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Where Christmas is not a holiday, Filipinos find ways to spread joy, love
BEIJING — The day before Christmas means last-minute grocery shopping and gift-wrapping in the Philippines as everyone comes together to celebrate one of the world's most anticipated seasons.
In China, it is just an ordinary day.
In Renmin University of China (RUC), one of the country's top educational institutions located in Beijing's Haidian District, many students still have classes the day before Christmas as the fall semester will end on January 12, 2025.
Students go about the day going to class, writing academic papers, and studying for the upcoming finals week.
The scenario is different from what Andy Tan is used to in the Philippines, where Christmas unofficially starts in September.
But instead of feeling sad over missing the usual Filipino treats served on the dining table during Noche Buena, Tan chose to surround himself with the friends he gained in the months since he moved to study in Beijing.
"My plan is to spend some time with my international friends here in Renmin because I know they also feel the holiday blues," said Tan, a Filipino-Chinese student currently taking a postgraduate degree in finance.
On Christmas Day, Tan enjoyed a respite from classes and exams and went bowling with his friends from Sweden, Indonesia, and France.
They traded stories over dinner after the game.
Tan, who hails from Binondo, has fond memories of going bowling during the Christmas season with his friends from church.
"Bowling is a fun activity that doesn’t judge a person for lack of skill or knowledge about the game. It’s beginner friendly. It's the best kind of sport to be played in a group, the more the merrier talaga. The competition brings out the best in everyone," Tan said.
As Beijing's weather dipped below zero, Filipino teachers like Castillo Mapo Jr. are juggling responsibilities pertaining to academic requirements and social events.
But Mapo, 33, made sure that his mission in giving away gifts to friends and colleagues was fulfilled before Christmas Day.
"I sent gifts to my family and friends through online shopping and digital wallets. Video calls and social media also make it easy to stay connected and feel a part of the celebrations back in the Philippines," shared Mapo, a science teacher for two years in an international school.
This was his second year to celebrate Christmas away from his family in Kabasalan town, Zamboanga Sibugay. Before Beijing, Mapo spent four years teaching in the US.
Mapo said it helps that he is employed in an international school that hosts annual Christmas celebrations.
On Christmas Eve, the school hosted an event that included a gifts exchange, a concert, singing and dancing, parlor games, food, and of course the much-anticipated gift exchange.
Mapo, who worked for eight years as a teacher in the Philippines before exploring opportunities abroad, loves gift exchanges during Christmas as it reminds him of his school days in the Philippines.
"Everyone brings a gift and [each gift] is assigned a number. During the party, we would draw numbers from a box. Whatever number you pick, that’s the gift you will 'receive.' It’s a simple yet heartwarming tradition that takes me back to my elementary and high school years," he said.
This year, Mapo also gave cookies to his colleagues.
The cookies are special because they were baked by Mary Sweets, an up-and-coming Filipino bakery in southern China.
To both Mapo and Tan, celebrating Christmas away from the Philippines is about recognizing that the season is best spent with people and not in isolation.
"Celebrating Christmas in Beijing may not have the same warmth and festive buzz as in the Philippines, but it’s still special in its own way. At the end of the day, Christmas is all about Him, the true reason for the season, and that’s what keeps it meaningful no matter where I am," said Mapo. — BM, GMA Integrated News
