Christmas Traditions in the Philippines
Source : Wikipedia
The other day, i was telling my Burmese colleague about the Christmas Memories i had since i was young. I learned that they don’t really celebrate Christmas since they are buddhist. They don’t put up Christmas Trees & decors and they don’t believe in Santa Claus.
For us Filipinos and Catholics, we could not imagine celebrating Christmas without all of these traditions. That’s why we always try our very best to come home during the holidays to be with family.
Christmas is the biggest holiday celebrated in the Philippines. We have the world’s longest Christmas Celebration, from September to January. Many of the early traditions were influenced by other countries like US, Spain and Europe. However over time, Filipino Traditions have taken a life of their own, making Christmas Celebration in the Philippines very unique!
Let’s count the ways…
1. Some people put up their Christmas trees as early as September 1. It’s “ber” season na! My previous post on Christmas trees around the metro, click here.
2. For nine days preceding Christmas, usually starting on December 16, everyone attends the “Simbang Gabi.” I honestly have not completed this!
3. Aside from Christmas trees, we have our very own “Parol” or Christmas Lantern.
4. Exchange Gift on Christmas Eve or the morning after among immediate families.
5. Santa Claus - As a child, i always believed that if was well behaved all year Santa will give me what i wished for.
6. Bibingka (rice flour and egg based cake, cooked using coals on top of and under the pastry) and Puto Bumbong (a purple sticky rice delicacy which is steamed in bamboo tubes)
7. Noche Buena - also know as Christmas Eve feast. Consists of Filipino Foods, Christmas Ham, Quezo de Bola, Fruits and of course the immense LOVE among family during this festive season.
8. Christmas Parties - organized by Schools and Offices. Can be a reunion of all sorts. Food is usually by contribution or potluck.
9. Christmas Caroling - children and/or Adults gathered in groups going from house to house and singing Christmas Carols.
- Sa maybahay, ang aming bati:
- “Merry Christmas na maluwalhati!”
- Ang pag-ibig, ‘pag siya’y naghari
- Araw-araw ay magiging Pasko lagi!!
- Chorus:
- Ang sanhi po, ng pagparito,
- Ay hihingi po ng aginaldo.
- Kung sakaling, kami’y perwisyo;
- Pasensya na kayo’t kami’y namamasko!!
10. Christmas Bazaars - A venue consisting of shop or stalls selling Christmas Gift items. Below is a list of bazaars in the Philippines from Spot.ph.
- Karl Edwards Bazaar
NBC Tent, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City
December 1 to 2, 8 to 9, 15 to 23 - The Victoria Towers Bazaar
Victoria Towers, Mezzanine Level, Timog Ave. cor. Panay Ave., Quezon City
December 1 to 23 - Grand Bazaar 2009 @ The Big Tent
Holy Spirit Drive, Don Antonio, Quezon City
December 4 to 6, 11 to 13, 18 to 23 - Luxury Factory Sale
Function Room, Bellagio Condominium Building, Forbes Town Road corner Burgos Circle, Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
December 4 and 5, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. - Bohemian Market Weekend Bazaar
December 5 to 6 (10 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
The Serenity Place, Westgate Center, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City - Big Star Bazaar ‘09
Lores Plaza, Antipolo City
December 5-6, 12-13 - Four Seasons Fair
Forbes Town Showroom, 26th Street corner Rizal Drive, Crescent Park West District, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
December 9 to 24 - VGCOM’s Season’s Super Buys!
Glorietta 3 Park Tent, Makati City
December 11 to 20 - Santa’s Christmas Bazaar @ La Vista Year 4
La Vista Clubhouse, Katipunan, Quezon City
December 12 to 13 - Tiangge sa Dona
Doña Juana Subd., Cental Park Multi-Purpose Hall, C. Raymundo Ave, Barangay Ugong, Pasig City
December 5 to 6, 19 to 20 - The Holiday Rush
Christ the King, Greenmeadows, Quezon City
December 12 to 13, 19 to 20, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. - American Women’s Bazaar
World Trade Center, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City
December 1
Contact: American Women’s Club of the Philippines
850-0901 - Christmas Bazaar
Glorietta Park Tent, Ayala Center, Makati City
December 11 – 30
Contact: VGCOM c/o Joanne Fernando-Tamayo
0919-600-7567 / 706-1889 local 14 - Christmas Flea Market
People’s Village, Tiendesitas, Frontera Verde, Pasig City
December 10 – January 10
Contact: Las Islas c/o Eugene Paguio
826-8162 - Fab Finds Bazaar @ Eastwood City
Eastwood Central Plaza, Eastwood City, Libis, Quezon City December 11 – 13, 18 – 20
Contact: MBCI c/o Myren Garcia
0917-540-8697 / 0922-882-1075 / 710-3711 - Four Seasons Pre-Christmas Bazaar
The Bellevue Manila, North Bridgeway, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City
December 12 – 13
9:00AM – 7:00PM
Contact: 0926-632-0202 - Gift Lab: The Great Holiday Bazaar
Rockwell Tent, Powerplant Mall, Makati City
December 5 – 6
Contact: Sharlene Tan 0917-5280626 / Anne Go – 2113804 - Greenmeadows Christmas Bazaar
Greenmeadows Clubhouse, Pasig City
December 19 – 20, 10:00AM – 7:00PM
Contact: Claudine Baron
211-0685 / (0917)863-6633 - Holiday Madness Bazaar!
Cubao Expo, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City
December 19 – 20
Contact: Sandy Allan
0917-522-2100 / 0922-831-6670 - Noel Bazaar & Christmas Shop Expo
World Trade Center, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City
December 18 – 20
Contact: Cut Unlimited c/o Aprille C. Robles
687-3292 / 0917-885-8127 - Noel Bazaar: The Special Edition
A. Venue Hall, Antel Lifestyle City, Makati Avenue, Makati City
December 5 – 6
Contact: Cut Unlimited c/o Aprille C. Robles
687-3292 / 0917-885-8127 - Paskong Pinoy
Manila Ocean Park, Quirino Grandstand, One Rizal Park, Luneta, Manila
Dec 1 – December 31
Contact: Great Links Events Management; Jim Reeder and and Yolly Marin
824-3247/ 986-3786 - The 9th World Bazaar Festival
World Trade Center, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
December 4 – 16
Contact: Worldbex Services International c/o Armand Bernardino
531-3615 / 531-6350 - The Network for Enterprising Women Bazaar
Delicacies Village, Tiendesitas, Frontera Verde, Pasig City
December 5 – 6
Contact: 0917-540-8697/ 0922-882-1075/ 986-3580/ 754-8058 - Zonta Club of Alabang Christmas Carnivale Bazaar
Cuenca Courts, Ayala Alabang Village, Alabang, Muntinlupa City
December 5 – 6
Contact: Joanne (215-5376) - Valle Verde 5 Mega Xmas Bazaar
Valle Verde 5, Ortigas, Pasig
December 19 to 20
Enjoy shopping!!! Meanwhile, i will be going to Orchard later to finish my Christmas list! Excited! ☺☺☺
