By Lesley Ann Pizzaro & Jassem Nilong
Layout by Suzanne Pagkaliwangan
Philippines is known to have the world’s longest Christmas season. When the –ber months hit
the calendar it is already considered as the start of Christmas. Philippines has its own traditions when
they celebrate Christmas. These are the following:
Parol is the most popular decoration in the Philippines which can be seen in almost all houses in the
country when the yuletide season comes. It’s traditionally made from bamboo strips and colored
Japanese paper or cellophane paper. It represents the star that guided the wise men to the birth of
Jesus.
Simbang gabi or Misa de Gallo,is held on December 16 to December 24 every year. A traditional
Filipino event in which a series of nine masses are held over nine nights. It was believed that if you
complete the nine masses, one of your wishes will come true.
Pamasko also known as aguinaldo, monito monita, and kris kringle, Filipinos received gifts from their
classmates, friends, relatives, and parents. This is often done in classrooms, before a Christmas break,
they would set up a Christmas-themed party and the main activity is the exchanging of gifts.
Bibingka at Puto bumbong are two of the popular Christmas foods that is offered in many streets in
the Philippines during the yuletide season. After simbang gabi
nobody forgets to buy at foods stands near the church. Bibingka is a rice cake with
coconut milk, sugar, eggs, and baking powder while puto bumbong is a purple
rice cooked by stuffing it into a bamboo tube and steamed. It is usually eaten
with butter, brown or white sugar and coconut flakes.
Bisperas ng Pasko or Christmas Eve, Filipino towns commemorate Joseph
and Mary’s search for a place to stay with a reenactment called
panunuluyan.
Noche Buena, this is known to be the grand family dinner. It is the
traditional time for families to have a festive meal. The family’s table will
be filled with Christmas foods like lechon, keso de bola, suman, biko, fruit
salad, cake and many more. Visits to the godparents and relatives, is
usually done by the children on the morning of Christmas day. They will
go to their ninang’s or ninong’s house to get their aguinaldos. Filipinos
have their own ways to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Indeed, foreigners
and natives alike will surely come home for this most awaited time
of the year!
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