18/12/2019
" CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS IN THE PHILIPPINES"
The Philippines is popularly known for having the world’s longest and merriest Christmas season. Every year, Filipinos from around the world mark September 1 as the beginning of the countdown to Christmas. This countdown, which spans from September to December, otherwise known as the "Ber Months". When they hear of the “ber” months, people already feel the Christmas-vibe. Imagine, Filipinos celebrating the holiday for four months, starting from September until early January when the Epiphany, or the Feast of the Three Kings, is celebrated.
Even before the month of December arrives, Christmas songs are already being played on the radio or in the malls and Christmas trees, lights and decors are already sold in the market. This is how early the spirit of Christmas can be felt in the Philippines. You can already hear Christmas music playing everywhere; children going around the neighborhood singing Christmas carols in front of every house; and would hear people saying, “Christmas na!”, though it is still two months away.
Most of the time people are encouraged to participate in this series of “simbang gabi” or "Misa De Gallo" because of the belief that if one completes the nine mornings of epiphany; one wish shall be granted to them. Filipinos go to church at 4 o’clock in the morning and afterward have breakfast together. The traditional drink during this season is a warm ginger tea, called salabat, and the traditional treats are bibingka and p**o bumbong sold outside churches after the dawn Mass.
The Christmas parties which Filipinos are also fond of organizing are also classified in many celebrations.
The school and office party which is usually celebrated one week before Christmas is different from the party which is meant only for the family. These parties usually serve as a reunion wherein relatives outside the country reunite with their family here in the Philippines.
Christmas is for the children, a most-awaited day because it’s the day for them to visit their uncles, aunts, godmothers and godfathers and relatives who present them with gifts, usually candies, a toy or crisp bills of money called "aginaldo".
While we live by many traditions to celebrate Christmas, may we continue to remember and celebrate the true essence of Christmas: “THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST”