Jingle Bells

“Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way…”

“Pasko na naman, o kay tulin ng araw…” (hindi po ito translation ng Jingle bells, lol)

These are what we usually hear the carolers sing. Happy songs, they almost invite the listeners to join in the fun, making us remember that Christmas is near.

Masaya, kaiga-igaya and nagpapa-alala sa atin na malapit na ang Pasko.

Last weekend when we went to The Fort, we saw several wonderfully dressed and happy people singing carols and greeting people “Merry Christmas” It sure felt great to see them.

Nung isang linggong napadpad kami sa The Fort nakakita kami ng mga taong me magagarang damit. Sila ay masasaya at nagbigay ng ngiti sa mga labi ng mga taong kanilang binabati ng kanilang American accent na “Merry Chirstmas!”

Ayan, medyo nahiya pa ang aking unico hijo, napilitan yatang ngumiti 😀

There are my two younger children with Julian a bit apprehensive.

But do you know that there is another face to this happy caroling?

Alam nyo ba na may ibang mukha ang pagkakaroling na ito?

Is this the face of poverty or exploitation? I don’t think the children would want to risk their life and limbs (on a rainy day!) to be able to earn a few pesos, if they were not directed to do so.

Ito ba ay mukha ng kahirapan o ng eksploytasyon? Gusto nga kaya ng mga batang gawin ito para kumita ng konting salapi kung hindi sila sinabihan na gawin ito?

Should we give in and give them money not knowing if the amount will benefit this child and her family or the syndicate running the operation?

Magbibigay ba tayo ng konting halaga na hindi natin alam kung mapupunta ba ito sa bata at sa kanyang pamilya o sa sindikatong humahawak sa kanila?

Merry nga ba kaya ang Christmas nila sa kanilang kalagayan?