Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando has directed his men to strictly enforce his order banning all young carolers in all the streets in Metro Manila this Christmas season. The order was carried out following the complaints from the motorists that young children are causing much annoyance as cars stalled in heavy traffic. Other motorists complained that young carolers are giving them scare as they approached moving cars carelessly.

But the young carolers who are mostly street children and came from the squatter colonies in the Metropolis are just prompted by their desire to share their way of expressing the spirit of Christmas in exchange for a few peso from the motorists. These young urchins just love their caroling activity every time Christmas comes, even if they do it the hard way. For these children the joy of Christmas is not about lavish gifts but wholehearted kindness from the motorists as they herald Christmas carols to them.

In this time of festive season, the joy that these children want to celebrate was completely ruined. No caroling in the street, no money to share with their families and no food to partake in the table. As always Christmas for these poor people is a matter of sadness and nothingness.

And for the spoiler, the MMDA chairman who is rich could only say to the poor young children, “get out of the streets you urchins!” Sad really sad, how many children were taken out of their only means to express their joy this Christmas – to sing their Christmas carols. While the chairman with his pampered children and his fellow rich savor the essence of Christmas with sumptuous and delectable foods in their roomy dining table. Ah…what a disparity and injustice we have in this world. All I can say is Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.