DESPITE all the crises and challenges our kababayans have experienced in 2014, the Filipino spirit in us continue to rise above them all and look for reasons and means to celebrate Christmas.
Many hold on to Filipino Christmas tradition, a driving force that keeps our faith alive, sustaining us through the most difficult times. This is especially true for us Pinoys who live far away from our families and friends back home.
One of the things kababayans fought hard for was the “Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado” a Christmas tradition ior Filipinos in New York for more than two decades. As Balitang America Correspondent Don Tagala reported, after a two-year ban, the traditional “Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado” is back for good.
“It’s the only time that people from all walks of life, and from Connecticut, Philadelphia, and counties that are far away, they can converge in the Philippine Consulate and enjoy the mass,” said Lumen Casteneda, an organizer for the event.
I have reported through this column how in 2012, the celebration of the Misa De Gallo inside the Philippine Consulate was stopped by the Archdiocese of New York, requiring the Filipino community to celebrate this Pinoy tradition at cathedrals or nearby Parish churches only.
Archbishop Timothy Dolan then explained his decision, citing the Catholic Cannon law that says masses should only be held inside sacred grounds.
But early this year, Dolan lifted the ban, thanks to the relentless advocacy of community leader Loida Nicolas Lewis.
Lewis wrote him a letter and asked him to reconsider his “decision that created a negative impression among Filipino-American.”
“We are grateful that we have this privilege to be able to worship in our territory consulate,” said Monsignor Oscar Aquino on Balitang America. “And that is very, very important for all of us Filipinos, by the way, wherever Jesus is, that’s the Holy place.”
“The Filipino community’s very happy that Simbang Gabi has gone back here,” said Mario De Leon, Philippine Consul General, “as far as they are concerned, the Philippine Consulate, the Philippine Center, is their home away from the Philippines.”
A Fil-Am Christmas Hero in LA
Another Christmas hero we can emulate makes sure traditions are kept, not to benefit himself, but to make sure those who have less in life will Continue to get help. He does this by bell ringing for the Salvation Army.
As Balitang America Correspondent Steve Angeles reported, Filipino-American Salvation Army Major Marcelino Butch Soriano rang his bell non-stop for 150 hours. His six day marathon ended in triumph on Sunday morning.
“I love bell ringing and I love the reason why we bell ring and the cause behind it is to help raise money, to help families in need, to help children in need,” Soriano said on Balitang America. “It’s to remember the Salvation Army’s 150 year existence in 2015. So far, every year the Salvation Army has been around I’ll ring an hour.
Angeles and his camera was there and caught up to him as he broke the 105th hour record he set last year with four other volunteers.
As each chime drew him closer to the records he was in the zone tuning out the ringing noise. Angeles noted that Soriano’s eyes were squinting but were firmly set on raising $10,000 for the Salvation Army by filling the red kettle and getting a few corporate donors.
“I feel great now,” said Soriano. “Yesterday I was feeling very fatigue and my feet were throbbing but I overcame that barrier and I’m looking forward, and looking forward to the 150th hour.”
Soriano told Balitang America that in fulfilling his mission, he also had to deal with the elements as one of the strongest storms in years swept through Southern California.
“It’s been wet but I’m thankful this particular Walmart has an overhang that keeps me dry but it would’ve been nice to be out on a bright sunny day because the donations don’t come as much during a rainy day because people just want to get to their car,” said Soriano.
Angeles said in his report that bell ringers like Soriano are allowed to take five minute breaks for every hour they ring but can also accumulate them towards a longer break. Soriano rarely takes those breaks believing that every swing of his arm is more funds for the Salvation Army programs.
What makes Butch Soriano a Christmas hero is the fact that he may be a Salvation Army employee in the finance department, but as Steve Angeles highlighted, every second and every ring is completely voluntary doing it in the spirit of giving.
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Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
