SANTA CLAUS AT CHRISTMAS AND THE ROLE OF GODPARENTS
Christmas wouldn’t be complete without getting in touch with godparents, right? For a godchild (and his/her parents), it’s the most perfect time to collect the gifts, and rake money from the annually-rich “ala Santa Claus” godparents. Hahaha, just kidding. Seriously, it’s a tradition actually that’s long been practiced among Pinoys that the godchildren visit their godparents on Christmas Day (or vice versa), not only to receive gifts, but more importantly—to pay respect, keep in touch and receive some words of advice with godparents being regarded as the “second parents”.
The beautiful Pinoy custom however is seldom practiced nowadays and personally, I myself confessed that I haven’t done much effort to fulfill my duty as a good Ninang to my inaanaks. It’s either I am too busy with so many things (but just “sometimes” the truth is, I’m really hiding from them) or my inaanaks are too far to reach me—these are the two excuses I always have with me whenever Christmas time arrives. Gosh, I’m a bad Ninang, really!
There’s always this feeling of guilt but on the other thought, I know that the parents of my inaanaks understand their Ninang’s shortcomings. On the part of Nico’s godparents, all four of them, they maybe a few but we’re so blessed because we know we’ve chosen those closest to us. Nico’s Ninongs and Ninangs have never failed to remember him not only during birthdays and Christmas time, but also keep in touch with us constantly to know how Nico was doing all through these years.
And to return back the favor, I promised myself I’d be a better Ninang. It was a humbling experience taking the initiative to keep in touch with my inaanaks for the longest time, but the feeling of being able to give joy and mentoring them as well were all worth it. Three days past Christmas Day, I just have two inaanaks left to make it up to!
Ending this post with photos of our meetup with Andre Miguel, my adorable three-year old godchild with my good friend Michelle. Michelle also happens to be Nico’s Ninang. Well, she’s not a grantor of all of Nico’s wishes. Neither she’s given Nico the most expensive gift a child could ever have. But while the role of godparents is said to have gotten a little muddy in recent generations by being a mere liturgical accessories on a child’s Baptism day, for me, she was someone outside my immediate family whom I hold dear.
My adorable inaanak, Andre Miguel
Andre with Mommy Michelle
Daddy Alex, Mommy Michelle and Andre
It used to be just Michelle and me who hang out
once in a while, now it’s with our families.
With our makukulit na kids.
Nico and Andre at the play area of the place where we chilled out.
Nico can no longer wait for Christmas to open
Ninang Michelle’s gift for him, so we opened it.
It was fun quiz card and Nico so loves it!
Thanks Ninang Michelle for the wonderful gift.
You really know what to give Nico, don’t you?
6 responses so far
Congrats, congrats… I am so happy for you. Hang in there. I’m sure you’ll...
im first hahaha.. anyway, im glad nico loved it.
so, can i grab my copies now? lols
I hope your Christmas was wonderfully filled with love and joy.
I also wish you and your family the best for 2008.
Mich, go grab them. I’ll just do a few posts pa then I’ll email you the raw photos later.
thanks for the well wishes, Teacher Julie.
It was truly a blessed Christmas that we had. I hope your Christmas was filled with happiness and love in the family as well. 
And my sincerest wish for a Christ-centered and blessed 2008 for you and your family!
The whole concept of Ninang/Ninong is somehow lost because some parents have this notion that “the more, the merrier”. Tama ka, kahit iilan lang, basta sigurado ka na sila ang pwede mong asahan na “second parents”, ok na. Kaya kami sa family, it’s tradition to just get your siblings. Sometimes nga, our Aunts/Uncles become godparents pa of our kids. Eh di apo na nila yun. Only the closest friends make it to the godparents list, if at all. At least we’re sure that our kids will be in good hands, just in case
Cookie, that’s a prinsipyo so admirable. actually, the best and deserving godparents are those closest to us, di ba?
my Mom was somewhat in shocked when she knew Nico only had four godparents. LOL.