Christmas with the Panginens

Laur is a small municipality northeast of Cabanatuan city, the capital of Nueva Ecija, the rice bowl of the Philippines. It is a small quaint town almost surrounded by rice fields if not for some rivers and mountains. It used to be the home of fort Magsaysay where former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and Jose Diokno were imprisoned for a short period of time during the martial law. And, Oh! Before I forget, this is my home, my sanctuary.

I have always returned there come Christmas season, or any vacation for that matter, since I was little. Riding home, I saw hectares and hectares of green rice fields, a sight to actually marvel. Tall, shady trees line the free road along this rice fields, swaying as the wind touches them. The feeling of seeing nature in its simplicity brings peace of mind. The cool breeze of air during an hour’s ride from Cabanatuan is more than enough to make anyone feel one with nature. It is like every pressure, every worry, and every problem is wiped by the serenity of the place.

I always celebrate Christmas with the whole Panginen family, from my mother’s side. Every year, without miss, Laur is where our Christmas is celebrated. It was nothing grand. A serving of macaroni salad, bundles of lumpia, and a few trays of leche flan are all that’s served. Not even ham, the embodiment of Christmas food, was present. Some of us were not even eating and none of us were sitting near the table. There were also no presents under the Christmas tree. There was nothing for us to open up. Even I wouldn’t classify it as a Noche Buena. Rather, it was more of a get together with food like it was always done years and years back. Talking about random things, telling different stories while enjoying the fresh night air of the Christmas day approaching on the porch of the house, that’s how the Panginen family celebrates the season.

Back when I was younger, I’d always wonder why we always never actually celebrate Christmas the way other families do. I used to envy watching TV commercials with families drinking coke with servings of ham, fruit salad, a few more desserts, or even the occasional lechon. They just seem so happy sitting and eating on their round table before they start opening their gifts for each other under the Christmas tree. Perhaps, I wasn’t sure what Christmas should be like. Growing up however, I figured that we are indeed celebrating Christmas in a beautiful way. It may not be one for commercials or stories, but this season brings us closer together as a family, and that is what Christmas is supposed to do.