Is our Christmas Spirit still alive? Observation suggests it’s fading away. What happened?
We used to be excited when this festive holiday came. But somehow we notice changes in how we celebrate it. Let’s see what those changes are;
CHRISTMAS CAROLING
Christmas caroling is more than just a tradition—it’s an annual burst of joy, a heartfelt ritual that typically starts gradually around mid-September, and the closer it gets to Christmas, the more carolers come by until Christmas Eve. Groups of passionate carolers—often children—sing their hearts out as they move from house to house, spreading holiday cheer in exchange for small gifts, usually coins or sweet treats. For many, it’s a joyful way to share the Christmas spirit and, for some, a means to raise funds for the less fortunate.
Can you remember the warmth of hearing a familiar Christmas song drifting through the air as you walked down the street? The feeling of being swept up in the festive magic, even if it was just for a moment? That joy seemed endless. But now, something seems to have dimmed that holiday sparkle.
However, we don’t seem to find a lot of them coming nowadays. Where are we supposed to bring joy to now? Turns out the cause of all this is this new strict policy that discouraged passionate carolers to stop.
Where did all the carolers go? The once bustling streets, full of cheerful voices, are quieter than ever. Turns out, it’s not just a coincidence. The cause? A new, somewhat chilling policy from the Cebu City Government. Just as the season of good cheer kicks off, the city has enforced a “No Permit, No Caroling” rule. That’s right—if you want to sing for your supper (or a few pesos), you need a permit. According to the Cebu City Anti-Mendicancy Board, both unpermitted carolers must face a P1,000 fine. Yes, you read that correctly—a fine for sharing the holiday spirit.
To legally carol, aspiring singers are now required to head to the Business Permit Licensing Office (BPLO) at Cebu City Hall for official clearance. It’s no longer enough to just sing for joy; you need paperwork. And while carolers are allowed to serenade homes, offices, and stores, there’s a catch—subdivisions and private estates, with their own rules, are off-limits. So much for spreading cheer to every corner.
Caroling is supposed to be an act of spreading Christmas cheer. This isn’t a business that requires permits.
DECORATING OUR HOMES
Here’s what we noticed in Cebu today. There seems to be only less Sugboanons passionate enough to decorate their homes. Why is that? In the past, homes were brimming with twinkling lights and festive trees, with families gathered around the tree, soaking in the holiday spirit.
The good news is that in rural areas such as towns, villages, and other small settlements, Christmas cheer is still alive, with homes lit up and decorated. However, in the city, many homes are not as festive, especially when compared to the vibrant decorations found in offices, malls, parks, and other public places.
We spoke with a few neighbors, friends, and relatives who chose not to decorate their homes, and the most common reason was a lack of space for Christmas trees and belens. For many, the best they can manage is a few Christmas lights taped to walls and doors.
It kind of makes sense. A city may be wide with millions of people living in it, but is the area of the city big enough to fit everyone’s homes? In many urban areas, land is limited, and population density can be extremely high. For example, New York City has over 8 million residents living in just 302 square miles, making it one of the most densely populated cities in the U.S. As cities continue to grow, the challenge of fitting homes for millions becomes even more pressing, often leading to the rise of vertical living, like apartment buildings and skyscrapers, to maximize space.
One of the reasons homes in rural areas often have more room for decorations is the extra space they have to display them. While we can absolutely decorate our apartments in the city, sometimes it’s a matter of whether the space allows for it. If your tree fits comfortably, you’re lucky to have that extra space!
Not having decorations doesn’t mean you’ve lost your Christmas spirit—it just means you might be limited by the space in your home. But just because your space is limited, that doesn’t mean it should stop you from decorating. There’s always a way to maintain space. Who knows? It could be you Christmas miracle.
