Experiencing the unexpected dark Christmas.

Thinking about last month when almost everything is set to celebrate Christmas but turn our place dark and made us all saddened.

When I share about Christmas for those who are following some of my content I always share about the happy moments that I experience during the Christmas season. But this Christmas is a lot different. As we know that we are hit by a typhoon last December 16, 2021, and it was so destructive especially in the southern part of Cebu, Philippines.

Later in the morning, everything was so visible in our eyes that most of our houses, plants and some of our animals like chickens didn't make it. It was so disastrous that we don't know when we can fully recover from all of this. Until now, only a few have their electricity back and most of us are left homeless.

In the following days, people are busy collecting reusable items and most are panicked. Lines from the water stations, charging stations and gasoline stations are the busiest. I even experienced lining at 2 am just to have gas but it was a failure. At 9 am the station announced that only a few litters of gasoline were left and they will only serve for those who got the priority number given yesterday that day.

This photo was taken while we are waiting for the crazy line starting at 2 am. We decided to take some snacks with (puto Maya) sweetened sticky rice and (sikwati) hot drinks made with cacao seeds that are mostly served every church day, especially for night mass. It was so dark that they use candles and Diy lights only made with salt and oil.

This was the situation in the morning, vehicles are lined up but the people are waiting near the gas station and some are even smoking near dangerously. We are staying from the distance waiting for a miracle to happen but nothing happens so we went home past 9 very tired.

Until Christmas Day came

I always want to celebrate by giving something to children around us when I still have a job. I've been doing this for a couple of years already so even we are in a trying time I manage to wrap simple gifts for the children to be happy at least.

Inside the gifts is a piece of goods and chocolates that surely the kids will love.

The day before Christmas eve. I cook food for the family-like spaghetti and fruit salad with coke to share on Christmas Eve and unfortunately, it's been the first time to eaten and drink that food warm and celebrated Christmas in the dark because of no electricity. Most of us are asleep during the celebration but some admire the fireworks display that can be seen clearly in the sky.

We are all dependent on this DIY light made from used oil, salt, cotton and a tin can until help was sent by my hive friends. Personally, they give me a solar light that now makes the house brighter.

What makes me appreciate this dark day is that most of us can star gazing at night and can feel the calmness of the evening and when the electric power is back most of us will forget to look up again often.

I know it sounds awkward to celebrate regardless of what happened but I think it's worth celebrating for being alive after all as long as we have the life we always have hope and this will remain a memory forever but a lesson that will make us stronger and be ready next time.

As of today, we are slowly getting up and life is getting normal and a big thank you to the people who give their help. Hopefully, by the following days, we can have the electricity back and pray that there will be no more dark Christmas again.