CHRISTMAS IS IN THE AIR

A house in Policarpio Street, Mandaluyong decorated Santa Claus

stuffs, and it's now known as Santa Claus house.
(Photo taken a year ago)

Everybody gets excited as the famous ‘ber’ months – September, October, November, and of course December – are approaching. Usually, Filipinos start digging in their bodegas or storage areas for their hidden ornaments like the Christmas lights from last year, folded Christmas trees, parols, and other Christmas decorations.

It’s been a Filipino tradition to decorate their house when Christmas is near, even joining competitions in Christmas tree decorating and attending lighting of Christmas trees in Municipal Halls and Plazas.

There’s nothing more exciting than a Filipino Christmas where families gather and eat together, spreading the love to everyone.

Giving of Gifts

A Santa Claus statue vendor arranges its displays for sale

in Brgy. Tanong, Marikina City as Christmas is approaching.

(Photo courtesy of Jerome Ascaño, NPPA Images)

People can’t get enough of gifts. Even before it is ‘ber’ month, Filipinos already think of gifts they will give to the members of their family, friends, and relatives. And it’s been part of the Filipino Christmas that Ninong and Ninangs or the Godfathers and Godmothers give gifts to their inaanak.

Giving of gifts is one special activity Filipinos enjoy before the Christmas Eve. And of course, it includes also the shopping of the items to wrap. That’s why people go to malls, night markets, and tiangges like the ones in Divisoria, Greenhills, and Dapitan in spite of the crowd.

And there are the school and church Christmas parties that include the exchanging of gifts. Parents become busy choosing and buying clothes for their children especially on the clothes they will wear for Christmas parties.

Before everyone has their holiday vacation, gifts are wrapped and presented so as not to forget it when the opening of gifts on December 25 arrives.

Simbang Gabi (Misa de Gallo, Morning Watch)

On December 16, Filipinos attend the so-called Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo for the Catholics and Morning Watch for other Christian religions. It is a nine-day mass done at dawn or night, attended by many churchgoers.

It is known that once you completed the nine-day mass or at the 24^th day of December, whatever you wish will come true.

After the Simbang Gabi, churchgoers can eat the celebrated bibingka and puto bumbong, a kakanin or delicacy made of rice flour and coconut milk put in a bamboo wood and cooked in charcoal, spread with margarine and sprinkled with grated coconut, which is always present during the holidays outside churches and on the streetsides.

The making of Puto Bumbong

            

In Southern Tagalog particularly in Binan, Laguna, puto bumbong is paired with tea composed of dried avocado leaves.

Grocery Shopping for Noche Buena

            

Before the Noche Buena, there’s the grocery shopping that mommies and children usually love.

            

Mostly, pushcarts contain a big can of fruit cocktail, all-purpose cream, ham, keso de bola, spaghetti sauce, pasta, milk, cheese, mayonnaise, macaroni, apples, oranges, grapes, and many more, depending on what the families want to prepare and cook for their feast.

            

But shoppers couldn’t just grab anything they want. They are advised to check the labels especially for the price and the expiration date, making sure that the price is not too high and is based on the Suggested Retail Price or SRP presented by the Department of Trade and Industry or DTI, and the product is not expired. This will ensure shoppers of their rights and protection.

           

However, Filipinos doesn’t care much about the price, as long as they’re happy and everyone is enjoying, they’ll buy everything to make their Noche Buena a big feast.

            

On the other hand, there are many Filipinos who are experiencing great poverty, so even without food in their plate, as long as they are together, they will feel happy and be contented. And it’s one characteristic that makes Filipinos unique and special.

Is Christmas the Christmas you know?

Baguio Country Club employees enact the Nativity during

the opening of BCC Christmas Village in Baguio City.

(Photo courtesy of JJ Landigin, NPPA Images)

Christmas isn’t just about the gifts, the brand new clothes and toys, and the food. It’s more of rejoicing the birth of Jesus Christ and thanking Him for the blessings he’s given and is continuing to give people. So in this coming Christmas, people should take time thinking of ways to thank Him.

It’s also the time for long distance relatives to see each other again and have fun together, making every moment counts.

Make your Christmas worthwhile and enjoy the Christmas spirit with an awesome spirit. Give love on Christmas day! <3

Wishing you a very merry Christmas,

Foster the Paper