Any Noche Buena planned by your tribe for this holiday season? If you have that tradition, make time for it and really be present. Connect with everyone there, make warm and fun moments, and bask in the glow of the conviviality. Don’t allow taklesas to ruin the good vibes. Such a gathering with family and friends is a wonderful custom and can add a lot of color to the holiday season.
If you’re pulling an all-nighter and can’t make it, remember the past Noche Buenas to keep the warm fuzzies alive in your heart as you work. Your family will understand that you need to be away so you can fulfill a dream of a bright future for you and yours. For our kababayans abroad, please keep your spirits up. There are video calling apps that could help you stay connected and ease the ache. Hopefully, you’ve made a couple of good friends where you are. They may appreciate being introduced to a Pinoy Christmas celebration.
Ipinipinta sa Gunita | Painted in Memory
Here’s the third Christmas poem from Eljay Castro Deldoc.
Binibilang ko ang mga taon hindi sa numero
Kung hindi sa mesa at mga silyang napupuno.
Nagbubungguan ang mga plato at mga braso
Sabik ang lahat sa hiwa ng bibingka’t puto
Sabay sa pagsubo ang palitan ng mga kuwento.
Kumakalansing ang mga pares ng kubyertos
Keso’t hamon sa isang iglap ay nauubos
Subalit sa halakhakan hindi kinakapos.
Naghahalikan ang mga baso at kopita
Nasasamid sa mga biro at sorpresa
Pamatid uhaw ang yakap sa isa’t isa.
Salamat at naaaninag pa
Ng lumalabo kong mga mata
Ang ningning ng mga ‘di nabuburang ngiti
Ang kislap ng kabi-kabilang pagbati
Ang tingkad ng mga nag-aawitang tinig
Ang kutitap ng nakahaing pag-ibig.
Bawat noche buena
Busog sa mga alaala.
Mga sandaling kapiling sila
Ipinipinta sa gunita.
Taun-taon, ang pinakaespesyal na regalo
Ay hindi luho o aginaldo
Kung hindi ang puso ng pamilyang kasalo
Tuwing sasapit ang Pasko.
The poem in, English for our non-Pinoy readers—
I count the years not by the numbers,
But by tables filled with kin and wonders.
Plates and elbows softly collide,
Eager for puto and bibingka side by side,
Stories shared with each swallow’s stride.
Spoons and forks in chorus play,
Cheese and ham vanish right away,
But laughter never fades away.
Glasses and goblets gently kiss,
Choking on jokes and sudden bliss,
Our thirst is quenched by each embrace and kiss.
I’m thankful still these eyes can see,
Though dimmed by time and memory—
The shine of smiles that never cease,
The glow of greetings, warm as peace,
The burst of songs the voices bring,
The gleam of love in everything.
Each Noche Buena, richly fed,
With memories that bloom instead.
Moments shared with those held dear,
Painted bright, preserved, sincere.
Year by year, the truest treasure’s glow
Is not in gifts or wealth’s bestow,
But in the heart of kin who stay—
The soul of Christmas, every day.
Happy and exuberant colors
The palette is unmistakably warm with red, orange, yellow, and some variations. A light blue gives the mix an added sparkle.
We wish your Noche Buena will give you high energy and feelings of happiness and comfort. Have cozy conversations with your chums. Stuff yourself with the delicious traditional food and local delicacies. Dance “Opalite” with the Gen Alphas. Or sing Christmas carols with the tipsy titas. Whatever you do, grab the moment with both hands. As Lolo said, “Taun-taon, ang pinakaespesyal na regalo ay hindi luho o aginaldo, kung hindi ang puso ng pamilyang kasalo tuwing sasapit ang Pasko.”
Subscribe to the blog to get fresh drops in your email inbox.
