Time for another round of Lyndon Speaks.
Exactly one more week before the
much-awaited celebration of the year - Christmas! As Filipinos, we
put so much effort into each celebration that we have, most
especially Christmas. Christmas comes only once a year but Filipinos
do not forget the traditions that we observe during this season.
Why not look into these traditions and
share these with our friends from different countries and let them
decide if Christmas is really more fun in the Philippines.
The longest Christmas season
eveeeeeeeeer!
Philippines may have the longest
Christmas season in the world. It starts when the calendar displays
the first month that ends with BER - September and ends not on
Christmas day, not even on the last day of December. The Filipino
Christmas ends on the Feast of the Three Kings which is in January of
the following year. During this more than 4 months of celebration,
the Christmas air is felt all around the country.
Misa de Gallo
The Simbang Gabi (Night Mass) is a
Filipino tradition that was passed down by the Spaniards. This starts
on the 16th of December and runs for 9 days (or nights) up until
Christmas Eve. Filipinos try to attend and complete these because it
was believed that your wishes will come true.
Bibingka and Puto Bumbong
After the Simbang Gabi, Filipino
families (and couples) go directly to the sidewalk vendors outside of
the churches to buy their favorite Christmas foods: the Bibingka and
Puto Bumbong. Both translated as Rice Cake - correct me if I'm wrong
-, these Filipino Christmas best-sellers are to die for.
Caroling
Every Filipino kid comes to an age
where they collect softdrink bottle caps, put them together, go out
of the streets, and sing Christmas Carols at each house. In turn,
those serenaded give these kids some loose change or candies. But
beware, if you will not give anything to them, they have a song just
for you: "Thank you, thank you. Ang babarat ninyo! Thank you!"
(translated to: You are so stingy!)
Tree, Lights, Star
Each house during the Christmas season
is being decorated to please the eyes of the people who will pass by.
The Christmas Tree is usually placed inside the house where gifts are
placed before they are opened on Christmas day. The outside of the
houses are decorated (and sometimes literally being filled) with
Christmas Lights and the Parol (Christmas Star).
Party! Party!
From school and company parties to
family reunions - good food, lots of stories to share, and the time
to be with loved ones - these what make Filipino Christmas more fun!
It is also the time of the year where Filipino kids ask for aginaldo
(money as gifts) from their godfathers and godmothers. Exchanging of
gifts is also a must on Filipino Christmas parties most especially at
schools and companies. This is also the place where every one comes
in their new clothes bought just for Christmas.
There are still loads and loads of
Filipino Christmas traditions. But I guess that the most important
one of all is that Christmas is the time when Filipinos remember that
a very special child is born - Jesus Christ! And I do hope that this
one is still within each Filipinos heart.
That's it for now. May you all have a
wonderful Christmas next week!
Celebrate on!
~Lyndon Jason
