Christmas in the Philippines

Christmas in the Philippines

Christmas is one of the most merriest and celebrated occasions in the Philippines. It’s the time where you would see how we Filipinos embrace our traditions. Starting off with the abundance of Filipino Christmas ornaments such as bright and colorful bamboo parol (star lanterns) and beautiful lights, Christmas stockings, and pine trees in most of the houses- even the simplest and smallest house has at least one to feel the Christmas spirit, lovely. It is also practiced and believed that attending the 9-day pre-dawn mass or Simbang Gabi (Misa de Gallo) at the church would make your wish come true on the year to come. Wanna try getting up four o’ clock in the morning for nine consecutive days of pre-dawn mass? It’s fun.

Dine in the Filipino Way

Christmas eve in the here in the Philippines is celebrated after attending the Misa de Gallo, where as its a night without sleep celebrating Jesus' birthday. I would say, the table is in abundant of Filipino traditional food such as;


Puto bumbong
Bibingka
Arrozcaldo with pork and tofu (Chicken rice soup)
Lechon (Pan-fried roast pork)
Suman (cooked with rice and rolled in sugar)
Kare-kare (oxtail stew with peanut butter sauce)
Okoy (shrimp with squash snack)
Hot Chocolate
Salabat (ginger tea)
Rellenong Bangus (Baked stuffed milkfish)
Sliced Bread
Barbeque
Adobo (pork or chicken)
Lumpia (spring rolls)
Pancit

Did I miss a thing? oh, and pasta. My family just loved my pasta when I cook it for them. It only happens once in a blue moon. ;-) Most of us also served cakes be it native or western style. Afterall, Filipino Christmas tradition is a combined western and native. I almost forgot to mention above is the Philippines' famous San Miguel Beer, gin and all sort of liquors are also part of the Christmas tradition. The celebration continues until about 6 o' clock in the morning. Very intoxicating huh? But sure is a filipino way!

Some families may choose to exchange gifts at this time; others wait until Christmas day. My kids used to open their presents on Christmas Eve. My daughter, Kitty, already wrote a letter to "Santa" I think three weeks ago or so. She is way too excited to see what's in store for her. Same as with western countries, yes, however, there is no snow here. But that's okay.

Generally, what we do on Christmas day is attend Mass in the morning and then wait for the rest of the family from afar to come and celebrate with us. So then, we'll all gather and eat and be merry. Kids will get to do the "Mano Po" gestures (somekind of showing respect to the elders) and in return, they usually get candies, money or presents. A day of family gathering, closeness and sharing, wishing everyone joy and good year to come.