The most appealing Christmas cards

There must be a paper shortage this year – or didn’t you notice?

Unlike in years past, I didn’t receive as many Christmas cards, and how I missed them! Truth to tell, sometimes I treasure the cards – and the words personally inscribed, not typewritten, on them by the senders – more than whatever is inside the beautifully-wrapped boxes. Remember what the poet said? For the gift without the giver is bare.

Yes, I keep beautiful cards with beautiful words and I don’t care if you call me a sentimental fool.

Anyway, like in years past, Funfare has picked the "most appealing Christmas cards" for its annual "Christmas Card Contest." You’re right: Christmas, besides being for children, is for the family; it’s the one time of the year when family ties are renewed and strengthened, when the negative should be cast into the wind, never to be absorbed again, and only the positive – yes, the good, the beautiful and the true – should be let into our hearts.

Nothing can be more touching than the smiling and happy faces of a family adorning a Christmas card, that’s why Funfare almost always chooses "family-oriented" cards as annual winners.

For a few years now, Richard Gomez and wife Lucy Torres, with their daughter Juliana, have been topping the list and it’s because they prepare their cards with tender loving care, made-to-order and not just (hurriedly?) bought from the nearest bookstore.

Like Sharon Cuneta, Lucy signs every card also with tender loving care, adding a personal note as "P.S." Very heart-warming.

Here are the Top 5 Christmas cards of Year 2003:

1. Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres with daughter Juliana.

2. Sharon Cuneta and Sen. Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan with daughters Frankie and KC.

3. Tina Revilla and Sergie Osmeña with children Gio and Jana.

4. Maricel Laxa and Anthony Pangilinan in Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro, with children Ella, Donny, Hannah and Benja.

5. Speaker Jose de Venecia and Gina Vera-Perez with children Christopher and KC.