We always hope that the Christmas season will bring a lot of cheer and joy.

Through good times and bad times, the Filipinos have always found something to cheer about during this season of peace and good tidings.

For one, politics usually takes a back seat, so to speak, as we prioritize the festivities that are part of our way of life.

On the financial side, this is the season the “bonuses” are given.  Government saves up for precisely this moment to make its employees happy.  So do most private firms, unless their businesses are floundering.

The windfall remittances from overseas Filipino workers will add to the money in circulation at this time of the year creating demand for products and services which, in turn, create employment.

Economists normally consider the last three months of the year as the “catching up” period primarily due to increased trade, manufacturing, and services that is currently fueled by increases in exports and unprecedented dollar inflows from overseas.

The political conflicts that threaten to get stronger in the coming days will be a deviation but we can expect it to have minimal impact on the psychological bent of Filipinos to be happy during the season.  After all, the birth of Jesus is reason to rejoice among our predominantly Christian populations.

Between politics and culture, I suppose, culture will reign supreme at this time of the holiday season.

In a sense it is our religious beliefs and the accompanying culture and traditions which will prop up the economy despite some political noise.

This is what Christmas could be like in this country this year.