Christmas in The Philippines

Christmas customs in the Philippines may seem very unusual to Americans and Europeans, and that’s no wonder.

The Philippines is the only Asian country with over 90% Christian population.

The first Christmas celebrations in the Philippines started only in the 16th century when Spanish colonists took over the country.

That’s why so many modern Philippine Christmas traditions are influenced by Spanish culture.

For Filipinos, the Christmas season isn’t about shopping or watching holiday movies.

Philippine Christmas festivities revolve around religious observances and expressing love gratitude to loved ones.

Early Celebration Start

People in the Philippines start Christmas celebrations early – perhaps, even earlier than Americans.

Maybe Filipinos place special significance on this religious holiday, or maybe they just love any excuse to party – either way, the Christmas season officially starts in September.

The period from September to Christmas Eve is called the Ber months and is considered the world’s longest Christmas season.

Christmas in the Philippines is known as Pasko, and as soon as the calendar shows September 1, Filipinos begin decorating their houses and streets, telling each other Maligayang Pasko (Merry Christmas), and cooking holiday foods.

Perhaps, such an early start of the Christmas season is related to the lack of particularly cold weather in the Philippines. Filipinos don’t have to wait until the first snow falls out to feel the holiday spirit.

The Christmas season in the Philippines not only starts earlier but also ends later than in most countries, on the third or fourth weeks of February. Thus, Christmas in the Philippines is celebrated for nearly half a year.

Christmas Songs & Carols

Caroling is an ancient Christmas tradition observed around the world.

It originated in Britain back in pagan times but has spread throughout Europe in the Middle Ages. It eventually got into Spain and further to the Philippines during colonial times.

Christmas carols in the Philippines are called pangangaroling and are different from those sung by American or British kids. They are traditionally sung in Filipino or Spanish and accompanied by a tambourine melody.

The most popular Philippine Christmas carols are “Namamasko po!” and “Sa maybahay ang aming bati.” After the performance, Filipino children usually expect some coins or treats in return.

Simbang Gabi

Simbang Gabi, known as Roosters Mass or Gift Mass, is the period of dawn Masses from December 16 to Christmas Eve observed in the Philippines. The Masses usually begin at four o’clock in the morning.

The practice of attending church for devotional series of Masses during nine consecutive days is called novena, derived from Latin for nine.

The Philippines isn’t the only country observing novena tradition – for instance, in Puerto Rico, it’s called Misa de Aguinaldo.

The history of Simbang Gabi stems from the 17th century when the Spanish ruled over the Philippines.

Like most Europeans, the Spanish attended church for Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. However, Philippine farmers used to go to sleep very early and wake up before sunrise for work.

Philippine priests saw that people still attended the church for Midnight Mass but were exhausted after a day spent working hard in the fields.

Simbang Gabi was introduced as an alternative to the Midnight Mass, allowing local farmers to celebrate the birth of Christ without having to change their schedules. The first-ever novena Mass was held in 1669.

During the Spanish Era, Philippine parishioners used to offer those attending the Mass rice, eggs, and vegetables.

Afterward, people would indulge in holiday treats such as rice cakes, pastry, and hot chocolate. However, today, holiday delicacies are available for the parishioners right during the Mass.

Belen

At Christmas time, all houses, stores, churches, and cafes in the Philippines feature the nativity scene known as Belen. Like many other Christmas traditions, Belen was introduced by Spanish Franciscans in the 17th century.

Belen is not much different from nativity scenes we’re used to seeing in the USA – it traditionally depicts a manger with baby Jesus surrounded by shepherds and figures of Mary and Joseph. Sometimes, the Three Kings are also present.

Parol

Parol is another Philippine Christmas decoration, a star-shaped lantern that in the early days was made from bamboo strips and covered with Japanese paper or cellophane paper. The word parol is derived from Spanish for a lantern, farol.

