by Seneca Moraleda-Puguan
Kristine, Leon, Marce, Nika, Ofel, Pepito…
These names are forever etched in Philippine history as the six consecutive typhoons that battered the islands within a single month.
They did not simply pass by; they unleashed a trail of destruction, leaving hundreds dead, thousands homeless, and livelihoods in disarray. The financial losses ran into the millions, but the human cost was immeasurable.
As these storms ravaged Northern Luzon, we anxiously monitored their paths, praying for our loved ones in harm’s way.
My husband’s family in Nueva Vizcaya watched helplessly as their roof flew away when Typhoon Pepito struck. Relatives in Bicol scrambled to higher ground. Friends in Cagayan waded through floodwaters to reach safety.
By God’s grace, many of the people we know were spared the worst. Yet, for countless others, the storms were unrelenting, stripping them of homes, loved ones, and the means to rebuild.
Their grief and despair were palpable as they clung to the hope of government aid or the kindness of strangers.
Similarly, Spain faced its own tragedy when torrential rains, equivalent to a year’s worth of rainfall, poured in just eight hours, triggering flash floods across Valencia.
Over two hundred lives were lost, and many remain missing. The deluge caught countless people unprepared, their lives swept away in an instant.
In the United States, many people remain displaced and struggling after devastating hurricanes that hit the continent.
As winter sets in and snow begins to fall, countless individuals and families are living in tents, grappling with the challenge of rebuilding their lives while waiting for government aid.
Globally, migration continues to be a pressing issue.
People fleeing violence and economic disasters seek refuge in wealthier nations like the US, yet their journeys often lead to uncertainty and hardship.
And then, there’s war. Or rather, wars—endless conflicts that scar the earth and its people.
Bombs fall, and the innocent bear the brunt of the carnage. Families are torn apart, children’s lives are shattered, and entire communities are left in ruins.
“Agonizing” is too small a word for the depth of suffering many are enduring at this time.
As Christmas approaches, the world buzzes with celebration—lights twinkle, gifts pile under trees, and homes fill with laughter.
But my thoughts are with those for whom joy seems unreachable: the families displaced by war, the communities devastated by natural disasters, and the individuals carrying burdens too heavy to bear.
How do they move forward? How do they piece together the fragments of their lives?
The answer lies in the essence of Christmas: Christ.
He came to give hope to the hopeless, to be light in the darkness, to bring life where there is none.
Christmas is not about parties or presents. It’s about embodying His love—practicing compassion, extending generosity, and sharing hope.
It’s about being the light that dispels the darkness.
So, this Christmas, as we gather with our families under warm roofs and around abundant tables, let us pause. Let us remember the countless souls who have no home, no feast, and no peace.
Let us pray for them and take action, however small, to bring relief. Because in a world weighed down by loss and sorrow, we are called to be conduits of love and hope.
As the song goes: “What the world needs is love, yes, the world needs your love. Give love on Christmas Day.”
May we embrace this calling, not just for a season, but for a lifetime. For through love, we give the greatest gift of all—hope.
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