Can’t stop Christmas?

I expected the "ber" months to usher in Christmas. But instead of Christmas carols, I listened to one tragedy after another: The September 11 attacks in New York and Washington D.C., the murder of Nida Blanca, the road accident of Van Dolph and his girlfriend, the retraction of Nida’s confessed killer Philip Medel, the suicide of Maria Theresa Carlson, and the imminent rebellion of our Muslim brothers in Mindanao.

I asked myself: Will there be a Christmas?

I found the answer in the song Can’t Stop Christmas by Martin Nievera. He sings about the Filipino’s resilience in the midst of hard times and the universal wish for peace. The melody is beautiful, the lyrics are so powerful, the song is just full of hope which is what we need right now. Produced by Gift Gate, the song is composed by Martin Nievera, with lyrics by Martin and Rowell Santiago, and arrangement by Louie Ocampo.

Listen to the song a few times like I did and you’ll know that this Christmas will be better than the last, if not the best of all times. After all, it is during hard times that we realize that true happiness lies not in material things, but in sharing our love and time or even a smile to those in need.

Former President Cory Aquino: No way can anyone stop the peaceful love of Christmas. It’s ours forever!

Virgie Ramos, president, Gift Gate: You can’t stop Christmas. Optimism is our message for the holiday season.

Martin Nievera, singer, talk show host: Even in a world of uncertainty where pain and suffering has darkened our hopes, nothing and no one can ever stop Christmas. I believe this truly is a reason for the season and that the Star of Hope will shine forever.

No matter what, you can’t stop Christmas.

Rowell Santiago, director: This year, we saw a lot of events that made people come together and unite. Let this be our inspiration. Christmas is a time when people can be happy for no reason. We can’t stop it.

Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, equestrienne champion: Christmas isthe time of year when we remember and celebrate the fulfillment of the Lord’s promise of a Savior for the world. It’s our victory over evil and suffering in the world. No one or nothing can get in the way of the true spirit and meaning of Christmas.

Louie Ocampo, musical director and composer: Christmas always puts a smile in my heart. It can’t be stopped.

Susana Madrigal Eduque, businesswoman: It is during times like these that we should look forward to Christmas – the birth of Jesus Christ who is God’s love.

Sarah Meier, MTV-Asia VJ, commercial model: You can’t stop Christmas because it’s very infectious, extremely addictive and, fortunately, incurable.