The Pressure on Filipinos that Nobody Talks About Christmas

It's the most wonderful time of the year! That's what we all like to think, but for many Filipino families, there is an invisible pressure that comes with Christmas. In a recent Filipino Bisaya podcast episode from Barok and Takya, this unspoken pressure was discussed by these two Pinoy podcast hosts. Let's explore why so many Filipinos feel overwhelmed during the holiday season, from Ninong and Ninang (Godparents) to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs or OFW Pinoy). 

 

The Challenges Faced by Ninong and Ninang (Godparents) During Christmas 

 

Barok said that for many Filipino families, it is customary for godparents (Ninong and Ninang) to give gifts to their godchildren on special occasions such as birthdays or even Christmas. Unfortunately, this custom has placed a lot of financial pressure on many godparents who struggle financially themselves but still feel obligated to give gifts or offer financial support in other ways. To make matters worse, there is a perception of shame if godparents do not fulfill these obligations, leaving them even more stressed.  

 

The Challenges Faced by OFWs During Christmas 

 

On top of that, according to Takya, many OFW Pinoy struggles to send money back home during the holidays as they are already working hard to provide for their immediate family's needs. Therefore, they must prioritize appropriately and make tough decisions when it comes to who gets the money first - their family members or extended family members. This often results in guilt, stress, and anxiety among OFWs as they try to make sure everyone is taken care of during this special time of year. 

 

 

Conclusion: 

 

As you can hear from just this brief discussion between Barok and Takya, there is much more going on behind the scenes than meets the eye when it comes to Christmas in the Philippines. It's important that we continue having conversations like these to gain insight into how our fellow Filipinos feel during this special time of year. Christmas may be filled with joy for many people. Still, it can also be a stressful period for those who are struggling financially or physically unable to be with their families due to work commitments overseas or other reasons. We should all take a moment this holiday season to acknowledge the difficulties faced by our fellow Filipinos both at home and abroad so that we can better understand how we can come together as one community in spite of our differences. Let us strive towards creating an environment where everyone feels supported regardless of their circumstances - that way, and we can all enjoy the true spirit of Christmas together! Maayong Pasko bayan!!!

 

 

We appreciate you taking the time to listen to our Filipino Pinoy podcast in the Cebuano language. We hope that through our episodes of the Barok and Takya Bisaya Podcast, you were able to learn more about Filipino culture. We are on a journey to learn more about ourselves, and we invite you to follow us along as we continue to explore what it means to be Filipino. Please subscribe to our Youtube channel - Bisaya Podcast, so you can join us in this movement of promoting Filipino culture and pride. We appreciate your support, Bayan!