IT HAS been more than a year since Super Typhoon Odette (Rai) struck Cebu.
When Odette hit Cebu on Dec. 16, 2021, Cebuanos from different walks of life had to forgo the yearly Christmas celebration to focus on looking for water, fuel, a way to communicate, and rebuilding their damaged homes, offices and lives.
One year later, Cebuanos are now conducting “revenge revelries” amid the Christmas season.
Aside from the growing crowds at malls and department stores undertaking “revenge shopping sprees” that were often seen a week before Christmas, the Christmas parties are back even though the country is still tackling the Covid-19 pandemic.
For Catholics, what truly completed their post-Odette Christmas celebration was the return of the nine-day Misa de Gallo. When Odette hit Cebu, churches had just resumed the holding of physical Misa de Gallo.
Cebuanos continue to hope that the holiday season will remain peaceful and without incident.
For residents, this year’s Christmas celebration will serve as a respite after a year of struggles.