It was the middle of a lazy Saturday afternoon, and the same was emitting a soft glow, signalling that the day was almost done. As the rest of the world got ready to party the night away, there I was, standing in the taxi stand in my expensive JusiBarong, eagerly waiting for a taxi to come by. There was something about weddings in Manila that fascinated me: they were very elaborate, obviously expensive, and extravagant. The actual ceremony wasn’t really much; it would be attended by a significant few, with the church usually half, if not fewer, full. But the receptions were another story: everyone goes to that event, and it usually serves as a status symbol of one’s achievement in his career or the capacity of the families involved. Anyhow, I was there, getting ready to enjoy another feast in celebration of another union.
After a few minutes, I was able to get on a taxi. The driver seemed decent, yet I can see in his eyes that he was already weary of the road and the traffic. After telling him my destination and his agreement of it, we started with our journey. And as usual, a discussion began between the both us.
Driver: Are you off to an event sir?
Joh: Yes, actually I am going to a wedding reception.
Driver: Where would you like me to pass sir? The main road would probably be full at this time. Would you like me to pass by the alternative route?
Joh: That would be alright... as long as you can take me there. By the way, why would it be congested with traffic at this time?
Driver: Ah sir, there are many graduations happening right now. Some of the malls are also hosting them, and we might pass a few of them.
Joh: Oh, okay. (Good to know)
Driver: Even my daughter is graduating from high school today.
My heart sank. Why would he even have to be on the road a few hours before his daughter’s graduation? Wasn’t he supposed to be preparing for some sort of celebration?
Joh: Oh, so you must be very proud. But why are you still driving? Aren’t you supposed to be celebrating?
Driver: Yes, I am very proud of her. At the same time, I feel relieved that she has finally graduated. However, I still need to work so I have enough money to pay for the celebration. I want it to be special for her, even if I have to work extra hours to do so.
I couldn’t help but feel embarrassed. There I was, ready to enjoy a night of good food and friends, and there he was still toiling hours away from a celebration he rightfully deserves to enjoy. We usually associate celebrations with extravagance and splendor that we forget the reasons why we are celebrating. Commercialization has exacerbated the essence of our celebrations that they have to be better, bigger, and more magnificent than the other in order for us to say that it was a great celebration, even if we were just celebrating the same thing.
This Lent, we should start looking at the true essence of our celebrations. We should ask ourselves why we are celebrating, and not only on how we are going to celebrate. Are the excesses necessary, or are we a victim of the forces that govern the way we think in society? What do we really need to celebrate something?
As we drove through bustling streets in that lazy Saturday afternoon, I couldn’t help but smile. In the end, we will both be celebrating something special tonight.