As I’m typing this, I can hear a group of carolers singing Filipino Christmas songs somewhere in our village.
What I’m finding a little sad upon reflection is the fact that in the Philippines – or at least here in Cebu, where I’m from – our word for caroling: “panaygon” has literally become synonymous with “financial solicitation”.
Organizations plan scheduled caroling sessions at the houses of wealthy benefactors to raise funds. Street children jingle bottle caps together and halfheartedly warble “We wish you a Merry Christmas” at car windows then scratch your paint job with their instruments of cheer if you don’t give them any coins. House-to-house carolers, after a couple of songs, will linger and yell “MERRY CHRISTMAS!” through the gate but by their tone they could be saying “GIVE US MONEY OR WE’LL CLIMB OVER THIS FENCE AND BREAK YOUR LEGS”.
I’m not saying charity is bad, but what I’m noticing is the trend of expecting something in return for doing something good, instead of doing something good simply because it’s right. People who never show their faces the rest of the year suddenly turn up and greet you a Merry Christmas then ask “Wala koy pinaskuhan? (Aren’t you going to give me a Christmas gift?)” or garbage men who normally leave trash all over the street instead of being meticulous during their weekly pickups suddenly turn up every day expecting a handout.
Shouldn’t charity and good will be given willingly, and not out of obligation?
One of the best Christmas memories I can recall is from a time when we had just moved to this village over 20 years ago. At the time, my cousins were still living next door and my dad and uncle had the idea to take their guitars and lead me, my sisters and my cousins in singing Christmas carols door-to-door.
I can still remember how it felt, in the cool December air many years ago, Dad and Tito Boy strumming, and singing with their booming voices; us with our childish, high-pitched ones: O Come All Ye Faithful, O Holy Night, Kasadya Ni’ng Taknaa. Several times, the owners of the house came out while we were singing and with a huge smile, handed us a 100- or 500- or even 1000-peso bill when we were done.
Each time, Dad and Tito Boy waved their money away and said we weren’t doing it for money.
Later, I asked Dad why. As a kid with a 10-peso allowance, that much money being given freely to us was a bit overwhelming for me and watching those thousand-peso bills being turned down had been unbelievable. And Dad gently told me “we don’t sing Christmas songs so people will give us money. We sing Christmas songs to make people happy."
That was a pretty thought-provoking idea for a child. I didn’t realize it at that time but that simple idea became one of the main guiding philosophies that I tried to emulate.
You don’t help someone with their heavy load so they’ll give you a tip, you do it because they need help.
You don’t give a tip to a guy who helps you with your bag because it’s an obligation. You give a tip to show him that you’re grateful for his help.
You don’t follow traffic rules so you won’t get caught by the police. You follow traffic rules because if everyone followed traffic rules, the flow of traffic would be so much smoother.
You don’t wait to get to a trash can to toss your candy wrapper in because you don’t want to be fined. You do it because when you litter, it makes the world a dirtier place.
You don’t do your job well so you can get a raise, a promotion or a big gift at Christmas. You do your job well because it contributes to your team’s overall success.
You don’t give charity because you’re afraid someone will scratch your car if you don’t. You give charity because Jesus told us to give to the poor.
In other words, do something good simply because it’s the right thing to do and will make the world a better place instead of always wondering what’s in it for you.
There’s a reason why it’s called goodWILL. It’s not just the actions one does that define him as a person, but also the heart and spirit – the will – that drives him to do them.
