Baleg Ya Pisalamat

Baleg Ya PIsalamat

(Great Thanks)

“O Holy Night, the Stars are brightly shining…”

That music still reverberates in my ears until now. I can still feel the Christmas Spirit. I don’t know if I even wanted it to end but I guess one month has been enough for us to be with our families, relatives and friends. In fact, I even hung-out with two of my best buddies last January 6 (the day before we return to the seminary). SULIT!

Most of my vacation was spent with my family and relatives both of the father’s and of the mother’s side. I’m happy to see them once again. [Almost] everyone was present. My dad’s siblings who came from abroad (Canada, Brazil and Dubai) celebrated Christmas with us. My little cousins were also there in our province in Malasiqui, Pangasinan. We all had fun cherishing time together. For honesty’s sake, yes, we faced problems too but blessings made my vacation worth it.

Before going home last December 10, 2014, I received movie tickets of “The Hobbit” (for December 12) from Fr. Val. At that moment, I was thinking that our family would be able to watch it but we had conflicts in our schedules and had problems of going to the mall so we decided to give them to others. At least someone benefitted from it too. And since it was also the birthday of my dad last December 12, we celebrated it during dinner at home.

O. B. Montessori Sta. Ana – the place I consider as the extension of our house. Seriously, I even had the privilege of entering the campus compared to other alumni who are always asked to stay by the gate. I was able to visit and greet our Branch Manager, teachers and friends. I really had a great time sharing stories with them especially when they’re already dismissed from class. This happened twice.

The place I am always eager to visit during our vacations in Malasiqui is Don Pedro. That is the barrio where my mom grew up. Life there isn’t abundant when it comes to wealth but people are very jolly. My cousins and young aunts there have grown up as beautiful ladies sharing smiles and hugs whenever we meet. They may be poor but I can see the hope in their eyes that they’re willing to study and work with perseverance all together to keep their families united and peaceful. No wonder my mother inherited such attitude.

Since they have small homes in Don Pedro and are always invited by my father’s family, we stay in Bongar where my grandparents in my father’s side live. We are a big family especially when my cousins and some relatives are around. There were more than 60 of us during Christmas Eve. No visitors yet that night. Indeed the cooks which my grandparents hire have been gifted by God to feed a multitude of people. New Year’s Eve felt the same but the siblings of my father and their families came. It was still amazing and amusing as we fill our stomachs last Noche Buena and as we light up the fireworks display during Media Noche. I can’t even remember if I have embraced some of them twice or thrice. Everyone was happy.

What is very memorable this Christmas is that I see the graces of God working in me. I was able to give a recollection to my little cousins and I was able to complete the Novena last Misa de Gallo. The Church in Malasiqui requires a vehicle from my dad’s barrio for us to get there because no one wakes up at 2:00 in the morning. At first I worried that I might not be able to complete our family’s 9-day devotion because my dad had schedules in Manila and we only depend on him because he’s the only one who knows how to drive. But then, I stopped worrying. I told the Lord, “Lord, you will provide. Kayo na po ang bahala.” Magic? No. Miracle. My uncles and grandfather volunteered to drive us to the town every dawn for us to attend the Mass. They’re not devout and practicing Catholics but I guess their hearts were softened when they saw us eager to complete the Novena. They did not feel it a burden for them too. Thank God! By the way, I learned a lot of prayers in Pangasinense.

It was also a time of discernment for me. I know that my schedules during vacations are far different from the one in the seminary. I missed the solemnity of prayers and Masses here. God keeps on bringing me to places where he can show me His wonders and where I will find happiness especially in praying.

The graces that my family received were overflowing. We can’t even walk in our living room, we can’t place four plates on our round dining table during meals and we can’t store more food in our refrigerator. I’m not exaggerating. We have been receiving gifts from generous friends. God is so good. I can’t express my gratitude to Him.

More so, I still can’t forget how each smile especially from little kids and the poor have made me feel in loved in God’s presence this Christmas. I hope that I was able to share my gifts and my blessings. He has shown me that I am rich and lucky when He chose to become a helpless infant ready to embrace my humanity.

Balbaleg su pisasalamat ko ed sikayo Katawan! (My thanks to you, O God, is so great.)