00:00It doesn't have to be a grand celebration, as long as the family is there.
00:05But for ordinary Filipinos, what is the true meaning of Christmas to them?
00:10Denise Osorio reports.
00:15Everyone is looking forward to Noche Buena for Christmas.
00:18Some are already at their homes, with their families, while waiting for their loved ones.
00:24But some of our fellow Filipinos have a bad feeling about the celebration of Christmas.
00:29Just like the Surigao woman, Belen Lopez.
00:32Only her friends and other children will be with her this Christmas.
00:36She has not been with her family for two decades for the celebration of Christmas,
00:40so that she can celebrate in Manila.
00:42I am happy and sad because we are separated from our children.
00:46We are separated from our mothers.
00:50I have a disease that I don't know how to treat.
00:56I don't know how to treat it.
01:00Ramon Torres is also sad because his children are working far away.
01:05Christmas is like getting together and spending time.
01:10And we usually go to church together.
01:13And after that, it's all fun.
01:16It's like having a great reunion.
01:19I don't see them regularly, actually.
01:21Especially my eldest, she works a lot.
01:24She's a baby now.
01:26Even though there are hardships, there is one thing that is certain.
01:29They will continue to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
01:32Christmas is so special to us. It's a birthmark, Lord.
01:35It's important because it's the day of God.
01:38It's the day of our Father's Son.
01:41Family, friends, and the birth of Jesus Christ are the importance of Christmas.
01:47It doesn't matter if you are rich or poor.
01:49What's important is that everyone loves and gives to each other this Christmas.
01:55That is the true gift.
01:57Denise Osorio for Pambansang TV in Bagong, Philippines.
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