Despite being miles away from the Philippines, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the UAE are bringing with them the traditions and festivities celebrating Christmas as early as September.
One of the key customs that distinguish Christmas in the Philippines from other nations’ festivities is the “Ber months” countdown, which takes place from September to December. The excitement surrounding the “Ber” months, according to sociologist Clifford Sorita, a former seminarian with the Society of the Divine Word, is tied to the impending arrival of OFWs back to the country.
The “Ber” months, according to Sorita, serve as “a psychological time clock for most Filipinos to plan” a jam-packed Christmas calendar with family and friends. BALIKBAYAN BOX SURGE For one, they are now planning and preparing their purchases for their balikbayan boxes to make sure it arrives just in time for the Holiday season.
Gift giving, according to Pinay OFW Gillian Armilla who is based in Dubai, is one of the many special ways she extends her love to her family in the Philippines during the holiday season. Gadgets and canned goods that are not readily available in the country are on top of her list of purchases for the box that she’s about to send to her family in the coming months.
“Gusto ko kahit wala ako doon, maramdaman pa rin nila na mahal ko sila. As early as now, maganda nang mamili kasi matagal pa at minsan may delay pa bago makarating doon,” said Armilla who hails from Pasig City.
As ticket prices remain at an all-time high, lots of Filipinos say that it would be more practical to push back their plans to head home. Instead, many of them opted to double up on their cargo boxes instead.
For his part, Sam Nerona, an OFW who works in the events industry, said that given the chance, he would love to go home and spend Christmas with his family. But given the fact that their job is busiest during -ber months, he has come to a resolve that he is content with sending them a balikbayan box to make them feel his presence.
“Masaya ako kasi first time ko magpapadala ng box. Mas masaya sana kung makakauwi ako pero for now, ito na lang muna,” said Nerona.
Balikbayan box cargo company JRS Express said that they are expecting a surge of customers in the next coming months. In preparation for the -ber months, they are now extending their working hours to be able answer our customer’s inquiries and are now adding up manpower to cater to pick-up and delivery requests.
“As Filipinos, we grew up in a culture of sharing is caring, gift giving, sharing the blessings, and specifically Christmas is one of the special occasions we look forward to. OFWs send their balikbayan boxes to Philippines, so their family back there could feel their love and presence. A single smile from their family makes the OFW happy,” said Ann Gellie Mamangun, JRS General Manager.
A common forecast from cargo forwarders this -ber months shows that delivery of boxes to the Philippines from the Middle East to Metro Manila via sea cargo can take up to 90 days considering the ongoing worldwide port congestion. Meanwhile, air cargo deliveries can take up to 14-30 days.
Outside Metro Manila deliveries are expected to take longer. LBC Express encourages Pinoy OFWs in the Middle East to send boxes as early as this month to make sure they reach Philippines in time for the Christmas season.
“We have been gearing up for the holidays since last month and we anticipate the same volume of boxes being sent to the Philippines this peak season. Though we’ve seen air cargo slowly gaining preference for urgent and smaller parcels, this doesn’t stop regular customers to still send their hard-earned big care boxes.
After all, the items being sent are not just considered gifts, but also essentials for their home such as groceries and toiletries, or for their children’s education such as laptops, tablets and mobile phones. This is also why we launched LBC Merry Delivery Campaign to encourage early sending of holiday boxes while getting the best shipping rates and a chance to win over PhP2.5Million worth of prizes for every box they send.
While admittedly we’ve witnessed longer lead time and sailing days all over the world due to challenges in the logistics and global supply chain related to port congestion and unavailability of vessels, LBC being the biggest logistics provider in the Philippines, continue to be in the forefront of finding ways to move these balikbayan boxes through our strong network back home at the soonest possible time and offering the best value offers whether for sea or air cargo,” said Allan Michael Bautista, Sales & Marketing Manager, Middle East Operations at LBC Express Inc.
Festive flat decorations
Another thing that OFWs love to prepare during the early -ber months is putting up Christmas decors. They say it’s a way to make them feel like they are not far away from home.
Lorgie Vergara Asaad who has been living in UAE since 2006 shared that she looks forward to unleashing her creative side and decorating her home.
But more that the décor and gift giving, Asaad said that after going through a tough past year, OFWs must focus this -ber months on how blessed we are for making it through the pandemic.
