I'm making some posters for a UNDP project that has to do with bias against Muslims. My readings have inevitably led me to grim reminders of the violence that results from this AD-long friction: world history is strewn with dead armies and millions of innocent people all having given their lives for their beliefs. Muslims not getting jobs because of their names. Muslims not getting taxi rides because of their headscarves. Okay, sorry.

Alas, I had to look no further than Ruffa Gutierrez for some guiding light. She recalls her husband's (who is Muslim) first Christmas.

Recalled Ruffa, "Nung Christmas Eve, nasa bahay lang kami. Sama-samang pamilya. Nagpakain din kami sa mga mahihirap. Nagpa-staff party din kami. Nagbigay kami ng raffle prizes.

"Pagpasok pa lang niya sa bahay namin sa White Plains, na-shock na siya talaga. Nagpa-catering kami. Yung kinakain namin tsaka yung kinakain ng staff namin, pare-pareho. Lahat kami nag-games, nagpa-prizes. Namigay kami ng TV, appliances, gift baskets. Gusto talaga niyang maiyak."

Wow. TVs! Same food as everyone else! It must *really* be Christmas!

"It's the first time that he celebrated Christmas in his life kaya medyo na-shock-shock siya. He's Muslim. Alam nyo naman sa abroad, they celebrate Christmas, wala lang. Sa Turkey nga they don't even know what's Christmas. Touched na touched siya sa celebrations natin."

The bubbly Ruffa added, "Ako naman, I wanna celebrate all holidays—both Christian and Muslim. Gusto ko mga anak ko lumaki sila knowing all holidays."

So, the spirit of Christmas is:

1. Raffles.

2. Sharing food with your staff.

3. Celebrate all them holidays to show sensitivity for the fact that other people don't celebrate Christmas.

Her family is a shining example of how Muslims and Christians can co-exist! There's hope yet! (Okay, enough. Too easy to make fun of Ruffa.)