Do I Deserve to Be Happy?

by Gil Camporazo

Father's Day is a tradition among the Americans and likewise with the Filipinos. It is observed every 3rd Sunday of June. Children, grandchildren, and even wives keep this momentous day to honor fathers for their exemplary contribution to their family and to the community where they live.

According to history, it was on July 5, 1908, when the first Father's Day was observed in Fairmont, West Virginia as a result of Anna Jarvis' promotion of Mother's Day in Grafton, West Virginia. It was only a local celebration in that particular place in West Virginia.

Watch Out for a Big Bang!

 Though it is too risky, selling of firecrackers is one of the lucrative small business to venture with, according to one of the vendors I happened to talk two days before New Year's revelry.

As a tradition, Filipinos used to have a "big bang" to "drive away evil spirits" and happily welcome the following year with enthusiasm and excitement as a properous and a happy one.

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When I was a kid, what I knew that "firing" a reventador (a tiny firecracker) is just for fun. The more "paputok" (several sets of fireworks) you "burned", the more you're idolized by others as a "sikat" (celebrity).

I got a traumatic experience when I was eight years old then. I noticed some of my friends dared to hold a piece of tiny firecracker with their two fingers and let it fire without hurting or damaging their fingers. I was curious and did it secretly for myself. "Bang!" the "explosive" burst on my finger before I knew it. My fingers hurt, but luckily they're not cut off! That's the first and the last firecracker I ever dared to hold!

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This new year I spent it watching our neighbors enjoying their fireworks and eating our midnight snacks with my children, grandchildren, and with my beloved wife, who is the best chef cook of all time. We pray together and implore our Divine Providence to grant us more blessings and happiness as we faithfully follow His commandments and help our brothers and sisters who have less in life.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!