Celebrating Christmas in the Philippines is considered to be the longest and merriest in the world. It formally begins with the attendance of the first of nine pre-dawn or early morning masses or the Simbang Gabi, and ends on the first Sunday of January, the Feast of the Three Kings.
Being a predominantly Christian country, Christmas is an extremely important holiday for us Filipinos. That is why no matter where we are in the world, we continue to celebrate the holiday in true Pinoy fashion. In this piece, we look into our Christmas traditions that have become a part of our culture.
Starry, starry night: The parol
Since there is no winter season, Christmas decorations in the Philippines extends more to than the Western’s usual Santa Claus or Christmas trees. For Filipinos, the bamboo parol (pah-role) or star lantern, is the symbol of the season. The word parol comes from the Spanish word for lantern, which is farol. According to the World Book’s Christmas in the Philippines, the roots of the parol can be found in the Mexican piñata, which came to Spain from Italy in the 1300s. Later on, it spread to Mexico and finally came to the Philippines when Christianity was introduced by the Spaniards.
Representing the guiding star of Bethlehem, the parol can be found hanging outside homes and along streets. In fact, for Filipinos, the making of a parol is an expression of shared faith and hope.
An early morning worship: The Simbang Gabi/Misa de Gallo
It was the Spanish missionary friars who brought the tradition of the Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo. In preparation for the coming of Jesus at Christmas, the friars held nine days of Masses, which were celebrated in the early morning hours of 4am, just when the roosters crow to announce the coming of a new day. In fact, the word gallo comes from the Spanish word “rooster.”
The reason for this was because the Filipinos were a farming people—they start their work at dawn. The missionary fathers decided that to preserve and implant the Gospel to the people, they would need to integrate the practice as a distinctly Filipino custom.
Even when the agricultural roots of Simbang Gabi and Misa de Gallo have been forgotten, the fascination of going to church at dawn continued. Aside from practicing their faith, the tradition is like a fiesta on its own. Friends and family try to complete the whole nine-day cycle, white some enjoy the welcome aroma of native delicacies that are a staple of the season – bibingka (rice cakes), puto bumbong, hot chocolate or salabat.
For most people, it announces that Christmas is just around the corner. For others, the tradition has acquired its own smell and flavor, as well as spiritual significance.
Noche Buena: A feast like no other
Another Filipino Christmas tradition that is not missed is the Noche Buena. Celebrated on December 24, this Christmas Eve dinner is held usually after the end of the Misa de Gallo.
Being a people who love food, the Noche Buena feast is always a sight to behold. Usually compared to the western Thanksgiving celebration, it is a day when friends and family gather to celebrate an evening meal as they await the birth of Jesus Christ.
Popular food offerings on the table are queso de bola (Edam round cheese), hamon (Christmas ham), pansit (noodles) or lechon (roasted pork). Through the years, Filipinos have tweaked the Noche Buena menu according to their tastes, but most still remained true to what they have accustomed to.
Pangangaroling at pamamasko
Most Filipinos who have spent his or her childhood back home is sure to remember the pangangaroling. Children make their own instruments of tambourines made with tansans (aluminum bottle caps) or makeshift drums (empty cans with a plastic cover) and go around the neighborhood to sing Christmas carols. And who can forget the chant, “Namamasko po!” after every song?
After being rewarded with a few coins, the carolers thank the generosity of the homeowners by singing, “Thank you, thank you, ang babait ninyo (you are so kind), thank you!”
The pangangaroling is more than plain revelry. It is actually the sound of Christmas, all coming from the voices of innocent children. In the past, caroling has changed by becoming a fundraising activity. Choirs and youth groups now practice weeks ahead and schedule visits to wealthy patrons or businesses.
There are other Christmas traditions that Filipinos still follow even today. For them, passing these practices to the younger generation will help preserve our heritage and culture. Also, it reminds us that the season is not just about shopping and receiving gifts—but a time to rejoice the birth of Christ.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(Northern California Dec 24-30, 2010 Something Filipino p.2)
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