Putting up a Christmas tree brings happiness and joy to the Edaño family. But this year, their tree also symbolizes their hope.

Internist-gastroenterologist Joyce Tupas Edaño and her family have a few traditions for Christmas. The first one is the simbang gabi. This doctor “requires” her children—ages 16, 15 and 9—to attend it virtually.

“I tell them that they spend so much time online; God only asks for one hour of their day,” she said.

They also hold family meetings to discuss the theme of their tree every year. It changes each year but their staple colors are white and gold. They usually put up their Christmas tree in mid-November. Edaño said that they wait for All Soul’s Day and All Saint’s Day to pass before decorating their tree.

“We follow the lucky color of the incoming year in feng shui, even if we are not Chinese,” she said. The children have a say on which of the lucky colors to use for the ornaments. It is something they look forward to as a family and a tradition they work hard to keep.

“Our help left us during the first lockdown last year. I told my husband that I was too tired to decorate. But he requested one thing—that we still put up a Christmas tree, because it gives a different feeling; it uplifts spirits, ” she said.

For the first time, this year they ignored feng shui and went with the color pink. Edaño said that she and husband Dennis wanted to teach their children that a time will come in their lives when they have to make a stand.

Politics and social awareness

Her children were okay with the choice. Politics is something they discuss as a family over dinner. They listen to the news in the background while they eat. “I want them to be socially aware at a young age. It’s a joyous season, of course.

The parol symbolizes the star of Bethlehem. Christmas is about the birth of Jesus,” she said. “But I want to remind my children that we can be joyous and socially aware at the same time.” One might say that it was fate when a friend told them about a group of weavers from Gumaca, Quezon, who were producing a special-edition of parol. It came in pink and green, and in two sizes.

“My husband checked them out and decided that the smaller ones would look good on our tree.

Our children teased us about the statement our tree is making,” she said. Edaño said that using parol as ornaments on their tree was something different, as parol are usually hung outside. The tree’s theme is repeated in the lights of their outdoor plants.

They also hung three pink parol by the entrance of their home. Edaño said their Christmas decor theme was also influenced by her personal experience. Last year, it was difficult even for front-liners like her to get personal protective equipment (PPE).

“Our hospitals provided for us but they were not enough,” she said.

“So I texted the Office of the Vice President and asked for some. After a few days, someone called from Leni Robredo’s office to tell me that they were delivering PPEs.

This came without fanfare or press. They were able to make three deliveries to us.” And this is why she is making her choice for 2022 known this Christmas.