“If people talk about how privileged they are, I believe I should be more thankful and grateful to God for keeping me alive to see another promising year. It is good to appreciate the importance of those that have touched our lives in one way or another. We should be grateful to those that have been there for us all through the adversities and challenges. Without these remarkable people, dreams would have been complicated to achieve, and to give up would have likely been the option, but here I am with all the support and love from my loving family and dear friends,” said Asaad.
’BEING WITH FAMILY’
For other OFWs, the best part of knowing that it is -ber months is the fact that it will only be a matter of time ‘til they go home and be with their families. Don who is from Olongapo, said that he makes sure to take his annual leave every December, so he gets to be part of the memorable holiday season with his children aged 13 and 10. “Bilang tatay, para sa akin mahalaga na kasama nila ako tuwing Pasko. Malungkot malayo sa kanila buong taon. Sabi ko sa sarili ko dapat yung ganung mahalagang celebration, andun ako,” said Don.
Meanwhile, Flor who works as a teacher assistant in Dubai said that teaching other children makes her miss her own especially during the -ber months.
“Ramdam mo na masaya ang pamilya makasama ka di lang dahil sa gifts na maaari nila ma receive galing sayo, sa festive food na ma e-enjoy nyo together, sa Christmas decors na mag kakaroon kayo ng family photo shoots, sa mga masasaya at nakakatuwang parlor games, magdamagang videoke at higit sa lahat yung sama sama kayo mag sisimba para sa pasasalamat at pag celebrate ng birthday ni Jesus. Mararamdaman mong masaya sila andyan yung presence mo, sa mahigpit at mainit na yakap nila, matamis na kisses, maliwanag ang mga mata nila, makikita mo yung ngiti nila at maririnig mo yung mga malalakas na tawanan. Iba kapag nasa tabi nyo isa’t isa at ma hug and greet sila ng “Merry Christmas!” Masaya sa puso,” said Flor.
Other OFWs on the hand, wish to bring their relatives here in the UAE to let them experience and see Dubai in person. “We are planning to bring my mom here in Dubai so she can experience the winter in the desert at the same time it will our birthday gift for her,” said Dannah Magno who has been in UAE for three years and is originally from Nueva Ecija.
TRAVELLING BACK HOME
Several fortunate Filipinos from the UAE have long waited to head back home especially after two years of tightened restrictions. Now that travel has been easier to and from the Philippines, several OFWs have been booking their tickets.
Two major airlines in the Philippines said that they are looking forward to offering the best affordable rates for Filipinos this -ber months. The ease in travel restrictions this year will be a major contributing factor in the number of Filipinos who will be traveling home this year. “Coming back to the Philippines has been made more convenient for fully vaccinated individual, as they no longer need to quarantine upon arrival,” said Carmina Romero, Corporate Communications Director of Cebu Pacific.
Romero said air fare in the next coming months will fluctuate depending on fuel prices and other global economic factors. “We are approaching lean months, but airfare is dependent on fuel prices. If we assume same level of fuel prices, yes, relatively lower fares in the coming months until travel will peak again by December. Amidst the risks posed by expensive jet fuel, peso depreciation and interest rate hikes, CEB remains committed to fulfilling its core purpose to provide affordable and accessible travel for all with our trademark ‘piso’ and low fares,” said Romero.
Philippine Airlines Spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said that they will continue to monitor global fuel prices to help make travel more budget-friendly for Filipinos during the -ber months.
“We are determined to continue offering affordable air fares that help power the recovery in air travel and tourist flows. At the same time, we continue to monitor aviation fuel prices very closely along with other global conditions that affect air fare levels,” stated Villaluna.
‘GEARING UP FOR SIMBANG GABI’
The Filipino Community of St. Mary’s are also gearing up for the series of church events in preparation for the festive occasion. Bro. Policarpio Pinaja, the Filipino Community Coordinator of St. Mary’ Church said that they will be holding events which are open to all Filipinos.
“Before Simbang Gabi, nagkakaroon tayo ng retreat this coming October 11-15. During the event, there will be a lot of activities specifically to prepare us spiritually for the upcoming Christmas celebration,” said Pinaja.
The prayer retreat will also include a confession session and will be spearheaded by Fr. Dave Concepcion who will be coming all the way from Sta. Maria Goretti Parish, Manila. Currently, they have begun the screening process and orientation for individuals who will be part of their auxiliary team for the Christmas season.
Pinaja said that they are calling for volunteers who will serve as lay ministers and safety officers for the expected influx of devotees in this year’s Simbang Gabi. Those who are interested can connect with them by visiting the St. Mary’s church.
