For moms, it looks like there’s no difference between Noche Buena and Media Noche with the kitchen the center of activities, preparing for scrumptious, mouth-watering dishes the family loves.
Ever wonder the difference between Noche Buena and Media Noche? Aren’t you baffled as to the phrases’ usage for a very distinct occasion, the highlight of the Holiday Season?
Having been reared in an Ilonggo home wherein a good number of words are actually in Spanish like jabon (soap), soltero (bachelor), servilleta (table napkin). Thus, hablo un poquito de espanol (I speak a little Spanish). As opposed to today when it is an elective subject, during my school days Spanish was a mandatory subject taken in the first two years of college. Thus, it seems like there's hardly any difference between the two.
Now, here's the thing. Noche Buena is a dinner celebration on Christmas eve that lasts until the early morning hours of Christmas Day while Media Noche is associated with a dinner gathering, ushering in the New Year.
And legend has it that both celebrations, Noche Buena and Media Noche, date back to the introduction of Christianity and the Spanish colonization of the country that lasted for over 300 years. It’s not just the sumptuous food but it’s the whole vibe of love and togetherness that makes both festive occasions incredibly charming and magical.
Revitalized with family love and positivity, we are ready to face the New Year, surviving and leaving behind 2022 that was peppered with more ups than downs, twists and turns, mounds, humps and bumps.
It also came with surprises: there’s the geopolitical tension with the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Whilst the twisted turn in his political profile, former US President Donald Trump and rapper Kanye West announced their intention to seek the Oval office. Domestically, we were able to withstand the supply chain issue courtesy of the Russia-Ukraine conflict with the country successfully flying through the economic storms and typhoons.
My favorite market analyst, Jonas Ravelas, likened the country to the flag carrier, Philippine Airlines, amidst the headwinds still shining through with full of surprises following the opening of the economy that alternatively fueled more domestic activities, bringing economic performance better than expected.
On a personal note, 2022 was neither tough nor easy, starting off with my strictest, my most stern critic National Artist for Literature F. Sionil-Jose joining the biggest editorial desk up there and was followed several months after by the wind behind his wings, wife Aunt Tita.
Looking back, indeed, there were events that unfolded in the year that was, notably the surge in inflation rate due to cost-push brought about by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the effects of which we all felt and will continue to linger this 2023.
While the economy is back beyond normal, this ongoing geopolitical tensions, potential supply chain issues, which will keep inflation rate elevated as well as climate change are among the difficult challenges the global economic managers have to address.
As the wheels of business churn to full speed ahead, I fly along with the observation that if we hurdle the high inflation environment in the first half of 2023 then the second half will be better and more fruitful.
Cheers 2023.
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