Christmas in Two Places

While we are figuring out how to fix a defective memory card containing precious photos from some recent trips, let me share some Christmas decors we’ve come across as we did some tours. I am not really a celebrator of this day. But, well, in view of its Spirit, here it is.

* the bright Christmas light in front of the municipal hall in Bay (Ba’i), Laguna

* Trailer Pransis breathing in the Spirit of the season in Bay

* bear with the poor shot as it was done during an unexpected downpour; the church in Sariaya, Quezon

Sariaya Belen Festival 2010

One of the most common decors I have seen is the Nativity scene, often called in the country as Belen. Seen here are some of the Belen exhibits at the Sariaya plaza just across the church. Unfortunately, the sudden rain prevented me to take pictures of all the displays.

* this one is made by Lennon Roxas

* this is was designed by Concepcion Ibaba Elementary School, it was adjudged as the Night Judging Winner

* this was from DepEd Sariaya East

* this was submitted by JC Farm

With the possible exception of New Year celebration (when all firecrackers and fireworks light up the skies along with the noxious smoke), Christmas seems to be one unique celebration when the night-time is engulfed with many different lights.

Aboard a DLTBCo. Bus

  
People are busy online searching for information about the recently-operated DLTBCo. Buses. One of the most comprehensive sources so far is a particular Flickr account which contains many photos of the buses.

Riding the buses is quite comfortable. They have wider seats (as in the case of DLTB buses bound for Batangas Pier) and are cozy (seeing red all around is quite good I think).

It may carry a name almost similar to a defunct bus company which reigned for many decades but we are yet to see if they will survive because of the operation of other public buses. And I am yet to see an ordinary DLTBCo. bus. Most of what I saw so far are air-conditioned ones.
 
See my first entry about DLTBCo. here.
   

The Christmas Eve in Noli Me Tangere

As Christmas day approaches I cannot help but remember one of the chapters in Noli Me Tangere. Christmas in the Philippines is always an awaited celebration and it must have been the case too during Rizal’s time. And Rizal, being a man of irony himself, chose to stamp a scene of gloom in the concluding parts of the Noli: the death of several characters amidst the joyful air of Christmas.

What I looked for specifically in the Christmas Eve Chapter (chapter 64 in the Soledad-Lacson Locsin version) were the food and customs that might still be seen at present. On the first part we can see Basilio (still recovering from his wounds) in the company of a family living up a mountain. I could not help but wonder if Rizal had in mind Mount Maquiling as the setting. What was the food the family was planning to prepare for Christmas Eve? Chicken and dried boar’s meat for the meal. For the children, firecrackers and a head for a doll. I don’t know, but I think meat will always be a staple food for Filipino festivities. As for the children’s wishes, it seems that the use of firecrackers is a deeply entrenched tradition of the Filipinos. We won’t be seeing a firecracker-free Philippines yet.

With regards to the death I mentioned, it refers to Sisa’s and Elias’. I always wonder why stories that concern blood are always moving. We see here Sisa gripped by insanity, but when she sees the bloodied forehead of Basilio, “something like a spark was kindled in her mind, and she recognized her son.” Later we see Elias uttering one of the famous lines from the novel and the open-air cremation of his body, together with Sisa’s.

Perhaps beyond the festive atmosphere of Christmas celebrations, I believe it would not be that bad to look around and extend comfort to those who are hurting.  

The Christmas Decorations at U.P. Los Baños

* a white Christmas tree; as usual, it is always higher than the (former) Admin Building

* Belen

* Santa lands on UPLB!

* Trailer Pransis striking a pose

I seem to recall that UPLB started installing impressive Christmas decorations after the onslaught of Milenyo in 2006. The wooden Nativity Scene was a commissioned work, constructed using the uprooted trees inside the campus during the said typhoon.

Indeed, the decors are leveling-up each year. But for those who have what I call ‘malilikot na isip’ (I apologize for this, as I cannot find right now an appropriate English translation of it), the issue of the tuition fee increase a few years back is recalled to the mind. Were these decors (and the lightings all over the campus) made possible by the student fees? I wonder.

Back Trails Blog First-Year Anniversary

Reaching this first-year mark in Back Trails’ existence is not a surprise at all. In fact, I have been looking forward in celebrating this.

This first-year block contains in general my exploits in the last six years. And I am thankful that I was able to share here what I thought then as random notes about history tidbits from the places that I was able to visit. This small compilation of trips and notes is already a fine achievement for me but I think that I can still push this blog beyond its present state.

I came to a point that I characterized Back Trails as a travel/history/culture blog. And in my own interpretations, I think I was able to fulfill that description. But reading through other travel and history blogs and doing revisits to different places in the country, one thing comes clearer and clearer to me:

that discovering things about a person’s or a place’s past is inexhaustible; for the past, as days pass by, gets more and more intricately complex, and it is up to a willing adventurer – be it a historian with degrees and titles or a simple traveler – to immerse him/herself in our country’s past.

Much can still be discovered about our country’s past. This is evident in the active works of some historians and writers who stir the stagnant waters of our historical consciousness and turn our attention towards history. Of course, we may have our own motivations, but if the same end is desired (that is, having an active interest in history all over the country), then such differences are not problems at all.

But being an amateur traveler/travel-history writer is not an excuse to suspend Back Trails in mediocrity. Just recently, while reading through some downloaded materials, I came across a line that sliced through me, as its message is a wake-up call and a sharp-edged motivation for me to continue with Back Trails and make it more than just a good blog:

…knowledge of [the] real history carries significant power.

To have knowledge of our history – our real history – is to master the intricacies of our past, together with all the ugly sides, the scandals, the treacheries, among other. To have knowledge of our real history is to have solid grounding in examining our present conditions. To have knowledge of our history is to be able to define our identity and prepare ourselves well (as a country) in the future.

This may not have much bearing on the reason for this day’s celebration but this is important to me, as I am now endowing Back Trails a firm anchor from which to base its future contents. I might as well call this a passion, as others may not have the same degree of enthusiasm about such endeavor.

Finally, I shall still keep the language format of the blog. Although I have now understood the importance of having our records of (or about) the past written in Filipino, writing entries in English will facilitate faster dissemination of information and thoughts to the world. This may not be a strong justification but I am content to have this suffice for now.

And so now, to the people who I was able to know (even in passing) through Back Trails, let us then continue with the historical escapades and discover the Philippines (and its rich past) as we travel and see different places. To you, chance reader, I hope that you would stick to this blog and share this with your friends as well.

Hail to Back Trails! Cheers!