Christmas Memories: Paolo Paraiso

Paolo Paraiso

What is your most memorable holiday season? How do you intend to celebrate Christmas this year?

Christmas has always been and will always be about family. My fondest memories of the holidays are from when I was a kid growing up. Christmas was the only time of the year I got to see my cousins, titos and titas who were based in different countries all over the world. I was excited because that meant lots of gifts for me. We would usually start our celebration on Dec. 24, brunch time, all the way to Christmas morning. We only got a little sleep, but we would party again—this time, with my father’s side of the clan—on Christmas Day.

This year, since we all have our own families, and some have passed away, a simple dinner for noche buena and a simple reunion for lunch on Christmas Day would somehow replicate how we celebrated the season before. —BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.