| The early morning breeze is cold. Day seems shorter | | | | the Philippines and everybody will do anything to be |
| and the night longer. People are starting to decorate | | | | able serve most of the Christmas dishes we have |
| their homes, Christmas songs are played in the | | | | grown up with. |
| airwaves ever since September and now we're only a | | | | Though this is a unique Filipino tradition, some decide to |
| days away from the most anticipated holiday of all, | | | | be a little thrifty especially now that the economy is not |
| yes it's only days away and it is CHRISTMAS once | | | | very good. A practical thing they may say but the |
| again. | | | | season calls for the celebration. Some only prepare a |
| Christmas is the most awaited season here in the | | | | little amount just to satisfy the need and not splurge on |
| Philippines. It is very evident because as early as | | | | it anymore. But those who can still afford to have an |
| September people are doing all their preparations. | | | | extravagant celebration still do it the way they are |
| Some are busy doing their Christmas shopping; others | | | | accustomed. |
| have already decorated their house. Almost all the | | | | On the big day, the Christmas day itself, people go to |
| things related to this festivity bring joy to everyone. | | | | church to give their thanks. Children wear their new |
| There are some unique Filipino traditions that are not | | | | and best clothes accompanied by their parents to visit, |
| done the way our elders did it. It's a sad thing to note | | | | after the mass, their godparents and be given their |
| but it is never too late to change and bring the | | | | aguinaldos or gifts. Sadly, children now opt to be given |
| traditions back to life. | | | | money as compared to before that when you |
| The most common tradition that is still observe is | | | | received anything - be it candies, food or gift, you'll be |
| attending of simbang gabi or pre- dawn masses that | | | | grateful. |
| starts from December 16 to December 24. This is a | | | | It is also a custom for Filipinos to kiss the hands of the |
| nine-day novena in preparation for the big celebration | | | | elderly known as pagmamano be it their relatives or |
| of the birth of the baby Jesus. Typically, people would | | | | their godparents. During Christmas it is a way of |
| go to church as early as three in the morning to be | | | | greeting and wishing the elders a merry season. But |
| part of it. Other churches also do it at night to | | | | now, the tradition of pagmamano has been forgotten |
| accommodate the schedule of people who works. | | | | and most opt to do the beso-beso. |
| They say that if you would be able to complete the | | | | It is also forgotten that the reason why you go and |
| nine days, anything you would wish will come true. | | | | nagmamano to your relatives and godparents is just to |
| After the mass, people customarily buy the native | | | | greet them, now children treat it as a way to gather |
| delicacies puto bumbong (purple glutinous rice cakes | | | | the money they want. They are also others who |
| steamed in bamboo cylinders and sprinkled with grated | | | | would go from house to house and would claim that |
| coconut and brown sugar) and bibingka (rice cakes | | | | he or she is a godchild of either your parents. The |
| made from rice flour topped with carabao cheese and | | | | sincerity has been changed to deception. |
| grated coconut) that is best paired with salabat (ginger | | | | Many traditions have been changed or not done |
| tea). | | | | anymore at all. Christmas has also become too |
| But sadly, some are not attending the mass to be part | | | | commercialized that sometimes the true meaning of |
| of the novena or to be able to make their wishes | | | | the festivity is already forgotten. In this time, change is |
| come true, others go only to get away from their | | | | not always good. The good thing to note is that even |
| parents or be with their boyfriend or girlfriend. The | | | | though there have been some alterations in the |
| sincerity of the celebration is being colored with | | | | customs and traditions, there are those who still stick |
| another intention. | | | | by them. With this Christmas is celebrated the way it |
| At the end of the novena, on the midnight of the 24th | | | | really should be - to celebrate the day when God |
| just before the 25th a grand mass is done to | | | | gave His own Son to be our Savior. Though it is not |
| welcome the birth of the savior. Filipino family usually | | | | the exact date as they try to say, still the celebration is |
| prepares their Noche Buena to be shared right after | | | | about the time when the Creator chose to be with his |
| the mass. Families prepare different dishes consisting | | | | creations and be one with them. |
| of hamon, queso de bola, pancit, fried chicken, rice | | | | So whatever way you observe Christmas be sure to |
| cakes and different desserts. Almost every family has | | | | thank God for everything he has given you and your |
| their special delicacy that is cooked only during | | | | family. Merry Christmas!!! |
| Christmas. Christmas is the most celebrated season in | | | | |