You mantra for the week:
“The child in me is celebrating Christmas with great joy.”
In a few days it would be Christmas and I believe that the occasion is really for children and the child within us.
I remember as a kid I would write to Santa Claus my wish list and could hardly wait for him to arrive at midnight of the 24th. My mother, however, would tell us to go to sleep early or else Santa would not come to bring us our gifts.
We obeyed, of course, and in the morning we would excitedly find, underneath the tree, everything we asked for in our dear Santa letter.
Christmas Day was always magical. But after finding out who Santa really was, I secretly cried, deeply saddened that the mystique of Christmas was gone forever. Suddenly, I had to say goodbye to childhood.
Like an epiphany
But I found Santa again, after 20 years of searching—from one philosophy to another, from one religion to the next. It was like an epiphany.
I realized that the real Santa was within me, which is the God within each human.
Many people have difficulty accepting this idea, because of the concept of heaven being up in the clouds and that God is up there, too. Notice that people, when thanking God, look up to the sky as if God were far, far away.
This is unfortunate because God is so near; and one can still write and hold a conversation with “Saint Nicholas” within and decree for one’s desires. And when they are fulfilled, like they usually are, when done with heart, it is Christmas morning once more.
From my book, “A Miracle Awaits You,” let me remind you that in this season, we celebrate the Christ in everyone. For the Christ in everyone is that phase of your Beingness that is made in the image and likeness of God.
In this season, we also celebrate the teachings of one man, Jesus of Nazareth, who found the Christ within himself and taught the whole world that the Christ is in each one; that God is everywhere; that there is only good in the universe; that God is love.
In the words of a 7-year-old boy, “Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas when you stop opening presents and listen.”
For love itself
On Aug. 28, Louie and Triccie Sison celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with strictly family members in Bali, Indonesia. Last Monday, Triccie walked down the nave for the first time to renew her marriage vows.
Yes, you read right, she walked down the nave because that is what the center aisle is properly called. You may be wondering why Triccie was doing this for the first time. Well, it is because my father, who is from Pangasinan, would never finance a big wedding and, therefore, it was again just family.
So Louie made sure she would walk down the nave at the Santuario de San Antonio in Makati with 200 guests in attendance.
After 50 years, Triccie did look like the radiant bride that was the envy of many. It only showed how much she has been loved.
I stood as one of the principal sponsors for the first time in my life, because every time I was asked prior to this occasion, my excuse was: I am too young to be a principal sponsor in a wedding and, besides, I do not believe in marriage (I say this because I am the only one who can live with myself).
I still feel the same way but I could not refuse Louie’s and Triccie’s request. I did it for love of them and for Love itself—for this is what they have achieved in their union of gold. I could never have done this in a million years. Yes, reincarnation included.
Among the other principal sponsors were Sen. Jun Magsaysay, Dominador Cepeda Jr., Ambassador Isabel Wilson, the ever stylish Mercy Tuason, and the statuesque and lovely Lorna Laurel, who was one of my mother’s best friends.
Disparity
The church was filled with elegant ladies in their long gowns and their escorts in dark suits. I felt a bit strange to be in church after so many decades. It brought back memories of how I used to go to Mass and communion for seven years just to fulfill all required religious obligations to assure myself of going to heaven.
Little did I know that the “Kingdom of Heaven” is at hand and that everyone goes back to his/her Maker after moving on to greater glory.
The church was beautiful like many of the Roman Catholic churches that I remembered them to be, such as St. Peter’s Basilica which was awesome in its opulence. That was the time I had conclusive proof on the disparity between the richness of the church and the poverty of most of its followers.
How could such a discrepancy be allowed? Why can’t the devotees be as wealthy as the church where they worship? And, thus, began my departure from organized religion.
What I am teaching today is what Jesus has said, “I have come so you may live a life more abundant.” I sincerely feel that Pope Francis and I will be on the same page.
A reception followed at the Manila Polo Club. Guests included former President Fidel V. Ramos, who came directly next door, from the launch of the book “Primus Inter Pares” for the centennial celebration of former Chief Justice Fred Ruiz Castro; Ramon Jacinto and wife Frannie Aguinaldo-Jacinto, who still looks like the model that she was; Ambassador Lani Bernardo and the ageless Conchitina Sevilla-Bernardo; former CCP and Cinemalaya head Nes Jardin; Irma Potenciano, the only Filipino to record with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and a noted voice professor, who herself was a pupil of Luciano Pavarotti; the beauteous DJ Lopez; Rustan’s Nedy Tantoco looking well-rested and refreshed together with Patrick Jacinto; Lynn Ilusorio Bildner who was visiting from New York; Boy Saycon who brought a sampling of black paella and a delicious leg of ham from his restaurant Pastor; Tingting Cojuangco in a smashing black gown with red floral appliques; the elegant Ching (I am forever working) Montinola; Nene Quimson, who did not know that Louie was my brother and was very surprised how I still remember the dinner where Morticia of the Addams family was our subject matter; FEU chair emeritus Lourdes Montinola; Xavier and Mert Loinaz (such a pleasure to see her after so many years); Tong and Daisy Payumo (a first cousin); Susing and Maritess Pineda; Raul and Menchu Concepcion; Joe Concepcion (my classmate at Camp Crame during martial law) and his charming wife Victoria.
Highlight
Amongst the younger set were brother and sister Joe and Bledes Fores (wearing an original Chanel of her mother Baby); Mandy Boy Eduque, who I remember being carried as a little boy by his grandmother Elvira Manahan; billionaire Eric Puno; Fisher Mall’s Bobby del Rosario with his glamorous wife Moleen, who generously provided a band for the reception; and the charming couple Raul and Joanna Preysler-Francisco.
Louie and Triccie’s children Trisha, Camille, Luigi and Monique, were supposed to be emceeing but, as it turned out, their own children Patxi, Marianna, Ditto, Mikey and Paui did so with gusto, even joining the band to sing for their grandparents.
But as far as singing is concerned, no one does it like soprano Rachelle Gerodias, who did a duet with her husband, baritone Byeong-in Park, who looks like an Oriental version of Patrick Swayze.
Rachelle is pregnant and I’m sure the child will be singing as it makes its way to a wider world. Part of the musical numbers that evening were songs by 24-year old tenor Dresden Ramos, who is on his way to a scholarship in Spain.
The highlight of the affair was Louie serenading his bride with “The Story of My Life”; the phrase that lingered in the air for the rest of the evening was, “The story of my life is very plain to read / It starts the day you came and ends the day you leave / The story of my life begins and ends with you…”
A love-filled Christmas to all!