Christmas in the Philippines
Have you ever heard how we Filipino
celebrate Christmas?
Well, it's one of the best
and the longest celebration of Christmas.
It's in our tradition wherein we celebrate
Christmas starting December 16, wherein we start
what we called the "Simbang Gabi" it is a series
of 9 masses start at 4am. And it usually start
December 16 to December 24.
And once Simbang Gabi starts you can see group
of kids or even adult singing in front of houses
singing Christmas and owner of the house can
give them money or candy or anything in return.
And in school, they also have an exchange gift
wherein the student and their teachers
exchanging gift for it's in our belief the
Christmas is time of giving. Followed by
Christmas party and program wherein they have
some games, foods etc.
And early as September you can hear Christmas
song played in some houses already and as early
as November you can see Christmas lanterns
hanging in front of the houses, offices or malls
already together with some Christmas tree.
Christmas or what we called "Pasko" is the much
awaited and happiest celebration in the
Philippines. Wherein we believe that it's the
time of giving, a good time for family to have
get together and give gift with one another. On
the midnight of December 24, after the mass
wherein almost all the members of the family
attend, the whole family gathered together ready
with their gifts and the "Noche Buena" wherein
nice and delicious foods can be seen on the
table.
It's in our tradition of serving foods for the
family like lechon, spaghetti, ham, keso de
bola, morcon, some rice cakes, leche plan,
sliced bread and a lot more. It's really a good
chance to be with family members.
Then on December 25, all the kids are excited to
wake up early. Wear their new clothes, new shoes
and bring their big wallet or small bag. Attend
the morning mass and after visit their Ninong
(Godfather). ninang (Godmother), Grandfather,
Grandmother, Auntie and Uncle and some relatives
wherein they will "Mano" or what we called "pagmamano"
our way or one way of giving respect to our
elders. The child will going to get the one hand
of the elder and put it in his forehead saying "mano
po". And in return for it, they will going to
give gift, money, toys or some candy or
chocolates. And every house you visit on this
day will offer foods.
Christmas is really a good chance to be reunite
with distant family members and friends. At the
end of the day, Filipino Christmas is about
family closeness and everyone wishes good cheer
and glad tidings.
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