by Alex Roldan
Just a few days left before Christmas! Yesterday, I went to a mall and it seems that almost everybody is busy shopping, either for gifts or to overflow their tables with food for noche buena.
The malls are clearly enticing each customer to make a feast. They arrange their displays to heighten the people’s urge for a sumptuous celebration to the accompaniment of piped-in Christmas carols that enliven the mood of the would-be customers to come marching in.
But, the best thing during Christmas is the gift giving. Nowadays, face towels or a wallet in a box neatly wrapped with beautifully printed papers and tied with colorful ribbons is no longer common. China-made products placed inside a bag is the new mode. Maybe, because China-made products are cheaper. . . and the bags, of course, are cheap and practical, no need to wrap the gifts. Still, nobody minds it at all. What really counts is that everybody is happy to celebrate the season and the gift-giving tradition continues.
The gift giving during Christmas is a tradition that can be traced to the first Christmas itself – where the three kings offered gifts to the infant Jesus in the manger. It is an important symbolism of our faith, that teaches us to share our blessings.
But let us not forget that Christmas is not just about noche buena and gift giving. Material things are not the basis of happiness, but it is our relationship with the people around us — the family, relatives, friends and community. It is through them that you see God’s love for us. They are God’s gifts to us.
-oOo-
Finally, though with clear reservations, a judge is finally chosen to handle the controversial cases involving a powerful clan in Central Mindanao — the Ampatuans.
It is understandable why Judges are hesitant to handle cases of this nature for the simple reason of personal and family’s safety. Who would not consider abandoning their oaths after learning that all judges and prosecutors in Central Mindanao suddenly went on mass leave to avoid being assigned to handle the case? That action certainly aggravated the feeling of concern among all other members of the judiciary.
The judge who is finally assigned to the case, is a woman. I was excited to hear the news. Not that I do not want that a male judge is assigned, but in Moro societies by tradition, women play a secondary role and are often wary not to offend any religious and moral sensitivities. They even avoid asking questions that would need them to pass judgment. But, in this case a woman judge is going to try and make decisions on the fate of personalities who are considered patriarchs or rulers of their clan, thus infallible by tradition.
This may create a stir in a male dominated society where the accused come from, but, they are within the Philippine territory and therefore subject to our laws and judicial traditions.
More importantly, in an unyielding situation, women are more dependable than men in making decisions. Ask your mother!
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