Oh how I miss how we celebrate our Christmas in the Philippines, I hope your interested, because I'm gonna share some of the traditions our country partake during this season!
We also use Christmas lights, and other usual decorations, usually, some people set up a Christmas Tree, cause we don't have snowman since it doesn't snow in the Philippines. And of course, as humanly as possible, we also have Christmas parties and exchange gifts at office and schools.
Christmas in the Philippines is one of the most lengthy celebration of Christmas as far as I know. Just when BER months arrive, you can feel people are starting to prepare for the coming season. So why and how are we celebrating this season too long? I'm gonna share you now!
As a Catholic, we attend Rooster's mass starting December 16, usually at around 4:00 am in the morning. And yeah I didn't get it wrong, it's exactly 4:00 am! This is a 9 day devotion to show faith and anticipation for the coming of Christ (which is the real reason why celebrate Christmas).
Then in our country, specially at provinces, as soon as December starts, expect that children in groups will be out walking at night. Not sleep walking! They are fully awake and they are gonna carry some tambourines or little drum toys and serenade your house with Tagalog (Filipino) Christmas carols. Of course, they won't do that for free, in return you should give them some changes or coins.
Then you'll notice that Parols are everywhere, at every house or porches. Parols are those decoration of different sizes with a shape of a star. Some parols have bulbs light inside so that it will look like lanterns at night!
After the 9 days mass, the church will finally announce the Christmas Day! And every family will go home and celebrate Christmas Eve or Noche Buena as what we call it. We have the usual Filipino delicacies served in buffet style, but what stand outs the most (or may I say foods that would be impossible if not written on the menu) are these:
And lastly we celebrate Three Kings, every January 6. Some children in the family will leave their shoes outside so that the Kings will leave gifts on their shoes. Those are the Three Kings who visit Jesus upon his birth. This celebration refers to the Christmas carol "Twelve Days of Christmas". which is the length of Jesus birth and the arriving of the kings.
So hope you enjoy my presentation about it, and tell me if ever your familiar with anything! :)
Photo Source: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,
We also use Christmas lights, and other usual decorations, usually, some people set up a Christmas Tree, cause we don't have snowman since it doesn't snow in the Philippines. And of course, as humanly as possible, we also have Christmas parties and exchange gifts at office and schools.
Christmas in the Philippines is one of the most lengthy celebration of Christmas as far as I know. Just when BER months arrive, you can feel people are starting to prepare for the coming season. So why and how are we celebrating this season too long? I'm gonna share you now!
Then in our country, specially at provinces, as soon as December starts, expect that children in groups will be out walking at night. Not sleep walking! They are fully awake and they are gonna carry some tambourines or little drum toys and serenade your house with Tagalog (Filipino) Christmas carols. Of course, they won't do that for free, in return you should give them some changes or coins.
After the 9 days mass, the church will finally announce the Christmas Day! And every family will go home and celebrate Christmas Eve or Noche Buena as what we call it. We have the usual Filipino delicacies served in buffet style, but what stand outs the most (or may I say foods that would be impossible if not written on the menu) are these:
Hamon or the usual hams
that are marinade in brown sugar and pineapples
Queso de Bola, it is a Edam cheese,
a ball shape dutch cheese coated with red wax.
Pancit or Noodles, this is almost
always served during Christmas time for Filipino
Roasted Chest nut, you would notice be sold by vendors on the street
Bibingka and Puto Bungbong, partners in crime,
both are rice cake associated always during Christmas season.
Leche flan - it's a dessert and a rich caramel custard, and my personal favorite
Fruitcakes - that is usually made with native fruits
end of menu
And lastly we celebrate Three Kings, every January 6. Some children in the family will leave their shoes outside so that the Kings will leave gifts on their shoes. Those are the Three Kings who visit Jesus upon his birth. This celebration refers to the Christmas carol "Twelve Days of Christmas". which is the length of Jesus birth and the arriving of the kings.
So hope you enjoy my presentation about it, and tell me if ever your familiar with anything! :)
Photo Source: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,
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