After Christmas Mass (The Crowds We Miss Pt. 2)

They say spending December in the Philippines means experiencing ‘Christmas on steroids’. Preparations, festivities, and even carols in the malls begin before the “-ber” months. But I do remember a warmth and magic beyond the capitalist glow, when as a child we’d fly back to Manila every other year from HK, to be with family. The dawn and midnight masses, handmade ‘parol’ lanterns being sold streetside, and of course, always a mad rush of people hurrying to relatives’ houses for special meals – this is home to me in its most heightened sense.