Give WHAT on Christmas Day?

"I stopped believing in Santa Claus when my mother took me to see him in a department store, and he asked for my autograph.”

Funny, isn’t it? This is my friend Bernard’s shoutout on Friendster today. Yeah, funny… but, somehow, true. Santa Claus DOES NOT exist.

When we were kids, were “forced” to believe that Santa Claus does exist. That he will come down the chimney to slide down his presents to us. But when we became older, we will realize that all of that stuff is just plain fiction. But still, we do this stereotyping to our kids. And the cycle goes on and on and repeated all over again until God knows when.

But when we ask ourselves: Did Santa really exist? Where did all of this come from? What is the real essence of this Santa person in our lives? Is it still present today?

As research would prove it, this concept of Santa came from the story of Saint Nicholas, a wealthy bishop of Myra, Turkey – dressed with red and white bishop’s robe riding a donkey. He became well-known because of his endless handing over of gifts to children and of him supporting the needy. This is how the concept of Santa came about – from that sleek fashion wear we visualize Santa would wear, to the concept of reindeers and naughty-nice list – Santa became a popular hit from time to time every Christmas.

We consider him as the Father Christmas. And we have made this concept as part of our tradition and our Christianity today. Some countries would call it, Secret Santa, Chris Kindle, or Amigo Secreto – or in our country, we simply call it as exchanging gifts. We do this on or before the Christmas Day, whether it’s at school and our workplace or elsewhere, people are bound to be giving on Christmas Season. People in some cities in the US recently have been receiving $100 bills from wealthy Secret Santas.

Yes, anyone can be a Santa. But it is not necessarily done by giving money or presents to one another. But as the song would sing it: “Give LOVE on Christmas Day” – it’s what really matters most. It does not revolve ONLY around material things and expensive stuffs, but giving your love to every person you meet, it’s a deep feeling anyone would be grateful for. Even the simplest greeting of Merry Christmas! can make someone’s day – it’s the thought that counts right? We tend to make up and be nice on Christmas and it is the most precious thing we could do – to live in the spirit of Santa in our hearts. The Spirit of gift-giving, sharing and forgiveness must rule in our hearts – that is what Christmas is about.

Anyone can be a Santa, even in our own small ways. As what they will always say: “It’s better to give than to receive”. Yes, Christmas is not all about receiving, but giving. To give without expecting something in return; giving as much as we can even an ample of kindness to start things of. Not only on Christmas but the whole year-round, every year. Anyway, we have to be very nice all year, right? Or we’ll surely be on God’s (not Santa’s) naughty list. After all, to give is also to receive – receive something from God, that is. :D

PSC Chair Ramirez promotes peace

ATENEO – “Physical education and sports development is a basic as health care and children”, says Mr. William “Butch” Ramirez, Philippine Sports Commissioner, in a forum last September 12 at F511, 3:40 pm. It was participated by the advertising and journalism class of Ms. Galang, Political Science students and guests.

Mr. Ramirez addresses the audience in a calm manner as he stresses out every bit detail promoting peace in Mindanao. That through sport, we can attain peace, not only in Mindanao but also for ourselves. “Sport is the best school in life. It can help us manage victory and defeat. Most of all, we learn to love others – our opponents and teammates.”

He believes that the ones that are highly affected by it are the innocent children. “… and there is a need for intervention, and it would be best if sports will be the bridge to the gap among Christians and Muslims. Thus, Sport is the vehicle for peace in Mindanao. People interact without knowing one’s religion or race,” he said.

He points out that sport is part of our culture, helps in uniting our country and is pure, since it is a unique human dynamics.

Along with Ramirez, Mr. Daniel Te, DFA Regional Director, was there to share some of his thoughts and ideas in his own field of work. Educating everyone in the room the dos and don’ts in getting passports and most especially to become moral citizens for us not to engage in fraud – faking our passports and other private documents.

The fourth year advertising class of Ms. Gemima Galang organized the said forum which was in connection to the advertising exhibit at the fifth floor, Thibalut Hall last September 10 – 12 entitled Pula, Itim at Ginto. This initialized the colors of “pakikibaka”, and of what has been fighting for by our world today. Among those whom are featured are global warming, faking of passports, violence against women and among others.

History repeats itself?

It is said that Mindanao is one of the richest islands in the country. With natural resources thriving across the island, Mindanao is the most livable place in the country.

But as time goes by, everything turned upside down. Poverty has made our people die in hunger. Worse, war made our homeland scarce from natural resources and all.

And the Mindanaoans? We are the ones who are highly affected by it. The children are exposed to the things that they must not know at a very young age.

Yes, peace summits and dialogues for peace can do but it is not enough.

These children need to be engaged in sports in order for them to be trained at a young age. Sports can make them good leaders in the society and for them to have self-discipline.

The future is in the hands of sports. Let us strive to help our children to be what we want them to be, and not like those people now, making war and not peace. Let us help not make history repeat itself.