To Party or Not To Party

There’s something in the air in this season. Is it peaches in the Congress? Is it the smell of bills paid for promoting or pulling down candidates? Is it the remaining faint odor of wood that was soaked in flood water? Is it Christmas? What is this I hear? Are you not going to have your traditional Christmas party?

Some communities have opted to cancel the traditional Christmas party this year, presumably in sensitivity to the financial difficulties brought about by this year’s typhoons, mainly Kristine. So, we’ll be going directly to the holiday break without the workplace or classroom celebration. At least, I suppose, there would be some celebration at home. It feels like that tradition of holding off celebration when the family is mourning a dead relative.

I guess that makes sense. Traditional celebration is called off because we experienced difficulties, financially and emotionally, from the typhoon, especially from that flood that swallowed up whole ground floors. “Initial assessment of DA Regional Field Office in Bicol Region, damage and losses have been reported in rice and corn amounting to PHP9.75 million affecting 234 farmers” (Sevillano, 2024). On a wider scale, “Bicol’s agricultural losses due to Kristine reach over P2 billion” (Labalan, 2024). The actual figures are definitely higher because these reports were given early on after the calamity. We also saw losses on dry goods shops, thrift clothing shops, book shops, formal wear rentals, shoe stores, fast food shops, convenience stores and groceries which were not only flooded but were also looted and most probably so much more. The public market (which is officially known as Naga City People’s Mall) was practically thrashed by the typhoon. (I’m still waiting for McDonald’s to bounce back after the flood.) Actual losses are most probably higher than the estimated figures. Naturally, these industry losses trickle down to losses in family income which further trickle down to decrease in individual financial resources. Many families have lost resources and had to find sources to make up for those lost resources. With these significant setbacks, it is understandably prudent to cut down or shy away from expenses which may not qualify as necessary for day-to-day engagements. In the light of recent events, contributions for food, exchange gift and other items suddenly become extravagant.

But, on the other hand, would not some celebration spark some positive disposition? Would not withdrawing from traditional festivity only prolong and prompt the mindset of loss and defeat? I suppose, we all would want to move on from the muddy flood waters. Would not the best track of moving on be to continue with life as it has been even before the waters rose and washed out those important documents?

Celebrations have a healing property to mental wellness. Celebrations Foster Social Connection and Community Support. They offer a break from routine and stress. They provide comfort and stability. They encourage gratitude and positive reflection. They offer a form of emotional release. They build purpose and happiness. They create positive memories that build resilience. They lead to personal well-being. They offer substantial mental health benefits. They enhance overall well-being.

Before you take me for some mental health expert, I got those from The article, “Healing Power of Celebration: Festivals and Mental Wellness” posted 2024 by the Indian Counselling Services.

Furthermore, celebrations nurture “a sense of self and belonging, which is fundamental to our mental well-being.” They “provide a reassuring break from the daily grind, reducing anxiety and stress.” This one I got from Mindful Health Solutions posted last year.

A 2021 article from Innovative Resources puts it nicely in saying that though celebrations sometimes (consciously or unconsciously) dismissed as indulgent or time-consuming, research tells us that they are important to our mental health, self-care, happiness and motivation”. “A number of studies have found that [celebrating] brings significant benefits, including improved physical health and better coping strategies. People who take time to reflect on — and celebrate — their successes are generally more optimistic, take better care of themselves and tend to be less stressed. Celebrations increase people’s sense of well-being, regardless of socioeconomic factors, education, age or gender” (innovative resources,, 2021).

What I’m trying to get at is that maybe, by advocating austerity in the justice of judiciousness, maybe we’re impeding mental well-being. By doing so, we could unknowingly be laying the groundwork for future glitches along the road.

So, maybe, it’s the other way around. Maybe, it should not be that we don’t party because we suffered losses. But, rather, we should party all the more because we suffered some losses. We win them back by continuing with life as we have had before.

I know you’re all going to party anyway.

“‘From them will proceed thanksgiving and the voice of those who celebrate;” Jeremiah 30:19