Tag: Merely Christmas

Why Crimes Rise During the Christmas Season—and How to Avoid Them

When Christmas shines with money and noise, peace fades. Remember who it’s for.

Every Christmas, the Philippines glows brighter—but crime rates also climb. It’s a pattern that repeats every year, and the reasons aren’t hard to see.

Why it happens:

• Money everywhere.
December means bonuses, 13th-month pay, and cash-heavy streets. Criminals know people carry more money than usual.

• Financial pressure.
Some struggle to keep up with the season’s expectations—gifts, parties, travel—so temptation kicks in.

• Crowded and distracted.
Malls, terminals, and markets are packed. Perfect cover for thieves and pickpockets.

• Overconfidence.
The “Christmas spirit” makes people relax their guard—phones out, bags open, houses unlocked.

• Alcohol and parties.
Holiday drinking often leads to fights, accidents, or reckless behavior.

• Opportunity mindset.
Law enforcers get spread thin during the holidays. Small streets and residential areas end up less guarded.

• Return of old offenders.
Some ex-offenders return to their old habits when they can’t find work or feel excluded from the season’s joy.

• Scams and online fraud.
December is peak time for fake online shops, phishing, and parcel scams. Everyone’s buying, so everyone’s a target.

• Transport chaos.
Crowded terminals and traffic jams create confusion—perfect for pickpockets and bag switching.

• Emotional triggers.
Loneliness or jealousy can push unstable individuals to act out when they see others celebrating.

• Weak neighborhood watch.
Many families travel, leaving homes empty and easy to break into.

What criminals should remember:

If you’re thinking of stealing this Christmas, remember—you’re not just taking money. You’re stealing peace, joy, and trust from families who worked hard for it. You might fill your pocket, but you’ll empty your soul.

You don’t need to choose that path. There’s always another way. Every street vendor, delivery rider, and jeepney driver proves that honest work still feeds the table. Christmas is meant to change hearts, not harden them. So before you do wrong, think of the Child in the manger—He was born with nothing, yet He gave everything.

How to stay safe:

• Carry only what you need.

• Avoid crowded or dimly lit areas when possible.

• Don’t flash gadgets or thick wallets.

• Keep homes locked and lights on.

• Be alert with online purchases and delivery texts.

• Spend wisely—love doesn’t need a price tag.

When we remember that Christmas is about Christ, not cash, the noise fades—and peace takes over the streets again.

⌨ ᴛʸᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᴏᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʙˡᵘᵉ ᵈᵃʳᵉᵐ ᵐᵘˢⁱᶜ ᵇˡᵒᵍ

Merely Christmas • Darem Placer
Out this season on Bandcamp.

The Meh Behind the Hype—Not All Success Stories Are Meant to Inspire

Some stories shine online, but the truth behind them is quieter—and much more human.

Sometimes you read a success story online that feels like it was written to hype you up. “Young founder. Zero experience. Billion-dollar company.” It sounds like a superhero trailer. But when you look closer, the excitement fades. The magic drops. The story becomes… meh.

And that’s okay. It just means real life is louder than the marketing.

Most viral success stories skip the parts that don’t fit the poster. They don’t mention the comfortable upbringing, early connections, family support, or the safety net that made every mistake less risky. They make the journey look like a barefoot uphill climb—even when the person actually had good shoes from the start.

When you hear “founder with zero experience,” what you don’t hear is “had a strong team,” “had access to mentors,” or “had time and money to experiment without fear.” Once you see the whole picture, the story feels different. More realistic. Less magical.

Not every success story is meant to inspire you. Some are simply case studies. Good decisions. Good timing. Good support. Solid work. Worth respecting but not life-changing.

And that’s fine. Sometimes the “meh” is the lesson. It reminds you not to compare your life to someone else’s highlight reel. It tells you that you’re not late. You’re not failing. And you don’t need to become a “19-year-old billionaire” to have a meaningful path.

Maybe the real inspiration isn’t in copying someone else’s story. Maybe it’s in accepting that every path has its own hidden support—and yours will have its own too.

So the next time you read a shiny, polished story, take a second look. See past the hype. Look for the real human parts. And if it turns out there’s nothing there—just promotion wrapped in sparkle? Smile and say, “Meh.” Then go make your own story—the one that doesn’t need polish to feel true.

⌨ ᴛʸᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᴏᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʙˡᵘᵉ ᵈᵃʳᵉᵐ ᵐᵘˢⁱᶜ ᵇˡᵒᵍ

Merely Christmas • Darem Placer
Out this season on Bandcamp.