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For years and years, I would not repeat my Christmas tree motif. Thinking up of what next? was hard to ignore.   

Then five years ago, we lost our long-time househelper, Ate Vi, to an undiagnosed ailment, and so I lost my persistent prodder, "Christmas is three months away; don't dilly-dally deciding on the trimmings!" 

Our tree departed with her. The pandemic made things worse—or better, depending on how you look at it. My interest in crafts departed as well. 

But on Halloween last month, Mother Teresa brought out a cornucopia of old decor from the storeroom. Before she could ask, I told her to put up some of them herself. 

Just in time, pink parol (lantern) leaped out of social media.  Supporters of VP Leni Robredo were (and still are) ordering them from lantern makers.  "It's symbolic of hope; let's hang them in our homes," they announced.

This trend resulted in a cottage industry in various places. "This is not just for Christmas; let's leave them hanging till May [the presidential election]," friends encouraged other friends.      

Suddenly, I had bespoke Christmas theme! Tony called up several lantern makers who all said, "All sold out. If you can wait another two weeks . . ." 

No, we couldn't wait. Finally we found one, but for pick-up.  

And so, they surround our home (on a corner lot), reminding passers-by that on Christmas, a season of grace, Hope came. 

Two of these lanterns made it to our terrace to frame our shrunken, token (1.5 feet) Christmas tree, trimmed with pink ribbons and balls.  

Indeed, if we vote for an honest, hard-working, and transparent president with exemplary track record like Leni, we can hope to rise from the ruins of the epidemic and calamities that have strained the economy of the Philippines, your home and mine. 

"The Lord curses the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the upright." Proverbs 3:33 NLT