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Christmas is 35 days away. In earlier years in the Philippines, we started anticipating Christmas as early as September, the first ?ber? month of the year. But not this time with that catastrophic series of typhoons hitting central and northern Luzon at the close of September. Then came the alarming abductions, killings, and threats of more mayhem to come in the country's troubled south.
Well, now the first signs of Christmas have started brightening up our cityscape with colorful lighted parols along our main thoroughfares. And that landmark huge Christmas tree of lights is beginning to go up at Fuente Osmeña. That must certainly be parol-decked, too, and topped by an image of the Sto. Niño, the Holy Child whose birth day we celebrate on the 25th.
Christmas parties are being planned in advance to avoid overlapping in December. Zonta Club of Cebu I set our party for December 5th while the Cebu Girl Scout Council already set our ?Handog sa Pasko? for December 19th.
November is also a month of celebrations to honor the saints on their holy days, our heroes and heroines, as well as historical events with holiday set aside for them.
Tomorrow, the 21st, Lapu-Lapu City celebrates its town fiesta in honor of the Virgen de Regla, Our Lady of the Rule. We greet them, particularly Mayor Arturo Radaza and his wife, Paz, immediate past president of our Cebu Girl Scout Council.
Sunday, the 22nd, is the Feast of Christ the King, Cristo Rey, celebrated by the Archdiocese of Cebu with a grand procession and Eucharistic celebration by Cardinal Vidal at the Cebu City Sports Center.
The 22nd is also the feast of St. Cecilia, patronees of music, and of St. Martin de Porres, who is patron of the St. Martin de Porres School for special children in Cebu. The school at Tres de Abril Street in Labangon was started by Dr. Conching Rodil Martiners, and celebrates its 43rd anniversary this year. Today, I understand it is now owned and managed by the Special Child Association of Cebu Foundation.
I remember some years back, I was able attend their annual celebration, on invitation of Dr. Fortunata ?Pacing? Rodil, a sister of Founder Conching, and former fellow Zontian Amparo ?Amparing? Rodil, who has passed on to her eternal rest, God bless her. Another friend who worked for the school was the late Loreto ?Loring? Larraquel Victorino, who too, has passed away. The school continues its mission for special children. Fellow CDN columnist Jaime Picornell has reported on the details of this significant anniversary. Jaime also reports on the setting up of a traditional belen at the Casa Gorordo Museum garden, which I must see, too.
At this time when the country still mourns the devastation and suffering brought on by the recent two typhoons, that brought an unprecedented outpouring of international help, and now that we are in the thick of pre-election alignments, the triumph of Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao, unprecedented in the annals of boxing, has caused an an explosion of national pride. The papers and broadcast media have been reveling in his rare achievement, seven title triumphs, that have riveted national pride and international recognition. To think that his achievement was prefigured by a Time Magazine cover feature about him that came out before his last win. Like many opinions expressed in media, and by his family, I do hope he ?retires? at the top of the game and ventures in other areas worthy of his talents. Perhaps, politics where he has already cast his lot and show biz to boot?
Another achiever, quieter, working for some time now, championing child welfare, is 91-year-old lawyer Esperanza Valenzona, founder of the Share a Child Movement. Still looking forward to contributing more to the cause of children's welfare, even if she?s wheelchair-bound, Valenzona was honored as 2009 Family Values Awardee by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, also known as the Mormon Church, even if she is not a member of the church. Recognition of heroes and heroines, transcends nationality, religious belief, and state in life.
Atty. Valenzona's Share-a-Child Movement, the St. Martin de Porres School for Special Children started by Dr. Conching Rodil Martires, the Adopt-a-School projects of the Cebu Zonta Club I, the continuing work for our young girls by the Cebu Girl Scout Council, and the Cebu Women Network and Legal Alternatives for Women, Inc. with their monthly ?Women's Kapihan? on radio dyLA, share the efforts of both women and men for the betterment of our country.
All hail to them and may God bless them, and us as well.
