VENUS RAJ: IT'S ENTIRELY DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS FOR ME AND MY FAMILY
MANILA, DECEMBER 7, 2010 (STAR) MAJOR, MAJOR By Venus Raj - That's me (photo at left) in Bato, Camarines Sur, my hometown.
The December breeze signals the start of a very special occasion awaited by almost everybody- Christmas. Back in the province, we got used to celebrating this annual merriment in our own simple ways.
Children carrying their musical instruments would go from house to house singing carols and asking for a small amount of money. Many would give them coins without thinking twice while others won't even bother to open their doors for them. This is the usual signal that Christmas is fast approaching. Sometimes we do not notice the passing of days because we are busy with a lot of different things.
My mother does a lot of things to put something on our table three times a day. My eldest sister is busy looking after her five children. I would usually be away from home because of my studies. Sometimes this joyful season would just pass without any special celebration. We usually sleep on Christmas Eve so that we can have a sumptuous meal on Christmas day. This sumptuous meal would mean special pansit bihon, chicken, pikadilyong tilapia, ibos, suman and other kakanin. When we are sharing this meal together in one table, our Christmas is already complete. But every Christmas is different. Sometimes we have more food on the table while sometimes we have less. But whatever life may bring us, we never forget to thank God for giving us the reason to celebrate this very special day.
Last Christmas, I went home to Bato and spent the day with my family and other relatives. We spent the whole night singing karaoke. We had a salu-salo outside our hut located in the middle of the fields. It was a very happy day because we enjoyed each other's company. I was just aspiring to be part of the candidates of Binibining Pilipinas back then. I was away from my family for months because I had to prepare for the screening process. Christmas was the only time I was able to go home and visit my family and friends. It was a very meaningful Christmas because God showed me that I can do more things in life and that I can become a big dreamer. I had a lot of things to thank God for and I also had a lot of prayers and wishes. I prayed that I will be able to have more courage to take on a great challenge in my life and that is joining Binibining Pilipinas 2010.
I went home to Bato for the Christmas season last year. My family and I spent Christmas at a karaoke bar and, later, having salu-salo outside our hut located in the middle of the field.
A year later, I find myself writing this column for a very prestigious newspaper. Now I am the reigning Binibining Pilipinas Universe and I placed fifth during the Miss Universe 2010 pageant. I never had the slightest idea that all these things would happen to me. God is really good. He has given me more than I could ever ask for; He answered all my prayers. Sometimes I still could not believe that I am already known by many people by my first name.
Many want to take pictures with me. Even small kids recognize me and call me Venus Raj. It brings a lot of joy in my heart that I have somehow become part of the lives of many Filipinos. I may not be able to go to malls and watch movies without putting a good disguise but I am very thankful that many people are eager to know me better. Everything that happened to me, from my rise, to my fall and to my rise again, will create a difference on how I will celebrate my Christmas this year. I know it will be a better and happier one.
I am planning to bring my whole family here in Manila so that we can experience an entirely different Christmas. We will just have a simple party at my place. I am hoping to make my nephews and nieces happy by letting them open their gifts. This is one thing I never experienced as a child so I want them all to feel how exciting it is to receive a gift during Christmas. I have my positive thoughts to thank for giving me more fruitful seasons to celebrate. Every mistake considered as a challenge has made me looking forward to a brighter and happier Christmas.
Let us all share our blessings this Christmas and make more people happy by also being blessings to them.
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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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