Christmas Traditions

As early as October, lanterns are hang on windows or door of every Filipino homes, offices, churches, schools and even streets are lighted with these multi-colored lanterns and Christmas lights. They also built their Christmas tree as a symbol for the countdown of Christmas. If you’re in Manila around Christmas you can enjoy all of the lights and decorations around the city like in Manila Bay and in Makati City. You can really feel the spirit of Christmas when you see these sparkling and twinkling lights that beautify those places.

Christmas is the most awaited celebration and happiest event in the Philippines. This is not just celebrating the birth of Christ, but also the season of joy, sharing, and family reunion especially those who are away from their family. Christmas is the season of gift giving. Kids get easily happy when receiving gifts from each other or from the elders. This makes them feel special. Giving gifts is one way to make someone happy and appreciated.

When I was younger, I still received these gifts which are converted to money called Aguinaldo but now that I’ve grown up, I’m shy to get those because many of us thinks that this is just for kids. Today, the most precious gift I always wanted to have is a happy and successful family.

 Simbang Gabi

Simbang Gabi or Night Worship is a Filipino tradition of having 9 days sleepless nights attending the mass as early as 4:00 a.m. in the morning. It is a gathering for celebration of the
Eucharist in the pre-dawn hours of each of the nine days before
Christmas. In our location, students present their play about birth of Christ before the mass starts and the last day of mass ends.

Noche Buena

Christmas Eve in the Philippines is traditionally celebrated with a "Noche Buena" a dinner for family to gather and eat together as they rejoice and feast the birth of Christ. Even families can’t afford to buy their dishes they do their best to be together and to have something on their table to celebrate Christmas. Salad, Lumpia, Hamon, keso de bola and barbeque are my favorites and I think that it tastes good during Christmas because you eat it with your family, cousins and friends. We also drink wine and sing in videoke just to celebrate our reunion. If we can’t meet our distant family members we can call onto them and greet them A Merry Christmas. Those Filipino abroad can’t really feel the spirit of Christmas according to my father; they’re not celebrating Christmas, they just stay at home like an ordinary day.