There is no better place to celebrate the Christmas season than right here, in the Philippines.

 It is what draws  so many ecpatriates to the land of their birth every December..

 This year , several members of my family  will be coming home, all the way from California and New Jersey.

 Birdie Reyes III will be here for the Aliw Awards event, as will his sister Yasmin Assad and her children Chilli and Brison, Sol too will Erle  and Sara Reyes with their grandma, Erlie Mendoza,

 Besides attending functions in Manila, they will be going out of town, to Tagaytay City, Boracay  and other tourist spots, far from the traffic of Metro Manila.

 As in years past, balikbayans will  enjoy seeing the bright lights and ddcorations along the city streets,   savoring a variety of dishes,experiencing Simbang gabi,  partaking of puto bumbong and bibingka, watching live concerts, and being the recipients of the hospitality of Filipinos.

 Balikbayans will be met by their relatives, specially their godchildren, and will see streetchildten and natives Filipinos from  northern and southern  Philippines .  These will not mar their enjoyment of being back on Philippine soil to spend Christmas with their families and friends.

 A warm welcome to all balikbayans this Christmas!