San Beda College Overseas Newsletter . Grade School Class '69 High School Class'73
Volume I Issue 3 December 2000 Quarterly Edition email sanbeda@justice.com
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Special times like Christmas brings joy to most of us. To some it brings many sweet memories of what it was like to be a child. Often, we take refuge in these memories to buffer the painful experiences we’ve been through and endure the challenges we are presently facing. One memory I kept was one I learned from my mom. During her time, my mom, Emily, had seemingly made a commitment to do something special during the holidays. Year after year, as far as I can remember, Christmas tradition for us would mean, waking up at 4:30 a.m. everyday, for the simbang gabi traditions. As you all know this runs from the 16th - 24th of December. Later in the evenings momma would load rented jeepneys with friends and their children. They would then go to the poorest of neighborhoods in Manila and the outskirts and sing Christmas carols to the poorest families of the city. Siempre, the families were surprised, kasi nga in our culture, when carolers come to your doorstep, you're supposed to give them something. In this case, what would the poor give? However, si Momma would do the just the opposite. While the group was singing, she would walk up to the families and give them bags of food and goodies as Christmas presents. The food, they can use para sa Noche Buena.
All night of the 23rd through the early morning of the 24th, friends and relatives would come to our house to help cook and clean. After the last pre-dawn Christmas services, on the morning of the 24th, mom would asked everyone, especially the needy to come to our house and have breakfast. In our high schools days, friends like Fronie Velante and Mon Carbonillo would come and join us.
Later in life, I asked mom why she would do this. She said" Hijo,there is so much to be thankful for, from the moment you wake up to the time you retire at night. Christmas is about thanking the Lord and sharing with the less fortunate all year round.”
Mom’s gone now. The rest of us left behind, continue her Christmas tradition in some way. These words remind me of mom, and how blest we all are
thank you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf.
Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as
long as possible, thank you, Lord, that I can see. Many are blind.
Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising, thank you Lord,
that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.
Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are
lost, toast is burned, tempers are short, my children are so loud
thank you, Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely.
Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in
magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced, thank you, Lord,
for the food we have. There are many who are hungry.
Even though the routine of my job is often monotonous, thank you,
Lord, for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job.
Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish
my circumstances were not so modest, thank you, Lord, for life.
Merry Christmas to you and your family. God Bless you always!
Balili Motor Works
Mr. John Balili
4-41
Supling ni Lufring
Mr. Alfredo Lofradez
4-42
Quo Veta
Mr. Blas Ramos
4-43
Tsane Macopa Farms
Ms. Ana Improgo
4-44
Panerderia
Mr. Julian Paner
4-45
Gorio
Mr. Ligorio Fernandez
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Yours in St. Benedict-Editorial
Mendiola Days
Minutes of November. Board meeting
Pong's Deposit
Gimiknight 2001
Class 69/73 planned reunion
Grandstand
Where do we stand on the Estrada issue?