Cover Photo by Rodion Kutsaiev (Unsplash)
Photo by Rodion Kutsaiev (Unsplash)
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A Pre-Holiday Special: What makes Christmas BIG in the Philippines
It is undeniable that everyone looks forward to the holidays. For the working class, a longer period of rest than what the weekends can offer. For the academe, a pause from all the imposed knowledge. For the homebodies, another set of lazy days or two. But we all know that the seasons holds greater meaning than it seems—a time for family traditions, catching up with your friends, or simply being in the same space with your loved ones.
And there is no other perfect holiday for that than Christmas, a sacred religious festival and worldwide cultural sensation commemorating the birth of Jesus. What actually makes it more special are the countless customs each and every one of us does and this is relatively the case for Filipinos. Philippines is one of Asia’s principal Catholic countries and two days at most of December to celebrate the nativity is too short for the Pinoys.
See also: Celebrating a Grand Christmas
For starters, it became common practice that the anticipation for the holiday begins early in September up to December. Filipinos all around the globe make sure to spread the Christmas spirit once the first of the otherwise known “BER months” starts. And sometimes the festivity even lasts until late January. Christmas trees and ornaments are brought out from storage, lights and extravagant displays are featured in and out of the houses, getaway and staycation bookings are in the works, shopping and gifts are in mind, and vacation plans from left and right are in place. Party themes are also schemed, reconnection with relatives is initiated, and reconciliation with peers or those who couldn’t spend time together pushes through. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, indeed.
Above Photo by Mathias Reding (Pexels)
Photo by Mathias Reding (Pexels)
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Additionally, the exciting part of Christmas commences on the night of Simbang Gabi. The series of Night Mass or Misa De Gallo—precisely scheduled a week before Christmas—where people gather to churches close to their homes to attend a mass and then savour the native Pinoy delicacies such as bibingka and puto bumbong being sold by vendors around the area.
Christmas in the Philippines wouldn’t be the same without coming home to long nights of dinners surrounded by your family members. Whether they’ve been with you throughout the year, or they temporarily came home, you can expect their presence to be with you on Christmas Eve. Around midnight, families are already rounded up on a table with a feast in front of them. The Noche Buena staples are hot chocolate, fruit salad, queso de bola, ham, and exquisite wines. Completing the occasion are the endless tunes of Christmas songs and carolers singing on the doorsteps of residents with their makeshift instruments and surprising performances. Everyone’s in a festive mood while they spend the holidays in comfort and fun without the worry of tomorrow’s reality just yet.
The previous years in light of the crisis placed a pause on these traditions; made them different, quiet, and subtly difficult to bear. But now that we’ve eased into the aftermath of the pandemic, the resilience of the Pinoys found a way to celebrate if not through their usual activities, new and refreshing ones.
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Kristina's passion to write came from her love for books. If her nose isn't buried in one nor her fingers are tapping away on a keyboard working on a write-up, you'll find her having a feast at a new restaurant or savouring coffee in the nearest shop listening to rock music. Also interested in computer games and all things Japan, she spends her free time playing Dota 2, watching anime, as well as reading manga.
