When asked when should you start to celebrate the spirit of Christmas some would say “December” however when a Filipino answers it will always be “BER months”. When it comes to celebrating Christmas, no one does it best than the Filipinos. Filipinos or Pinoys are also known to celebrate the longest season in the world in addition you will already feel the spirit of Christmas in the Philippines as early as September. Once in the ‘ber’ months, Pinoys begins to slowly decorate their houses, establishments, and streets with the biggest and brightest Christmas trees and varieties of colorful lights.
How do they celebrate Christmas?
To start, no Filipino family would be seen without any star parols or lanterns and Christmas trees in their household. It would either be bought from the malls during the year or previously used decorations over a decade.
Next is carolling. A few weeks or months before Christmas day, children, teens and adults would travel from town to town with their beautiful handmade musical instruments that was recycled from caps of bottles and anticipating some coins from the householders after offering their Christmas carols.
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For employees of private as well as government agencies get their Christmas bonuses with a lot of souvenir items, red wines, rice, and a basket of goodies for the Noche Buena. They also conduct a party one week before Christmas with food and games.
The Simbang Gabi, or also known as Misa de Gallo, is a solemn practice that shows how Filipinos value their faith. It is essentially a novena of morn masses that would start from the 16th of December and end on Christmas Eve. It is a believed that when you finish attending all mass then one prayer would be granted by the Divine Being.
Finally the Noche Buena is a feast in which family members gather and eat together at around midnight. Most families would also celebrate their yearly reunion during Noche Buena, as it is the time of the year when everyone in the family is present. Aside from dining together, Noche Buena is also the time families open their Christmas presents.
Romula P. Gravador
MT 1, Tubigon Elementary School
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