Christmas 2020

It is barely one month from now and the atmosphere of Christmas is on the air. In some places in the North like Subic in Pampanga and other cities and municipalities thereat we have seen video and tv footages of attractive Christmas decors with moving reindeers for children and young adults to google and appreciate. In Naga City however, observance of Christmas is more subdued although reports are that the city government is preparing the Plaza Rizal for some Christmas attractions. Thus despite the pandemic we cannot but feel the atmosphere of Christmas around us sans Christmas caroling and Christmas parties and mass gatherings which is still forbidden. Be that as it may, as this writer use to say Christmas is not a one-day affair. For every time we clothe a poor man’s back it is Christmas all over again; every time we offer food on a poor man’s table it is Christmas all over again and every time we offer roofing over his head it is Christmas all over again. Merry Christmas to all.

As we look back as the year ends, 2020 has not at all been a difficult year although towards the end, Typhoon “Rolly” and “Ulysses” hit the Bicol region and rendered havoc and vast destruction especially in provinces of Albay and Catanduanes. Even as of this writing the latter has not totally recovered as relief goods and materials continue flowing in.

TRIVIA:

Congratulations to the new set of officers of the Knights of Rizal, Naga City Chapter, which had its election last Saturday. Elected officers are: Sir Knight Virgilio S. Salvador, Chapter Commander. Sir Knight Edgardo R. Bongolto, Deputy Commander. SK Nelson Dy Chua, Chancellor; SK Lorenzo O. Caroche, Exequer; SK Errol P. Delena, Deputy Exequer; SK Julio S. Oliva, Auditor: SK Sonnie P. Bolanlo, Pursuvant; SK Randolfo A. Velasco, Deputy Pursuvant. SK Venancio Regulado, Archivist. SK Simeon P. Adan, SK Salvador J. Cajot and SK Eufronio K. Maristela, Council of Elders.

Belated condolence to the family of SK Lino Salto who recently passed away due to heart failure. Sir Knight Lino served as Chapter Commander of the Knights of Rizal and as Faithful Navigator of the Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree Assembly.

Condolence also to the bereaved family of the late Cecile Sto. Tomas-Pardo, member of the USI high school batch ‘55, who recently crossed the Great Beyond. Her remains is at the St. Peters Memorial Chapel. She is a batch mate of my spouse Minda.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:

“A MAN DOES WHAT HE MUST - INSPITE OF OBSTACLES AND DANGERS AND PRESSURES - AND THAT IS THE BASIS OF ALL HUMAN MORALITY.” PROFILE IN COURAGE CHAPTER II, l956 JOHN F. KENNEDY

FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE:

“AWAY FROM ME ALL WHO DO EVIL, THE LORD HAS HEARD MY WEEPING.” PSALM 5:9