Hola!

Can you feel the Christmas air? Well, 25 December is just around the corner, but for some people Christmas kicked off as soon as the “ber” months kicked in.

Not everyone is the same this festive season. For some, the commercialization of Christmas brings pressure to conform to societal expectations and a reminder of what people lack on the table. Do you feel it? I do not want to sound like the Grinch, but we’re talking about the reality here.

Millions of Filipinos share a diverse experience this season ranging from personal struggles to the feeling of emptiness — physically or emotionally. Behind the twinkling lights and the holiday carols, there are those who struggle to feel the spirit of Christmas. While Christmas can be festive, it can also be a time to experience “holiday fatigue” from the economic struggles, overwhelming responsibilities, natural disasters, and loss of a loved one. This season can leave people exhausted and pressured.

Before December, several consecutive super typhoons hit the country, leaving thousands of our countrymen ransacked of their livelihood and homes. The aftermath of natural tragedies can leave communities focusing on survival rather than celebration.

Right before Christmas, the Department of Migrant Workers disclosed that 44 Filipinos abroad were facing the death penalty. This year, companies switching to job automation and the rise of AI have led to the displacement of workers, forcing people to learn new skills to be able to keep up with the evolving market. This last month of the year can be a boon or bane.

Speaking of the Christmas rush, at least six people were injured in a 13-vehicle pile-up along UN Avenue last Monday. There was another road accident last 5 December on Katipunan Avenue involving trucks, cars, and motorcycles that left four people dead and 30 injured. Bless their souls and may drivers have more patience this holiday season when traffic is heavier than usual.

Have you felt it? Well, the MMDA said the number of vehicles on EDSA has doubled from its capacity, reminding motorists that it could go even higher this week when people rush to buy gifts before Christmas.

As our roads buckle under the weight of too many vehicles and too little alternate routes and infrastructure, it is high time we reconsider the seas as a viable and, indeed, superior mode of transportation.

The Pasig River could be transformed into a viable route for economic activities, easing congestion on Metro Manila’s roadways and supporting the growth of river-based transport. For example, traveling from Pinagbuhatan in Pasig to Escolta in Manila via the ferry takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, significantly shorter than the typical 3-hour land journey.

Although, let’s face it, no mode of transportation is completely accident-free, sea travel offers a safer alternative than the busy streets. Sea travel can be a chance to break free of the gridlock while promoting a greener alternative. Ships can transport large numbers of passengers reducing overloaded buses and reckless drivers, leaving a smaller carbon footprint per travel. Plus, you get an unobstructed view of the horizon.

At the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), 4.5-million passengers are expected to flock to the ports this holiday season. Hence, PPA general manager Jay Santiago has issued a memorandum of no-leave to the employees so they could assist in the holiday rush.

The PPA is actively modernizing its facilities to make sea travel more accessible and efficient. Expanded routes and upgraded terminals are bridging the gap between urban centers and remote coastal communities. This connectivity fosters economic growth and promotes tourism, while providing Filipinos with an alternative to land-based travel.

For those struggling this Christmas season, hold on tight…

The true spirit of Christmas is not about the numbers of gifts you can purchase and give despite the traffic, nor it is about the travel with loved ones despite the financial struggle, but it is about the moments of hope, compassion and kindness which make us rekindle the joy of this holiday season.

Safe travels, folks and may we rediscover happiness wrapped in so many unfamiliar ways or even shipped out from different parts of the world this season, for we are all in the same boat, one safe travel at a time.