Christmas is the most important holiday in the Philippines, for nearly 92% of its population is Christian and 81% of its population belongs to the Roman Catholic Church. Hence, Filipinos want to celebrate this holiday as long as possible.
Christmas decorations actually start selling in September. There is a saying that once the ‘ber’ months of the year start, like September or October, then it is already the Christmas season. It is very easy to walk into a store and hear Christmas music.
Once September rolls around, Christmas trees are also being put up and everyone gets into the holiday spirit. The formal celebration, however, does not start until December 16th. This is the day that marks the first of nine early morning masses called “Misa de Gallo”. The ninth mass is held on Christmas Day.
The celebration does not end there; Christmas is still celebrated into the first Sunday of January. This Sunday is called the Feast of the Three Kings. The holiday spirit still continues to the end of January. Because of the multitude of celebrations, the semester break for students is very long.
There is a clear Western influence in the Filipino Christmas tradition. Filipino children believe in Santa Claus, and there are fake fir or spruce trees as Christmas trees, Christmas cards and even street carolers!
Carolling is very popular with younger students and church choirs, and is called pangangaroling. They go around in neighborhoods with makeshift instruments like the tambourines made from aluminum bottle caps strung on wire. The group stops by at each house to sing Western Christmas songs, like the classics heard in the United States, as well as songs from “Maligayang Pasko.”
There are a multitude of practices that are special to Filipinos as well! One of which is the “parol”, a bamboo pole or frame with a lighted star lantern in the middle of it. This is placed in the house and represents the star that guided the Three Wise Men (Kings) from the Bible. Richard Montgomery High School senior Sarah Penuela-Wermer said that her family usually hangs a parol on their window during the holiday season.
Another common decoration that can be found in a Filipino home is the “belen”, or the Nativity Scene. It is a creche, or tableau, that depicts the birth of Christ with infant Jesus in the manger surrounded by Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, their flock, the Magi and is topped by an angel and the Star. In fact, this is such a staple Christmas decoration that it can even be found in schools, office buildings, and of course, churches.
Most people also stay awake through Christmas Eve into Christmas Day by either going to mass, “Simbang Gabi,” or celebrating in a huge party called “Noche Buena.” This party is open to family, and friends, and serve traditional dishes.
In the home of Harrison Namocatcat, a senior at Richard Montgomery High School, his family prepares adobo chicken, caldereta, pancit, and halo-halo for dessert. Kevin Yuson, a senior at Richard Montgomery High School, also adds that his family likes to have honey glazed ham, pancit, and lots of pastries. Christmas in the Philippines is truly something special.
Article by MoCo Student staff writer Shane Querbin of Richard Montgomery High School