Dalawang Mukha ng Pasko
Bisperas ng pasko, alas dies ng gabi pero nasa lansangan pa rin si Boy. Buong araw siyang naglalako ng sigarilyo at kendi sa kahabaan ng Quiapo ngunit mahina ang kaniyang benta dahil madalang ang sasakyang nagdaraan.
Muntik pa siyang mahuli ng pulis kaninang hapon at kung hindi siya sinuwerte ay malamang na napunta na naman kay Sarge Daboy (ang naturang parak na palaging nangongotong sa tulad niya) ang halos singkwenta pesos na kinita niya ngayon.
Samantala, sa kanilang dampa roon sa looban ay hindi pa naghahapunan ang kaniyang dalawang nakababatang kapatid. Wala na ang kaniyang mga magulang kaya’t mag-isang binubuhay ni Boy ang mga kapatid.
Sa edad na dose aņos ay mistulang matanda na si Boy. Sa kaniyang mga mata ay maaaninag ang hirap na pinagdaanan sa buhay. Ngayong pasko, tamang-tama lang na pambili ng mami at pandesal ang pagsasaluhan nilang magkakapatid.
Wala nang saysay ang kahulugan ng okasyon kay Boy. Ito’y isang pangkaraniwang araw na lang sa masalimuot niyang buhay sa parteng ito ng mundo.
Meanwhile, thousands of miles across the ocean in the suburb of Lakewood, California little Joey’s face cannot be painted. He was sulking all morning because it’s the 24th of December and his parents didn’t let him get the Playstation 2 game that he desperately wanted this Christmas.
“I don’t want you playing those games especially that ‘Grand Theft Auto’ because it’s too violent,” his mom said with conviction.
“But I want them for my present. You said if I’m a good kid this year you’ll give me what I want. That’s what I want!” Joey snorted but his pleadings fell on deaf ears.
Joey’s parents are both Filipino immigrants who moved to the states ten years ago when Joey was barely a year old. He doesn’t remember what it was like in the old country where his parents grew up.
His was a life of relative comfort and ease. He’s studying in a private school and everything about him reflects the good life America has to offer to kids like him.
Even though this Christmas he’ll get to spend with his family and have the best foods he’s always gotten used to and showered with new clothes and toys, he’s still unhappy because he thinks his mom was being unfair to him.
“It’s not fair,” he muttered over and over.