>Thank God it's Christmas.

I feel blessed to be with my family every Christmas. The allure of big time Christmas parties in Boracay or where have you are always tempting, but I never really give them a second thought because being with my family has how it's always been, and it'll always be way better than any party anywhere in the country, or in the world.

This, however, has to be THE most blessed Christmas for me yet. Or maybe it just gets better every year! And I can't just say that 2003 was a pivotal year because everyday is a pivotal day. I wake up each morning and walk straight to the bathroom to splash freezing water on my face, and I look into the mirror and tell myself to live, no matter what. But this holiday season, my eyes were opened again, not by a cool splash but by family and friends who did unexpected things for me. And when I asked them why, I realized that it's just because they loved me. Yeah, love rules!

So to all my close friends, whom I hardly even see, thanks for always hugging me as if I was a balikbayan who just came home for the holidays. You are all gifts and I love you.

To GamePlan and Probe Productions and my best friend Buko Pie, thank you for always being there for me and for putting up with my mood swings (The ones people don't even think I'm ever capable of having.). Our experiences with each other will always make me feel richer than the richest people I know. FOR VANDOLPH FOREVAH!!!

And to my family, thank you so much for making life so grand. Mama, you're the best OC and Monk-ish mom anyone could ever have. Carla and Bianca, you're the best cartoon and film and art and music addicts to have as sisters (Yes, even if I hate your ringtones, Bianca!). And Max, well, what can I say? You're the only dog I know who tries to talk as if you're human, so thanks for always running around me when I walk in the house.

This is a photo that Mama took of us back in 1992, New Year's Eve (God, I was 12 and I weighed 89lbs! Can you believe?!) She submitted this photo, along with an article, to the Inquirer for this writing contest about family traditions. The darn newspaper hasn't given her a call back and she's worried that she didn't win, but I think that's it's one of the best pieces ever written about family and Christmas. It has to be! I mean she's my famous English Major Mum! Who else would put up with a bakya daughter who used to say "let's ride the escalculator" and "I'll get some fried kitchen from the chiken"? Anyway, here's the article that she wrote. I hope you enjoy it as much as my sisters and I did. :)

Merry Christmas, everybody! And I love you, Mama! You rock!

HOLIDAY CHEFS
by Madeleine da Silva-Vargas

Every year, for the last 23 years, at exactly 3 p. m. on the 24th of December, our kitchen is the venue of a major production...to be more specific, a major production line...

It all started when my three daughters were toddlers and insisted on helping their Papa prepare a Christmas Eve dinner of roast turkey. The eldest, Carla, was assigned the task of rubbing the turkey with salt, followed by fresh lemons, and generous amounts of butter. She proudly showed off her butter-laced fingers after the chore. Number 2, Bianca, busied herself with chopping ingredients that went into the bread stuffing; while the youngest, Alia, waited her turn to mix the stuffing with eggs. Getting her hands all sticky made her feel she was doing as good a job as her siblings.

Thus began not only their appreciation for what many consider a tasteless bird, but also a family tradition. Somehow, their participation in the preparation made the dish rather sumptuous, and made them look forward to the same activity—with the same assignments--year after year.

A few days before the 24th would find them discussing how to improve the stuffing, or how to keep the meat juicy, or what herbs to add to enhance flavor and aroma. Last year, they decided to insert fresh rosemary between the turkey’s skin and meat, and we enjoyed both flavor and aroma! In the past, there were near disasters, too, as when Alia misunderstood her sisters and poured the remaining liquid (from the salt and lemon and butter) into the stuffing mix instead of on the turkey!

The fact that they continue the production line only on Christmas Eve has made them christen themselves “Holiday Chefs.”

It warms my heart to see all three cheerfully preparing dinner when only a few months back they may have been yelling at each other or exchanging harsh words--just like sisters are wont to do every now and then. This revered kitchen activity seems to wash away all the negatives that may have crossed their paths within the year...even bringing me visions of little grandchildren joining the production line...

And as we thank the Lord for the meal before us, I also quietly thank Him because this mother, who cannot even cook rice properly, has been blessed with daughters who can cook—even if only during the holidays!

Posted 2:45 AM by Alia Vargas