Filipino Christmas Traditions
Christmas is just around the corner. In the Philippines, Christmas season basically starts on September 1. Filipinos call it the "ber" months. So once September rolls around, Christmas season officially kicks in. When you go to a mall or store, they would have Christmas decor and you would hear Christmas holiday songs.
Through the years, there are Filipino Christmas traditions that bring Filipinos together and hold a special place in the heart of every Filipino. Read some of Filipino Christmas traditions here:
1. Parol - It is Filipino Christmas tradition of hanging star-shaped lanterns in houses. It's the most iconic of Christmas symbols in every Filipino homes.
2. Caroling - Children enjoy hopping from one house to another every night singing Jingle Bells, Joy to the World, Silent Night, and traditional Filipino Christmas songs like Ang Pasko ay Sumapit, Pasko Na Naman and Namamasko. And sing "thank you, thank you, ang babait ninyo, thank you" to thank you for your generosity when you give them a coin, a peso or more.
3. Simbang Gabi (Dawn Mass) - It is also known as Misa de Gallo or "Rooster's Mass". The Simbang gabi starts on December 16 and ends on Christmas Eve. Filipino families love to go to church together for dawn mass.
4. Puto Bumbong and Bibingka - A Christmas morning treat after Simbang Gabi. Outside the church, you would find these delicious delicacies.
5. Noche Buena - Filipino feast at Christmas eve with family, friends, neighbors enjoying traditional Christmas food like lechon (roasted pig), ham, fruit salad, rice cakes and many more.
6. Gift-Giving - Filipinos call it the "exchange gift" among family, friends, neighbors, colleagues giving gift or special token to each other.
Through the years, there are Filipino Christmas traditions that bring Filipinos together and hold a special place in the heart of every Filipino. Read some of Filipino Christmas traditions here:
1. Parol - It is Filipino Christmas tradition of hanging star-shaped lanterns in houses. It's the most iconic of Christmas symbols in every Filipino homes.
2. Caroling - Children enjoy hopping from one house to another every night singing Jingle Bells, Joy to the World, Silent Night, and traditional Filipino Christmas songs like Ang Pasko ay Sumapit, Pasko Na Naman and Namamasko. And sing "thank you, thank you, ang babait ninyo, thank you" to thank you for your generosity when you give them a coin, a peso or more.
3. Simbang Gabi (Dawn Mass) - It is also known as Misa de Gallo or "Rooster's Mass". The Simbang gabi starts on December 16 and ends on Christmas Eve. Filipino families love to go to church together for dawn mass.
4. Puto Bumbong and Bibingka - A Christmas morning treat after Simbang Gabi. Outside the church, you would find these delicious delicacies.
5. Noche Buena - Filipino feast at Christmas eve with family, friends, neighbors enjoying traditional Christmas food like lechon (roasted pig), ham, fruit salad, rice cakes and many more.
6. Gift-Giving - Filipinos call it the "exchange gift" among family, friends, neighbors, colleagues giving gift or special token to each other.
What Filipino Christmas traditions do you still observe? Do you do any of these or do you have other traditions? Share with us. Merry Christmas!
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