Christmas is a time for sharing, so I decided to invite a few friends, who are leading personalities in the Tourism Industry, to share my column and send you their Yuletide Greetings to help perk up the Season.
Here are their meaningful and sincere messages:
Benito Bengzon, Jr.
Undersecretary, Tourism Development
Department of Tourism
The yuletide season is a time when we turn to our families and loved ones for happy memories and reminiscing. It evokes the longing to come home. It is a beautiful reminder that no matter how far we may have reached, however long a time we may have been gone, and whatever successes we may have achieved, we will always, always, come home.
But most importantly, Christmas is the season to express our gratitude for all the blessings we have received this year. The true meaning of the season is certainly not seen in those fancy decors, expensive gifts or overflowing feasts – it is instead felt through those little acts of humanity. The real essence of Christmas is to open ourselves and our homes to others.
On behalf of the Department of Tourism, I wish you all the merriest Christmas and happiest holidays! Let us rejoice in the opportunities to reunite with our kin and friends. Let our guests feel the warmest welcome and have them experience Filipino Christmas that we deem more heartfelt, more real, and definitely more fun.
Mabuhay!
Narzalina Lim
Former Secretary
Department of Tourism
This has been a difficult year for humankind, with terrorist attacks demonstrating man’s inhumanity to man; millions of refugees dying as they seek new homes, away from the terror of theirs; people displaced from their communities by extreme weather disturbances; war; injustice; and unimaginable hatred.
Christmas is always a time for reflection about what is important to each of us. It is also a time of hope. This Christmas, as we reflect on the birth of our Savior – He who became man to save us – we pray that we do not give in to despair but instead to trust that love, prayers, kindness, and empathy for the suffering of others will triumph over hatred.
Marilen Sandejas
President and CEO, Baron Travel
Past two-term president, Philippine Travel Agencies Association
Christmas is the Season of Love, no matter how you look at it. Love for others, love for self, and most of all, love for Our Creator. It’s the season to show how much love we have in our hearts and in our lives. Let’s show off Our Lord’s beautiful creation in ourselves by being kind and generous to others. By living our lives as Christ taught us, we will manifest how much love our Lord has for all His creatures. Merry Christmas, everyone!
Mina Gabor
Former Secretary
Department of Tourism
While domestic tourism is on the rise and is helping in the sharing of wealth – I hope tourism development will not be dominated by developers seeking quick returns at the expense of the environment and the community.
My Christmas wish is for tourism development to begin with one’s immersion of the site so development will be in harmony with nature and for the benefit of the community.
The local community must know everything about their people, place, history, event, food and produce. Only then can a people truly say they are ready for tourism. Meantime, a very Merry Christmas, everyone!
Atty. Roberto P, Laurel
President, Lyceum of the Philippines University
2015 Mabuhay Gold Awardee
Christmas is the quintessential holiday of hospitality. In Christendom, it is a celebration of God’s dwelling among people. The key characters in the nativity story – despite the irony of divinity being born in a lowly manger –are the shepherds and the magi, representing a broad variety of humanity who welcomed the Christ child. Even among people who belong to other religious traditions, the Christmas season has become a cultural occasion for gathering together to celebrate being at home with one another.
And so, as we prepare to celebrate this grand feast, may we see how the twinkling lights are visual echoes of that first night when the world welcomed God in its midst. And when we unwrap our presents, what gets revealed is the wonderful present: that we are in each other’s lives and that we wish to care for one another by making each other feel at home.
Happy holidays!
