Tara! Lets Celebrate Christmas in the Philippines!

Tara! Let's Celebrate Christmas in the Philippines!

By: MOLE Antolo

Christmas spirit is in the air. Can you smell it? If you are in a beauty contest and asked "what is the essence of Christmas?" 

What would you answer in return? Hmmm... Probably “a MAJOR MAJOR gifts to come, i thank you”, funny but partly true, right? Others might think I am considerate to those people who are affected with the calamities that hit our country, Hell no! That's the reason why I am sharing this because Filipinos are Fighter, we are not the kind of species who just sat down and cry to death. After all what had happened, we get up then start to fight again and even some of us celebrate Christmas even in their smallest way.

People are so busy thinking where and how to spend Christmas. Gifts are raining everywhere specially for the children. We are so busy decorating our houses and thinking what gifts to give.  Though some of us hated Christmas for this maybe because of the big letter “B”- budget or maybe they are lack of money and think they are poorer than the others.

But for most Filipinos, they celebrate Christmas with or without plenty of money in any possible way they can. As early as September, Christmas songs fill almost all the radio station, some decorate their houses with Christmas décor ignoring the passing of Halloween and amaze our eyes with their colorful Christmas lights.

Here are some Filipino ways of celebrating Christmas which makes us different from the other countries:

• Parol or Filipino Christmas Lantern   

As early as September some Filipinos adorned colorful Lantern on their houses, offices, school and even shopping malls. A Filipino lantern often made out of creativity of Filipinos, some are made of Capiz, bamboo wrap in colorful art papers or even recycle materials.

• Simbang Gabi

 A Filipino Christmas tradition of 9 masses, start at 16th of December, and Filipinos start attending mass at 4:00 am and ends at midnight 24th of December. There are old saying that if you complete the 9 series of mass, whatever your prayers will come true.

• Monita/Monita  or Exchange Gifts 

 A Filipino tradition of gift giving and a Filipino version of Kris Kringle.

• Christmas Caroling in the Philippines 

Filipinos are known as lover of music, even youngsters. As soon as Simbang Gabi starts, children jump from house to another singing Christmas carols and exchange of their wonderful songs the house owner gave them something in return a coins or a bread.

• Christmas tree

Traditional way of making Christmas tree, made from different kinds of local materials since Pine trees are not available in most places here in the Philippines. Decorate it with colorful lights.

Filipinos consider this as the counter part of Thanks Giving celebration.

• Noche Buena 

A very special occasion for Filipinos, a feast on Christmas Eve, rich or poor. A family reunion of immediate distant family member and good time to drink. A Filipino family tradition not only about food but traditions of a Filipino close family ties. Suman sa ibos (sticky rice wrapped in coconut leaves), Leche flan (egg custard) are the popular desert during this season.

A very wondrous season to celebrate the power of love and to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. So enjoy Christmas in Filipino way and be merry all year round!

source: Christmas in the Philippines by mmdelrosario