Sunday, December 21, 2008 Gueco: December 25 By Malou Gueco Aslagan
WHAT an Aslagan (sunrise) day of new beginning.
In four days we will embrace our loved ones, family and friends as we celebrate the greatest nativity story ever proclaimed on earth. The year 2008 softly fades into the background of pink, purplish and orange sunset of yesterday and bid each one of us with goodbye.
What a year it was! Enemies came and we tried our best to befriend them.
Disappointments mushroomed and we struggled to cope with all the strength in our being. Glancing back at the 2008 calendar, inspired me to recall the year that was.
Overpowering memories opened up my heart, mind and spirit. Like the magical film from Hollywood and/or Indian bollywood, the movie entitled "2008" unfolded these scenes right before my very eyes.
Lights, camera, action.
"T'was a cold night in early December when my best friend Amy was operated on to remove her breast cancer. Tears flowed down my cheeks as I sought for words to comfort her through her illness.
Likewise, the headlines from our national newspapers pasted on this sorrowful story. Looking back at us was the emaciated face of former President Cory Aquino who is battling colon cancer.
My heart broke in seeing the grand lady gathering up all the strength of her heart of courage." I will live on" is her battle cry.
The next scenario unfolded these black and white colors. Unveiling the curtains of the imaginary movie screen I see Amerasians walking in utter helplessness.
Mariz, Paula and Tina who long to see their American fathers. Crying to the high heavens, they ask our Creator to please bless them with the gift of seeing their fathers.
If in case this is not possible, they beseech our loving Jesus to help them heal from their father hunger. They have suffered enough for the last fifty lonely years.
Yearning to move on, they want to offer all the blood flowing in their veins to Baby Yesu who came from the heavens of acceptance, accord and abounding love.
Now, this next scene greet my reminiscence...staring in front of me and seated along the sidewalks of Holy Family Academy and other corners of the city, I see Aetas.
Selling their papayas, bananas and camote crops, their looks are misty with deprivation. Haunting looks from their dark pools of eyes make me feel guilty.
Our brothers and sisters with poverty in their bellies and sorrow in their fragile hearts are calling out to you and I to unburden their back shoulders filled with pain.
End of the film "2008." What a memorable picture it was!
Prayers
Closing my eyes, I mentally switch off the plug of this movie. Quietly I reach out for pen and paper. Flowing emotions move me to write out these prayers:
Mariz, I am with you. May you and your fellow Amerasians find your father. May you find the solace of reconciling peace, reenergizing acceptance and reinvigorating family completion.
To Amy, Madame Cory and our many sisters and brothers who are fighting for dear life. May the mantle of complete healing hug you. May you find fortitude in these times of struggles.
To our sister/brother Aetas who carry a goat with them as they roam the city for food, alms and clothes - may you feel the comfort of food, clothing and money. Know what? Your gifts of simplicity, love for Mother Nature and natural goodness are just great. Shining like a lighthouse in the dark night, you hold the gems of truth...
These are the three Christmas gift of prayers I send to our beloved loved ones.
Now I calmly truant around to face our Baby Yesu on the manger. Please comfort us with your smile of peace, security and abundance. Fill our minds with the goodness of your great birth on earth. Baby Yesu, uplift our hearts with the energies of joyous love for now and always...
