The Celebration

by Francesca Ean Alexis Tiu (Grade 9 – Mendeleev)
Art by Pauline Abigail Mandalupe (Grade 6 – Zhang Heng)

Christmas is one of the most wonderful times of the year, as the saying likes to go. There are many reasons for loving the holiday season and the main reason for my enjoyment is the celebration itself.

I love how festive the entire city of Iloilo becomes whenever the temperature of the air shifts from an agonizing heat to a chilling coldness. The normality of the city melts away, only to be replaced by an explosion of celebration. Walking out of the house feels like stepping into a children’s book with all the lights and the laughter and the cheers as the young and old alike dance around in the magic of this festive wonderland. It feels like the entire world is celebrating with us whenever I pass by a greeting card in the mall or when I eat dinner with my family.

My heart goes warm despite the cold December wind as I see the smiles of everyone enjoying this joyful holiday. Everyone wishing each other well and showing their appreciation for one another in the name of holiday spirit always sparks a sense of happiness in me. It’s nice to see everyone coming together to celebrate the birth of baby Jesus. It’s nice to have something to celebrate.