By: Ma. Concepcion V. Del Rosario & Sheryl Lou M. Balingit (Malaysia Airlines, Philippines)

Caroling

IT’S CHRISTMAS YEAR ROUND!

The start of the “ber” months signals Christmas is drawing near, with as much as the cold winds brought about by Amihan – thus, the start of the Christmas count down. December 16 marks the start of the season, with the Simbang gabi, until the first Sunday of January, Feast of the Three Kings, the official end of the season.

ONLY IN THE PHILIPPINES

Where in the world can you find the longest and merriest Christmas celebration in the world – only here in the Philippines. The Philippines is also the only Asian country where Christians predominate. Majority of Filipinos are Catholics. Therefore, Christmas is an extremely important and most revered holiday for most Filipinos.

Christmas here is very much unique even though the celebration is a mixture of Western and native Filipino traditions, Santa Claus, the Christmas tree, sending Christmas cards, and singing carols – all inherited from Western culture.

Parol

Policarpio St. Mandaluyong

Even without snow or just few pine trees, the Christmas season is greatly felt in the Philippines. Children’s voices fill the air with old time favorite Filipino Christmas carols they sang as they go house to house. Even the older generation goes about caroling as well. Even Christmas decorations are everywhere. The star of the Christmas is not only the Christmas tree but also the Christmas star locally known as the Parol. It is common to see these lanterns hanging in the malls, to offices, and even in the modest Filipino homes. Some places even host a Parol-making contest where people create many light displays even bigger than houses. The famed Policarpio Streets in Madaluyong. These lanterns are considered to be essential Christmas decorations in the Philippines together with the Belen. While these lanterns display dazzling colorful lights, the Belen portrays the image of the Holy Family in a stable where Jesus was born.

Belen

Simbang gabi

Other Filipino traditions would include the Simbang Gabi - which literally means night worship. December 16 marks the beginning of the Catholic Tradition Misa de Gallo, a.k.a. "midnight mass" or "mass of the rooster". It comes from the Catholic custom of gathering for celebration of the Eucharist in the pre-dawn hours of each of the nine days before Christmas. Throughout the country, Catholic churches ring their bells around 3:00 or 3:30 in the morning before the roosters’ crow. Many urban parishes now celebrate Simbang Gabi around 8 or 9 in the evening in order to accommodate the needs of people from varying work schedules.

bibingka

Puto bumbong

When it comes to good eats, Puto bumbong, bibingka and hot tea are among the crowd’s favorite native holiday treats during these cold December nights of congregation.

This is a religious Christmas tradition that has been passed on through centuries, a proof of the depth of Catholicism in the hearts of Filipinos. Popular belief says that with the completion of the masses, one is entitled to have his/her wish granted.

Christmas is also a time for parties and multitude of celebrations. Companies would normally host Christmas parties as thanks giving for their employees – with invitations extended even to each one’s family. Then comes the awaited Christmas Eve (24th). This is often celebrated by families at home enjoying a Christmas dinner at midnight. This tradition is called Noche Buena. Families and friends gather for thanksgiving and for a time to be together. Gifts would usually be given during this time or Christmas morning. Christmas serves a reunion for some, a time for Godparents to give aguinaldo to their inaanaks.  The first Sunday of January, Feast of the Three Kings, witnesses the official end of the season.

"A Merry Christmas & Happy New Year"