No Crisis No Love On Christmas -- December 28, 2008

In my almost 20 years in the US, this year marked the worst economic and housing crisis that has affected not only native born Americans but mostly immigrants.There are many problem cases that are brought about indirectly by the economic crisis. The stress level of many immigrants about to lose their status, their jobs and their homes is very high. In the last few weeks, we have seen a different Christmas preparation which was not as joyous as in past years. All these are signs of the times. As an immigration law practitioner, we hold steadfast to our profession, be updated and mindful of evolving changes in legislation to make sure that our clients are afforded competent legal service. Unfortunately, the economic crisis in the US has also resulted in an emotional crisis to many clients that it is hard to ignore as we sympathize with their predicaments.My family spends Christmas in the Philippines every other year. This Christmas is the year where we have to spend the holidays here. My two daughters, ages 17 and 10, have been looking forward to their holiday vacation. I have to admit that I intended to cancel this vacation but decided to come for fear of frustrating my daughters.To their delight, I announced to my daughters that we would have a two week trip including stays at Boracay and my hometown of Angeles City, Pampanga.During this trip, I was determined not to think about problems in San Francisco. Though, I am not indifferent to what is going on, I turned my work mode to vacation mode a day before we left.I was happy to be with my family and to be away temporarily from a stressful environment and from the crisis. I informed my youngest daughter that I will try my best not think about the predicament of the immigrants and not to worry about work during our vacation. This was our bonding time.On the next day after our arrival, I called on our masseuse. As I was being massaged, she started asking me questions about migrating to the US. While I was enjoying the massage, I explained to her the many challenges of migrating in the US. The chance of obtaining visas based on employment petition is still dependent on the US economy. Without realizing it, as I was explaining the situation, my vacation mode turned into work mode.On Christmas Eve, my eldest daughter asked that we listen to live band along the beach shore as we wait to celebrate Christmas at midnight. After dinner, we proceeded to one of the places that had a live band playing. It was relaxing to listen to good music and Christmas carols until the singer played a modified version of the Sting’s Englishman in New York. The lyrics were changed to “I am an alien, an illegal alien (instead of a legal alien)”. My eldest daughter looked at me and was laughing as she saw my facial expression. Sure, that moment, the vacation mode was switched off again. I was reminded of the undocumented aliens in the US and the chances of legalization under the Obama administration.After attending an early Christmas mass, my family decided on two different activities. My husband and my youngest daughter went skim boarding. My eldest 17 years old carrying her Nikon camera said that she wanted to observe how local children celebrate their Christmas Day. I went with her to the Aeta community in Bolabog, Boracay.As we reached Bolabog, we were led into a community of Aetas(“ates”). There were at least 15 huts in the area and more than 20 families. I spoke with Sister Clara, a nun from the Sisters of Charity. She referred me to Delsa, 48 years old, “Kapitana” of the group I interviewed Delsa generally about life and she said that they are “fine” and do not face real problems except their land. She said that she was a fifth generation Aeta and that the ‘Bisaya’(referring to non Aeta) took title to their land. “We are still hoping that someday, we will have titles to our land. All these belong to my ancestors,” she claimed.While I was speaking to Delsa, my eldest daughter was taking picture and giving out lollipops she bought from a nearby store. More than 20 children approached her and were smiling at her as she points her camera at them. Both of us experienced a warmth feeling as they welcome us in their community.Their lives are so simple. They are content enough to be able eat three meals a day and to have a roof on top of their heads. The children were just playing, running and having fun.When I asked each child what they wished for Christmas, most of the girls mentioned ‘Barbie” dolls and the boys wanted toy “trucks” they call “amatrac”. From my perspective, they need also clothing because most of them were not wearing any. The Kapitana said not to bother about clothing as it is an accepted way of living for them to not have clothes because of the weather.After one hour of interacting with the members of the Aeta community, I met with the Sister Clara again and thanked her for the hospitality. We gave a simple donation.I did not feel that my goal was accomplished without fulfilling the wishes of the children. I told Sister Clara, that from San Francisco CA, we will be sending a box of toys for the children. My daughter was silent as we left the community until she said to me that she will take responsibility for putting together the box of toys to be sent to the indigenous community.Christmas WishesDepending perhaps on what station in life we are in, our wishes for the holiday varies. With the financial crisis that we are all facing in the US, the worst can only happen. The immigrant fears of losing their houses and their jobs have become the American nightmare that has taken its toll on many who are residing in the US. This Christmas, our wish is that hope and change be effected by the Obama Administration and that slowly the infrastructure be rebuilt and that confidence be restored. For ourselves, I only have to look at it from the perspective of the Kapitana. She said that she did not have the luxury of a beautiful house or nice clothes, but she has her family together. “It is my birthday today which is Christmas day and my wish is to continue to have love and understanding in my family. That’s all”, said Kapitana.So here goes my Christmas story. Despite the crisis, whether or not there is economic stimulus package, what is important is the stimulus within our hearts to reach out and touch the lives our loved ones, the closest persons we have to shield from all these trials. It is time to do a “family stimulus package” and fill it with love, patience and understanding. Perhaps, this is our New Year’s hope.