December storms, December hopes

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas,” so goes a lilting western Christmas carol. “Pasko na naman, o kay tulin ng araw,” our own Philippine carol also dishes out the same sentiment. Glittering Christmas lights and lanterns are up in many homes, in the malls, even in the streets. Christmas carols fill the air on radio. Today, our long honored tradition of “Simbang Gabi” begins.

It is also quite interesting, but not really a surprise, that as cited in the Philippine Star issue of December 13, 2012: “Philippines Top Pick for Most ‘Christmassy’ Place in the World,” based on “a recent CNN iReport” and “a related poll by the news network.”

The Christmas season is indeed here, and the daily countdown by radio and television deejays and broadcasters continually reminds us so. But why is it that amidst all these, some say that they do not feel the Christmas spirit?

Is it merely typical adult perspective that happens when childlike wonderment for the season is overtaken by many real, practical concerns, such as where to find the budget for all the gift-giving and contributions for Christmas parties? Is it merely nostalgia that pervades many a grown up’s life, looking back to the “good old days,” when life was simpler, when there was less materialism and commercialism, when there was less stress, and yes, less traffic, even in December? Is it because on a personal level, some are going through their own storms financially, emotionally, and physically/medically?

Or is it because our Decembers of recent years have been also a period of storms and calamities, of typhoons, floods, landslides, earthquakes and tsunamis? For our countrymen in Mindanao and the Visayas especially, it was “Sendong” last year and “Pablo” this year that claimed hundreds of lives, homes and means of livelihood. How do you celebrate Christmas in those circumstances? How can the glitter of lights and lanterns find meaning in those situations?

But even beyond weather-related calamities, we are also experiencing this December what many believe to be a greater storm, something more subtle and hidden from many eyes, whose effects may not be immediately felt, but something whose consequences will surely cause more devastating pain not only now, but also for the generations to come.

I refer to the divisive RH bill which was just approved on 2nd reading in the House of Representatives and which, its sponsors claim, will likewise be passed in the Senate soon enough.

For those of us who were following the Batasan proceedings on that fateful day of Dec. 12 (that eventually flowed into early morning of Dec. 13), 2012, a more devastating storm made a landfall when the final count on 2nd reading was announced: 113 in favor of the RH Bill, 104 against.

My wife and I, together with Couples for Christ members, were there in the Session Hall Gallery, witnessing the proceedings. We were quite impressed by the speeches delivered by, among others, Representatives Mitos Magsaysay, Karlo Nograles, Danny Suarez, Manny Pacquiao, and Lani Mercado. These were delivered with clear and compelling logic. Their well-reasoned-out assertions were not contradicted at all, so it is difficult to understand why the majority still voted in favor of the bill.

Of course, while we disagree, we also give due respect to the opinions of those who voted in favor of the bill. However, as we listened to the deliberations, it became clear that their arguments were adequately addressed and convincingly refuted. Their arguments essentially centered on maternal and child health, quality of life for the poor, access to health services, and freedom. As pointed out, however:

• as to maternal and child health: these are adequately covered by existing laws as the Magna Carta for Women as well as by Department of Health programs; thus, there is no need to enact another law such as the RH bill;

• as to quality of life of the poor: the budget for condoms and contraceptives should instead be used for education and jobs; condoms and contraceptives will not get people out of poverty, but education and jobs will;

• as to access to health services: similarly, the budget intended for condoms and contraceptives should be used to build more clinics and hospitals, provide more medicines, and improve salaries of doctors, nurses and other health personnel; this is what will tremendously improve access to health services;

• as to freedom: as it is, people already have freedom ‑ condoms and contraceptives are already available;

We still re-echo these arguments notwithstanding the vote in the House of Representatives, in the hope that our legislators, especially the Senators, may take a serious and objective look at these points.

But more than the divisiveness, the greater storm of the RH bill will be its effects if finally passed into law. Just like termites that cause damage to buildings and structures often initially hidden from human sight, an RH law will, I believe, slowly but surely eat up and further erode the moral fiber of the Filipino and the Filipino nation, the moral fiber that we should be strengthening instead to bind us more strongly together as a nation.

These are then our December storms this year ‑ the devastation brought about by typhoon Pablo and the intense battle for life in the halls of Congress. Add to these such personal storms one may be experiencing, brought about by serious sickness, financial hardships, jobs that continue to be elusive, relationships that have gone sour, etc., then we understand why for some, it can become difficult feeling the Christmas spirit.

How can these storms be with us in this supposedly merriest month of the year?

However, when we reflect some more, it becomes clear that it is precisely for times like these that our Savior came, He whose birth we are about to celebrate. It is for times like these that we can hope for our Lord to make His visitation upon His people — heal our every sickness, provide for our needs, restore broken relationships, answer our hearts’ desires. It is for times like these that the God of mercy will minister to those who have lost loved ones and homes and much everything else. It is for times like these that the Savior comes to assure us of His love.

On the damage to lives and properties by typhoon Pablo, there continues to be hope. Relief goods and other assistance continue to pour in from all sources. The CFC community on the ground in Mindanao, with help from the global community, has also been doing its part without fanfare in responding to the call for help. The culture for caring and sharing has not and will not weaken. 

Even on the RH bill issue, there is hope amidst the setback in the House. For that is what it is, just a setback. The fight for life continues, regardless. The fact that it was a close vote, the fact that there were 104 valiant congressmen and women who stood firm for life notwithstanding all kinds of political pressures brought upon them, are by themselves a bright ray of hope, especially when considered against the supposedly overwhelming support of the people for the RH bill that surveys were said to show. We pray that you will continue to be steadfast in your stand.

Similarly, on a personal level, whatever be our situation, we should not lose heart even if we are in seemingly unfavorable circumstances, for there is hope — a baby born in poverty, in an animal stable, wrapped only in swaddling clothes, turns out to be our King, the King of the universe; the ignoble death on a cross of an itinerant preacher turns out to be the manner by which He overcomes death for our salvation. Thus, we can hope that with our Lord, every setback, and even defeat, will be turned to victory.

The story of December does not end with storms. December is about real hope, for this is what Christmas brings. We just need to keep the faith, and that we ourselves be faithful to Him, always, for He loves us unconditionally. It is His love for us that is ultimately the source of the Christmas spirit, not so much the lights and the carols, though these help, too. This Christmas spirit we can therefore have, freely and abundantly, even in the midst of whatever storms there may be.

(Joe Tale, a lawyer, is a member of the Couples for Christ International Council and also Executive Vice President of the Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas (Council of the Laity of the Philippines).