Christmas has always been well celebrated and much -awaited in my native country- the Philippines.Decorations usually starts as soon as the "ber" months;it could be as early as September or October. You can almost smell the christmas spirit everywhere - from the sidewalk -vendors dragging along the streets, the malls and the houses all over.It is the season where everyone took advantage to celebrate and to observe family reunions, friends get away, school and office parties and even reconciliations. It is the best season for generosity... as kids look forward for new toys, new shoes and dress to wear while bragging and comparing with their playmates,gifts expected from parents, relatives and godparents.Workers receive an extra paid holiday leave aside from the mandatory 13th month pay- employees get a portion or a total month salary depending on the years or months they've been working on their present company.In the Philippines, we have the famous "parol" or christmas lanterns hanging in every house rich or poor - it is the symbol of Philippine christmas. We also have the night or early dawn mass- a Catholic mass which typically starts on the night or early dawn of December 16 and end on christmas eve.While attending this special mass people get to enjoy the food merchants sell at the church- rice cake, rice flour, and the hot ginger tea. One's innate craving for food will surely be gratified comes christmas feast! the famous roast pig, sweet delicacies will be served for the guest. I believe no crisis will ever stop this ultimate tradition, it may vary from time to time but never will it cease.