A Blessed Christmas to Charice and Chasters

Photo from Viken Seropian Photography's post in Facebook

Christmas eve.

In the morning I texted the one Chaster whose mobile number I have to already greet her before the networks start getting busy. I was surprised to find out that she was preparing for a Chaster activity later in the day. You see, I did some days of pre-Christmas reflection and so not only had I not been online for more than a week but I had also been out of touch with news in general.

So reading her text, I thought, wow, Chasters are a real community, celebrating Christmas eve together, just like a family! I told her to enjoy, thinking it was going to be a fun get-together. Well, I got even more surprised - and edified and proud - when she clarified that they were actually going to meet to repack some goods for the victims of the typhoon Sendong (international name, "Washi") that hit the Philippines last week. Chasters meeting on Christmas eve to reach out to those in need - it is definitely not the first time that Chasters are doing this. There are more than enough stories in Charicemania.com for instance of "Chaster Clauses", that is, Chasters who help out other Chasters; there was also a reach out to the elderly in the Golden Acres Home by Philippine Chasters this year.

So why are Chasters as Chasters always thinking of extending that helping hand to another? I'd say that Charice simply inspires the best in people. This simple girl who gave all she could to help her family while growing up, and who is now sharing her music and her life story with the world. Grounded in faith, she constantly inspires hope and spreads love. People who admire and look up to Charice seem to naturally end up passing on the same spirit of joyfully sharing and giving what they have - it's the spirit of Christmas, lived throughout the year and especially so this season.

Charice said it so well in the last song of her Christmas concert in the Philippines:

This season may we never forget the love we have for Jesus
Let him be the one to guide us as another new year starts
And may the spirit of Christmas be always in our hearts.

Charice and Chasters, may you and your families all have a Blessed Christmas!