Parol is nearly as important in the Philippines as the Christmas tree is in the USA. It’s meant to represent the Star of Bethlehem that guided the Three Kings or Magi to Jesus. Parol is usually hung outside of the house or in the window.

Initially, parol was used to guide local people on their way to novena Masses that started early in the morning.

Of course, at that time, parol was made with real candles rather than electric lights. But as centuries passed, the decoration design and construction evolved.

Traditionally, parol features a five-pointed star shape, but four, eight, and ten-pointed stars are also common.

Today, they are made from various materials in creative shapes, and local schools and communities host parol-making contests every year. The largest parol festival is held in San Fernando, where you can see hundreds of giant colorful stars.

Gift-Giving

Like nearly all Christians around the globe, Filipinos exchange gifts on Christmas. However, Filipino children don’t hang stockings on the fireplace waiting for Santa to come. Instead, gifts are put under the Christmas tree.

Some gift-giving traditions in the Philippines are quite unique. For instance, Filipinos participate in a gift exchange game called Monito-Monita. It’s a variation of the Secret Santa game, but even more fun.

First, names of participants written on pieces of paper are put into a hat or bowl and drawn for random distribution, like in any secret gift exchange.

But unlike the USA version of Secret Santa, Monito-Monita involves nine gifts instead of one.

The gifts for each day are themed – for example, on the first day, everyone should receive something fluffy, on the second day – something sweet, and on the third day – something funny.

The gifts are presented throughout the novena season, from December 16 to Christmas Eve.

Another notable tradition in the Philippines is that children receive gifts not only from their biological parents but also from their godparents. Giving a gift to your godchild is considered an important social obligation.

Traditionally, children under the age of 12 visit their godparents on Christmas Eve morning. They then entertain their godparents with poems, songs, or dancing.

Philippine etiquette states that gifts should be opened in private. Filipinos tend to exchange either deeply sentimental or highly practical gifts; there’s no in-between.

Panunulúyan

In some parts of the Philippines, people re-enact Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem during the novena period. This tradition is known as Panunulúyan and involves two actors portraying Mary and Joseph walking from house to house.

The actors would ask the homeowners for lodging, and the homeowners must traditionally turn them away, saying that their house is already full. The performance ends at the local parish church where a Belen is set up.

Christmas Food

Philippine Christmas food is very different from American but no less delicious.

The local alternative to Christmas turkey is called Lechon, a whole pig slowly roasted over charcoal, remaining juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside.

Another notable Philippine Christmas dish is Pinoy-style spaghetti with sausage slices and ground beef. Brown sugar, tomato puree, and banana ketchup sauce makes the dish truly special.

Some eat Pancit Malabon, a stir-fried noodle dish with annatto seeds, an array of seafood, and eggs.

While most Christmas dishes around the world tend to be savory and indulgent, the Philippines have something to offer even for those observing a strict diet.

So, lumpiang ubod is a spring roll with vegetables, coconut flakes, and shrimp in vinegar sauce.

Like Americans and Europeans, Filipinos eat Christmas ham. One important distinction between Philippine and American ham recipes is the glaze – Filipinos make it with pineapple juice for a distinctly fruity, tropical flavor.

Filipinos don’t stop to surprise tourists when it comes to finger foods. Roasted chestnuts known as castanas are Filipino-favorite holiday treat sold at all Christmas markets around the country.

Philippine Christmas desserts are just as unique as the main courses. The most unusual dessert is puto bumbong – purple rice cakes made with coconut milk and brown sugar.

Puto bumbong acquires its purple color because it’s made from black rice and purple yam.

Bibingka is another interesting rice cake variation baked in a clay pot lined with leaves. It’s often topped with cheese, butter, coconut, or salted egg slices.

Rice desserts were prepared in the Philippines even before colonial times.

But under Spanish influence, Filipinos also adopted European recipes, such as Leche flan – a custard cake made from milk, egg yolk, condensed milk, and sugar.

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