biro ko sa mga bata, "Kapag nakakakuha na kayo at niloloko niyo lang ako, itong limang piso na ibibigay ko mag-aapoy sa kamay mo." (Of course it won't and they know it wont. Just trying to send the 'message' to them in a trying to be funny way)

It's nice to see these children smiling whenever they receive the little amount or anything from us (pero merong hindi man lang natutuwa ah).

But then again, we (us who give something to these kids) could probably create some other ways of making them appreciate the season beyond the money-making activity. I don't know how and what (for now). But that's something we should be thinking about.
* Photo from www.slco.lib.ut.us