In Almanac for Manileños, one of his most incandescent works, published almost 40 years ago, Nick Joaquin described December as the month “where all men are at home.” From the numerous feast days celebrating marriage, parenthood, and domestic idyll, to great historical events and festive food, Nick Joaquin’s exploration of December, and what the Christmas season might mean to Filipinos, has retained its wistful, reflective, picturesque and sensuous originality. The “Old Manila” Joaquin’s book conjures is charming in its otherworldliness and typically food-driven. Nothing to cook in advance except the coffee or chocolate.”Joaquin’s Christmas shopping occured in a world that is barely recognizable today. In the month of December, in the Yuletide season so beloved by us, there is no place for loneliness and hopelessness. Nick Joaquin will not allow it.

Source: Manila Times December 25, 2017 16:18 UTC