FILIPINOS CELEBRATE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21604, 5 January 1945, Page 4

FILIPINOS CELEBRATE

A JOYFUL CHRISTMAS FIRST FOR THREE YEARS SYDNEY. Dee. 28. Although still in the shadow of war, liberated Leyte is having its first joyful Christmas in three years, reports H. J. Summers, Sydney Morning Herald war correspondent on Leyte. On towns where the sound of bombs and artillery has reverberated since late October, peace has descended, and the only explosions heard are those of the fire-crackers with which Filipino children are once more celebrating the season. Christmas trees were placed and Christmas pageants presented in schools. Other trees appeared in homes ■,almost filling the living rooms of humbler dwellings. Many of the people have observed an old custom by the erection of little cribs of the infant Saviour in their houses and hanging lanterns in their windows as a symbol of the Eastern Star.

Ii is their first free Christmas since 1940, and they are anxious to show it.

Towns and barrios on Christmas Eve were alive with people filled with the soiril of the season. Thousands of civilians and American soldiers waited to attend Mass at midnight. Children who were singing carols in

soldiers’ camps were liberally rewarded. The Americans entered heartily into the celebrations. The W.A.C.S. cn Leyte entertained Filipino parents and children, and visited the military hospitals to sing carols.