Christmas tradition - caroling

For those living abroad, I'm sure you are missing the caroling activities of children that officially starts on December 16. We are fully prepared this early with lots of candies and snack foods like chips and biscuits to be given to the carolers. But we still have to go to the bank for the needed coins. Children would be knocking on our gate with their songs. Unlike before when children have those homemade musical instruments, I rarely see carolers with that anymore. They just sing with their voices, unmindful of the tune and the lyrics because they are only focused on us if we are going to give them something or not.

I remember when I was younger, I used to participate in these caroling activities every Christmas season. My friends and I would walk around the neighborhood, and sing our hearts out to Christmas songs, hoping the people insider their homes would be moved, and give us candies, or even coins. Good old memories. I really miss those happy days.

That's sad that carollers just sing for the sake of getting money or any goodies and do not really sing well anymore. My sister and cousins used to do caroling and they even practiced in front of us to make sure they were doing it right. They gave it their best shot. My cousins who were all good singers would even sing with their choir. There were more sophisticated musical instruments. Bu the good thing is the preparation and effort they put into it. That's the kind of caroling I miss in our country.

Caroling officially starts on December 16 and we abide with that tradition. Last Saturday there were 2 groups who came to sing but we said they just come back on Wednesday the 16th. After that, there were no more carolers and probably they already know that we do not give on earlier nights. Unfortunately, it is raining today and probably tomorrow, Wednesday, there will be no carolers because of the bad weather. There is storm Nona ravaging the southern Luzon area and would last a day or two.

In fairness to us, we are already prepared with the coins and new paper bills plus the candies and treats for the carolers.

Caroling seems to be a dying art. I rarely see carolers nowadays. I remember caroling as a child, but today it seems like everyone is terrified of not being politically correct. I feel as if someone could easily become offended by carolers, claiming that they are pushing their beliefs onto others, regardless of what their singing. Many carols involve Christ and Christian beliefs. I could see this being a big reason as to why caroling has dwindled during the holiday season. Thankfully, we still have the Christmas music playing throughout the stores during the holiday season.

Caroling during the Christmas season is a long time tradition in the Philippines, not only in the rural but also in the urban areas. You can see children in the streets singing carols to the motorists during a traffic stop. For some coins, those children are endangering their lives. But in fairness to the carolers, this caroling is one tradition that our country is proud of because it is purely a fun activity since it is all right to give coins only to the carolers. And in this modern times, candies are also given and selfies are common.