It’s September. Being a Filipino (living in the Philippines), this means that the Christmas season has “officially” started. Once the “-ber” months begin, so do the Christmas songs on the radio (although I started to hear such songs waaay back in would you belive, July?), Christmas decorations in the malls, among others.
But can we really enjoy Christmas this year? With the government admitting that we are in a crisis, how could we? Last month I was happy that we finally got the long awaited refund from MERALCO. But with fuel prices about to go up again, I’m beginning to think that the amount of the refund may not even be enough to pay for the new electric bills.
The taxi companies are now scheduled to implement the P30.00 flagdown rate and P2.50 per 300m rate. Jeez! It’s Christmas time and we won’t have any money to spend even for ourselves much more for our family, friends, and inaanaks.
For the past 8 years, the company I work for has been giving us a 14th Month bonus. This year, I’m hoping that will still give us that bonus. But I wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t. If I don’t get that bonus, we’ll…it’ll have a great effect on my holiday spending — even more, my savings. It’s because I usually save the 14th month pay.
A thing worth noting though, is that the stock market picked up the other day. According to reports, the points attained was one of the highest levels in recent years. We still have 3 months to go ’till Christmas. There is therefore still hope that the economy may pick up. If it does, it’ll be one great Christmas gift to us Filipinos.