Dispatches by Adrian Conoza

Whenever I see girls and boys Selling lanterns on the street I remember the child in the manger as he sleeps The Philippines is very much known as a country that anticipates the Christmas season as early as September, the first of the "Ber Months" (the last four months of the calendar). This anticipation is very much seen on social media, especially when you see memes of singer-songwriter Jose Mari Chan (JMC) sitting beside his piano on a backdrop adorned with a Christmas tree. Surrounding the picture are words that goes: "Kontrolado ko lahat ng speakers sa mall". One would definitely react with "Haha" because he/she must have heard sometime in his/her life Jose Mari's Christmas songs playing on the malls, markets, or on radio as early as September.  From Google Images Since his timeless songs like "Christmas in Our Hearts" and "A Perfect Christmas" are in the Christmas playlist of public areas, JMC is now ...

'Til then, Christmas, I will miss your joy I'm glad for the Season, I had some rest 'Til then, Christmas, I wait like a boy Back to normal, work hard, be put to test 'Til then, Christmas, thanks for the joy of giving I've learned the value of the period, the Reason for the Season The togetherness of family, the union and sharing This time of the year is done, and time goes on 'Til then, Christmas, I'll miss the TV shows The books and stories, good channels and programs Insights, encounters, and reflections that glow The great break that I had 'Til then, Christmas, your spirit may enliven Even if it's not your time, may your soul sparkle Kindness, generosity, goodness you have lent 'Til then, let your stars twinkle 'Til then, Christmas, the lights have to go out The music of your days go back to shelf Your comfort and gentleness have stood out Christmas that's meaningful, that I felt 'Til then, Christmas, I move on with life Through li...

2 years ago, I wrote a piece here , where I depicted 2 different Christmases: one that was a joyous celebration, and one that was not that joyous. Days before Christmas that year, Typhoon Washi, or Sendong, struck Mindanao and parts of Visayas and Palawan. As long as I can remember, the pictures and videos showed a very tragic aftermath. One picture that I put there in the post set my mood down. I did wonder: how they'll spend Christmas when there's nothing left? When their love ones were carried away from them? This year, I felt the same again. History repeated itself, but now in a stronger level. Typhoon Haiyan, or Yolanda, is seen as the greatest storm yet. It brought damage in Visayas and parts of Minanao. It turned Tacloban and nearby places into "ghost towns", like that in The Walking Dead , or Cell . Seeing on the TV screen what was going on there pulled me in awe. I felt compassion. I was saddened suddenly. I wondered what can I do to help. And so I wrote the ...

So wondering what's Up Dharma Down Community? They are the fans of a great band here in the Philippines: Up Dharma Down . Good thing I discovered and revisited them this year with their new single " Turn It Well ". Nice artwork, I like to share it with you. Credits to those who did this simple yet great artwork similar to the band's newest album, " Capacities ". Merry Christmas!

Nice to see something from Jose Rizal. Yes. He drew this one. A Christmas tree for his translation of  Hans Cristian Andersen's "Little Fir Tree" (Ang Puno ng Pino) . I hope to know that story. It's just something nice to share. Credits to the great historian Ambeth Ocampo . Maligayang Pasko!

Credits to the nice bookstore named Fully Booked It's been almost 2 months since I haven't blogged here because of life's busyness and the school's demands. I even didn't feel it's Christmas during those times. I haven't felt the emerging season for the first time.  Nevertheless, we are still celebrating Christmas—celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ (so please, don't "X" Christ in Christmas.), celebrating God's greatest love to us. That love is shown when Christ, whom we celebrate right now, was crucified on the cross, and when his blood was shed for the forgiveness of our sins.  We now already have the big solution, the greatest gift we could have: the forgiveness of sins, reunion with God, and eternal life. And what we only have to do is to accept it in our lives.  You can accept it right now. Just pray to God, say to Him that you're sorry for your sins, and that you receive His gift with all your heart, that you accept Him as your ...

Hours are now remaining before December 25: Christmas Day. Let us not forget the true meaning of Christmas: CHRIST MOST. In Christmas, we should not "X" Christ. It's a celebration of His birthday, and He is the heart of this season. In Him, there is peace , there is salvation . I learned them in Our Daily Bread . May we all enjoy this celebration of the birth of our Savior. Grace....Peace....and Love be with us all! Here are some bits and pieces regarding Christmas..Merry Christmas! Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head. The stars in the sky looked down where He lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. "Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind.  To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy,  is to have the real spirit of Christmas." -Calvin Coolidge "The best of all gifts around any  Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family  all wrapped up in each other." -Burton Hill...

This Christmas would be a different Christmas for me, even for others. First, after lots of work at school, I still couldn't feel it's Christmas. I think it's because I'm strained at working and toiling for the sake of good grades, forgetting that I have to enjoy Christmas. But now, I can enjoy it at last. Also, I'll learn to be creative and meaningful of my gifts. I won't buy and buy. Those are just examples of how my Christmas would be different. But here's the thing that really makes this Christmas different: It's two Christmases.   One Christmas would be almost a cold season, with parols shining everywhere and Christmas trees flashing with colorful lights. The other is a tragedy of flashfloods. People swimming through vast of floods, people around rubble, people around darkness.  One Christmas would be a joyous celebration for families, for relatives. They'll be together in a table, eating that delicious noche buena, the Christmas ham being the ...