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Merry Christmas 2016 and a Happy New Year 2017 !!
Christmas:
A National Fiesta
The Philippines is known as the "Land
of Fiestas," and at
Christmas time, this is especially true. Filipinos are proud to
proclaim their Christmas celebration to be the longest and merriest in
the world. It begins formally on December 16 with attendance at the
first of nine pre-dawn or early morning masses and continues on nonstop
until the first Sunday of January, Feast of the
Three Kings, the
official end of the season.
The Philippines is the only Asian
country where Christians predominate. Majority of its people are Roman
Catholic. Christmas, therefore, is an extremely important and revered
holiday for most Filipinos. It is a time for family, for sharing, for
giving, and a time for food, fun, and friendship.
To most Filipinos,
Christmas is the most anticipated fiesta of the year and is celebrated
accordingly. The splendid climate of this tropical island nation,
the abundance and beauty of its flowers, and lovely landscape, its
multitude of culinary delights, and above all its warm-hearted people
with their true devotion to
family and faith all contribute to a holiday celebrated in the true
Philippines fiesta tradition.
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Tagalog Christmas songs
basically reflect the joyful spirit
of Christmas in the Philippines.
There are, however, some
songs that reflect the loneliness
of the season especially for
those whose love ones are
far away or who have been
separated. |
Pasko
Na Naman
Pasko na naman, o kay tulin ng araw.
Paskong nagdaan, tila ba kung kelan lang.
Ngayon ay Pasko, dapat pasalamatan.
Ngayon ay Pasko, tayo ay mag-awitan.
Pasko, Pasko, Pasko na namang muli,
Pasko, Pasko, Pasko na namang muli!
Ang pag-ibig naghahari!
Kay Sigla ng Gabi
Kay sigla ng gabi, ang lahat
ay kay saya!
Nagluto ang Ate ng manok na tinola,
Sa bahay ng Kuya ay mayroong litsonan pa!
Ang lahat ay may handang iba't-iba.
Tayo na giliw, magsalo na tayo!
Meron na tayong tinapay at keso.
Di ba Noche Buena sa gabing ito,
At bukas ay araw ng Pasko!
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A collection of Filipino parol,
or star lanterns, is an essential
Christmas
decoration in the Philippines. These lanterns
display dazzling colorful lights especially at night. |
The bamboo parol or
star lantern, is the symbol of Christmas in the Philippines,
representing the guiding light, the star of Bethlehem. It emits a
warmth unparalleled among holiday adornments and is unique to the
Philippines.
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It is a
Filipino tradition for children to visit their godparents
and elderly relatives on Christmas day.
This child is
showing respect for his godmother by
taking her
hand to his forehead. In return, he receives
a blessing or a
gift. |
Christmas
Eve in the Philippines is one of the traditions most families
celebrate. It is a night without sleep and a continuous celebration
moving right into
Christmas Day. As December 24th dawns,
the last Mass of Simbang Gabi is attended; then preparation
begins for Noche Buena, which is a family feast that takes place after
midnight.
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SIMBANG GABI or
MISA DE GALLO,
"midnight mass" or "mass of the rooster"
comes from the Catholic custom of
gathering for
celebration of the
Eucharist in the pre-dawn hours of
each of the nine
days before Christmas. |
The Noche Buena
is very much like an open house celebration. Food is in abundance, often served in buffet style. In general, the center of a family's
Christmas
gathering is always the lola,
the endearing term used for a family matriarch or grandmother, who is
deeply respected, highly revered, and always present. Filipinos
remember how their lola had their children form a line and step up to
receive a small gift of some coins. The older the child, the more coins
he or she receives.
Christmas
day is a popular day for children to visit their uncles, aunts,
godmothers, and godfathers. At each home they are presented with a
gift, usually candy, money, or a small toy. Food and drinks are also
offered at each stop. It is a day of family closeness, and everyone
wishes good cheer and glad tidings.
Maligayang Pasko 2016 at Masaganang Bagong Taon 2017 !!
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