CAMILLE GRACE ALCALA, FILIPINO, MOM OF 2 CHILDREN (15 & 8 YEARS OLD)
How will you be celebrating Christmas Day and New Year’s Day in HK?
My Christmas Day and New Year’s Day start with video calls from my family. My Roukan (karate) family here in Hong Kong usually holds a Christmas party every year. This New Year’s Day I will spend it with some of my close friends.
How did you celebrate Christmas Day and New Year’s Day before you came to HK to work?
My family always went for Misa de Gallo (Christmas Mass). We usually spent Christmas Day and New Year’s Day with my parents.
When was the last time you celebrated Christmas Day and New Year’s Day with your children?
The last time I celebrated Christmas Day and New Year’s Day with my kids was in 2014.
Do you know how your children will be celebrating Christmas Day and New Year’s Day?
My kids will celebrate Christmas Day and New Year’s Day with my parents. They will go to church and my mom usually cooks their favourite food. They always call and greet me.
What would be the best Christmas and New Year present for you?
It’s hard to be away from my kids especially when it’s been 6 years since I last spent Christmas with them. Even though thThe best present for me will be to spend my Christmas and New Year with my kids and my parents. But because of the pandemic, I can’t go home so for me having video calls from them will be the best present.
How does it feel to be away from your children this Christmas?
It’s hard to be away from my kids especially when it’s been 6 years since I last spent Christmas with them. Even though they understand, physical contact like hugs and kisses are the things I can’t give to them. Hopefully next year I can spend Christmas with them.
Why is Christmas special for you and your family?
Christmas is important to us because as Catholics it’s the celebration of Christ’s birth.