MERRY CHRISTMAS 2011

                                                  

Didn't get to send most of my Christmas cards this year ... understandably because of the  calamity which hit Cagayan de Oro owing to Typhoon Sendong.  The deadly floods which hit the city on the second day of SIMBANG GABI dumped a sad and gloomy flavor to this year's celebration of Christmas.  Adding dreariness to the staggering number of deaths is the fact that in a small city as Cagayan de Oro, everyone knows each other.  People remember personally at least 2 or 3 who perished in the floods.  Amid the still ongoing chaos, one hears amazing stories of how people survived ... of how the storm caught everyone by surprise coming like a thief in the night ... of how a calamity distinguishes not between statuses in life ... of how people deeply prayed while on top of their roofs ... and of how real the experience was for everyone ... for indeed being saved.  The gift received this Christmas for most people in Cagayan de Oro ... is simply the gift and joy of life.  The city celebrates Christmas this year amid real chaos and sincere thanksgiving for the most evident and endless opportunities given everyone to reach out and be of help to a neighbor.  What a gift indeed we in Cagayan de Oro experience nowadays .... here, this year ... during the Yuletide season in Cagayan de Oro ... and yes ... nothwithstanding the chaos.   The star of the east ... indeed shines brightly ... constantly dispelling hopelessness and traces darkness.