Christmas is truly near. Even if it’s not the Christmas season, Christmas is always in everyone’s heart. Christmas in the Philippines is way unique, perhaps compared to other countries. No other country celebrates Christmas in the world as the way we do in the Philippines! Splendid – is one of the countless words that describe the experience and vibe of Christmas in the Philippines. Many are fond and joyful about the way Filipinos celebrate Christmas in the Philippines. Whether you’re on an out-of-town trip, on your own home, or in a condo living in the Philippines, there are so many ways that will make you love more this season. But first, what is Christmas in the Philippines, and why does a lot of people are very much into it? How do Filipinos celebrate Christmas in the Philippines? And why is Filipino Christmas not like compared to others?
Filipinos celebrate Christmas way differently than in other countries. The length, tradition, and food – these are some of the things that make many people, especially Filipinos, look forward to Christmas celebrations in the Philippines. Filipinos are known to have the longest celebration of Christmas. Gigantic Christmas trees started to build up in and out of the establishments. Upon or even before entering the month of “-ber” months, some shops and malls are playing Christmas carols. Filipinos make this time of the year extra wonderful, from back-to-back party Christmas party celebrations and family gatherings, colorful parades, to Filipino Christmas traditions that you should have experienced! If you want to make your Christmas unique this year, here are the lists of Filipino Christmas traditions you must try!
The “Ber” Months
Setting up Christmas trees and seeing Christmas lanterns and Christmas balls in other nations are usually during December. But in the Philippines, you can start to see and experience the Christmas vibe as early as September. Christmas carols began to play inside the establishments. If you may ask how long Filipinos celebrate the Christmas season, then the answer for that is until January. Why that long if you have that question in mind? Since most Filipinos are Christians and above half of the population of people are Catholics, they celebrate The Epiphany or easily known as The Feast of the Three Kings. It is used to celebrate every first week of January.
Setting up a Belen
Belen, also known as nativity scenes in most countries, are usually set up in religious spaces, especially in churches. But in the country, you can find it anywhere. This became one of the traditions for some Filipino families that used to set up the Belen inside or outside of their homes during the festive season. The complete set of the Belen is comprised of Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, the Three Kings with the gifts in their hands, and lastly, the barn animals. Sometimes, the displays are made of either original porcelain or recycled materials.
Parol or Filipino Christmas Lantern
Having Christmas lights as decorations is one of the things that gives you the vibe that Christmas is near. Hence, Christmas lights or led lights are most used lately for aesthetic purposes. In line with this, the Philippines has its local decoration – the parol or a Filipino Christmas Lantern. Parols are traditionally big circles and come with a star in the middle. But Filipinos are very creative, so you can see so many designs these days. You can make a parol from different materials like wood, plastic, wire, or even recyclable materials.
In addition, these lanterns are not only for decorations, but some of these colorful Christmas decorations are sometimes made into a competition. Hence, if you’ll be celebrating your Christmas in the Philippines, you don’t want to miss the Giant Lantern Festivals in the Christmas Capital of the Philippines, at San Fernando in Pampanga. This festival, especially the giant lanterns, is popular not only in the country but across the world as well.
Simbang Gabi (Night Mass) / Misa de Aguinaldo
Night mass during Christmas, popularly known as Simbang Gabi, is the main tradition of the Filipinos this Christmas season. It is the Filipinos version of Misa de Aguinaldo. It is a 9-day dawn mass that is held before the celebration of Christmas day. It starts from December 16 to December 24. Moreover, there is also called Misa de Gallo, which came from the Spanish term Rooster’s Mass that is scheduled early in the morning, at 4:00 am. It has been a practice and tradition since the Spanish colonial era. There is a belief that when you complete all 9 days of Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo, you can wish for anything your heart desires, and this will be granted in time. But many people are still doing the tradition, not only to wish but to feel that the Creator is coming to us.
Christmas Food
After staying and getting up for Simbang Gabi, this is one thing that so many people are looking forward to. Eating bibingka and puto bumbong after Simbang Gabi, these traditional Christmas Foods will make you feel the vibe of a Filipino Christmas. Partnered with coffee, hot chocolate, or “salabat” (ginger tea), these are the perfect combinations to calm your nerves down from the cold breeze of December.
Another thing that makes these Christmas foods unique is the way they cook and served. These traditional Christmas foods are variations of rice cakes. Bibingka – a round flat rice cake baked in clay pots with banana leaves. It’s often cooked with cheese and salted egg as toppings and sprinkled with coconut shavings. On the other hand, puto bumbong is made with sticky glutinous rice and color purple that is steamed in bamboo tubes. The vendors often wrap bibingka and puto bumbong on banana leaves since it also gives different aromas and flavors to the food. Before, it could only be bought outside churches, but these days, these are sold inside or outside places like shopping centers and malls.
Noche Buena
This Christmas tradition is the favorite of some. Because it is the tradition where you will welcome Jesus the Creator with your loved ones. Usually, during Noche Buena or Christmas Eve, many families often held their parties since they are complete during this time. Also, this is the time when you can open up gifts under the Christmas tree. The preparation for Christmas Eve is one thing that bonds Filipino families together, and simple acts show their love for each other.
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