1st 'Ber' month signals X'mas is near

The "ber" season is off the starting blocks as Filipinos join the rest of the world in counting 111 more days to Christmas.

The Christmas "feel" is all the more amplified by the cold breeze, one of Mother Nature's harbingers of the Yuletide season.

With 30 days this September, 31 days in October, 30 days in November, and 24 days before Christmas, Filipinos remain optimistic that this year is going to be merry Christmas -- despite the gunfire in the South and the boiling pot of politics.

"It will be a wonderful Christmas after all. With a strong peso, our economy is doing good," Andrew Li, a businessman said.

Li, said that the robust economy will encourage traders to do business towards the end of the year, especially during the holiday season. "It also means more jobs for the people."

The busiest places in the last quarter of the year are the malls and department stores.

As the holiday season approaches, malls and restaurants prepare to spruce up their display windows with holiday themes, adorning Christmas trees with lights, balls and flowers.

Malls and shops also offer more promos and discounts to attract customers. In most cases, stores and shops extend their working hours to accommodate last-minute shoppers.

Emjay Antonio, who works for a fastfood chain, said: "Stores usually come up with holiday promos. It could be toys, food, or any memorabilia from a box-office movie."

Bazaars, tiangges (flea markets), and "ukay-ukay" stores which sell cheaper items are also expected to mushroom on busy sidewalks.

Leony, 59, who sells cigarettes and candies on the sidewalk, said she is still looking forward to celebrating the holidays in spite of the biting poverty.

"Marami pa ring mababait na tao sa mundo. Minsan magugulat ka na lang bigla ka na lang nila aabutan ng pera o pagkain lalo na pag Pasko. Minsan mga groceries at damit. Kaya kahit papaano, maganda rin naman Pasko namin. 'Yun naman talaga ang ibig sabihin ng Pasko, magbigayan," Leony said.

With the usual long vacation in December, the people also look forward to reunions and get-together with families and friends.

And with the holidays just around the corner, expect traffic jams, particularly in November and December, as people rush to shops, parties, and other holidayrelated activities.

Church officials have already reminded the faithful about the true meaning of Christmas. "It's not all about shopping, new clothes, and vacation. It's about welcoming Christ in our hearts."