MANILA -- As a song says, "it's the most wonderful time of the year". And for Filipinos, these words pertaining to Christmas spell out various presents, — overflowing food and most of all, the warm company of family, friends and loved ones.
However, what is dubbed as the "happiest season of all" doesn't mean the same for every worker. While many of them would love to spend the holidays with their loved ones, they have to skip the celebration just to fulfill the call of duty. The millions of Filipino migrant workers as well as those working in industries which observe 24/7 operations attest to this not-so-happy reality.
Edwin M. Galvan, a service man in the Philippine Marine Corps, said he is already used to working on Christmas Day as he had been doing it for the past 16 years.
"All day is just an ordinary day even there is an special occasion when I'm at service,I have no choice I am committed to serve the Filipino people,” he said.
During these times, Galvan makes it a point to make a video call to greet his family while celebrating the holidays with workmates.
“Sobrang lungkot ang mapalayo sa pamilya,lagi ko silang naiisip at naaalala lalo na sa mga espesyal na okasyon na dapat ay magkakasama kami (It's so sad to be away from family, I always think of them and remember especially on special occasions that we should be together). Whenever I'm with my family we celebrate it always as special day,” he added.
On call
Maria Solita Badillo-Palomeno, 52, from Caloocan City, worked in Saudi Arabia as a doctor for 30 years.
Palomeno narrated that it came to a point that she didn’t want to hear Christmas songs as it makes her feel homesick as she was in a country where there is no Christmas.
But with the help of technology through the internet, she can talk to her family via video call.
“The worst feeling mararamdaman mo yung noche buena but (via) Skype/Viber lang katapat pero I've tried to become strong. Ayaw ko umiyak sa harap ng camera pero nang makita ko na pamilya ko umiyak na ako. Isa pa, hindi ko sila makausap nang matagal kase I have work. Five hours delayed ang oras from Saudi kase masungit ang mga Arabo pag nagaantay sila nang matagal. Walang Pasko sa kanila (I tried to be strong that I do not want to cry front of the camera. But when I see my family, I cried a lot. I do not have much time to talk to them since I have work. Saudi Arabia's time zone is five hours behind. The Arabs get easily irritated whenever they wait for too long. They do not celebrate Christmas.),” she said.
Palomeno said that after work, she celebrates Christmas with her workmates — nurses and fellow doctors.
Meanwhile, Joel Garcia, 32, worked as Seaman (OFW) for more than a decade, echoed Palomeno's sentiments on working on Christmas.
“Busy sa trabaho, naghahanda ng pang celebration. Nakalulungkot kasi nami-miss ko pamilya and friends pero batiin ko na silang lahat in advance December 23 pa lang (Busy preparing for the celebration. It's sad because I miss my family and friends but I will greet them in advance, as early as December 23),” he said.
As the holidays also mean endless parties and drinking sprees, Clark Clarence Santos, said he cannot be on a "holiday mode" as emergency situations can happen anytime.
“The team will be on call during and over the festive period as they are always on high alert at this time due to alot of drunken revellers,” said the 32-year old nurse at Taguig City Risk Reduction Managment Office and Rescue Team.
News go on
Danilo Garcia, 41, a print reporter for 18 years who covers the police and local government beat, believes that “when your profession called you, you still have to do it.”
“Manhid na. Normal na. You got to do what you got to do sa work,” said Garcia, a husband and a father of two.
When asked on how he celebrates Christmas with family and friends, Garcia answered “complete the job as quickly and accurately as possible then join family for the celebration. It’s all about time management. Been experiencing this for a long time, but when you see other people and your family happy, your heart will swell into happiness too.”
For her part, Dr. Ninette P. Gines, 44, a dentist, lives in Taguig City, said her husband Ben, who is a broadsheet reporter, said holidays like Christmas is just an ordinary day in the family.
While many families are on a rush to prepare for Noche Buena, Gines said her husband is racing against time to submit his stories for it to be included in tomorrow's newspaper issue.
“I just help myself motivated that we get to celebrate Christmas the moment he goes home very early on the 25th. As a wife of a reporter, there is no special occasion during festivities because holidays are just but ordinary for us who have a reporter husband,” said Gines, a mother of three.
Double pay
Working on Christmas Day is a present for Louie Santos who works as a call center agent as he gets paid double his usual rate.
Santos, 35, said while he misses his family especially his kids during the celebration, he already got used to be away from them for almost a decade.
Narciso Fortades, of Muntinlupa City, 51, a bus driver at UBE Express Inc., said the double pay that he gets for working on Christmas will go a long way for his family.
“Pumapasok pa rin ako kahit Pasko para kumita at dahil holiday, mas malaki ang makukuha ko dahil holiday may pandagdag sa gastos ng pamilya. Malungkot malayo sa pamilya pero kailangan magtiis para din sa ikabubuhay ng pamilya (I still work during Christmas to earn a living and because its holiday, I get double pay which can I add to the budget for the family\s expenses. I feel lonely because I'm away from them but I need to this for them.),” Fortades said.
Godfrey Tamparong, a security guard who hails from Lanao del Sur, said there is nothing wrong with working on Christmas Day since his family is in the province.
“Aanhin ko naman ang celebration ng Pasko kung nasa probinsya mga mahal ko. Okay na din ang duty, at least dagdag income. Pwede na mag celebrate after o pag nakauwi na lang or kaya tawagan ko na lang sila muna (How can I celebrate Christmas here if my loved ones are in the province. It's fine to be on duty on Christmas. It means additional income. I can just celebrate after work. I will just call them to greet them for the holidays.),” Tamparong said.
When asked on what the spirit of Christmas is, these people shared the same — Christmas is the season for family gatherings and celebration of life. It’s all about making relationships and bonds stronger. Whether with your family, partner or friends. The birth of Jesus Christ is a symbol of new hope and fresh start for each and everyone of us. (PNA)
