'Christmas' Life

Christmas

Lexi Marie from Texas, USA, Earth, Solar System (Contact Member) -

What are some of the traditions when it comes to Christmas in the Philippines. Has Christmas become over-commercialized in the Philippines like it has in the United States?

Reply #1 dvdlady from on a blue planet (Contact Member) -

Good question. I found out that the Philippines is the only Asian nation in which Christiany is the religion chosen by the people. So yeah they do celebrate Christmas, and apparently the celebrations start nine days days before Christmas with a mass known as Misa de Gallo. At this mass the story behind the birth of Christ is read from the Bible. The Panunuluyan pageant is held each Eve. A couple is chosen to re-enact Joseph and Mary's search for shelter.

Reply #2 FoxyLoxy from Texas (Contact Member) -

Does the Philippines have a traditional "Santa Claus" "St. Nick" "Father Christmas" etc. Do they do gifts and toys as in the United States? What about traditional meals?

Reply #3 dvdlady from on a blue planet (Contact Member) -

It does look like the Santa Claus tradition exists in the Philippines but it seems that they focus more on the religious aspect of Christmas. I would think that they exchange gifts though, but I am not all too sure. Also no idea about the dinners. I'll look that up and report if i find anything! :)

Reply #4 Dancer from The Ballroom (Contact Member) -

I am happy to see that they are more focused on the religion of Christmas rather than the hoopla of gift buying. I would think that they have traditional Christmas meals that includes traditional Filipino foods.

Reply #5 dvdlady from on a blue planet (Contact Member) -

Christmas for me was never about the religion. It was about presents! Heh :) Also, christmas trees, turkeys, christmas lights, santa claus. It's a very magical holiday for me, but I grew up in an atheist family, so we never paid any attention to the religious aspect.

Reply #6 ciao from Southeast Asia (Contact Member) -

Yeah, we know who Santa Claus is and eventually found out he's not real. I used to hang a Christmas stocking behind the door coz my Mom said Santa's gonna leave me a candy if I've been a good girl. And voila! Every morning from December 16 to 25 I'd always find a candy in my stocking.

Christmas season lasts until the first week of January of the following year in the Philippines. We have dawn masses from the 16th for 9 consecutive days called the Misa de Gallo, as @dvdlady mentioned.

We have Noche Buena on the 25th at 12 midnight. It's when families get together and eat what they have prepared from sun up to sun down on the 24th. Then there's fireworks on the streets, people exchange gifts. There are parties everywhere during this season too. You have a party and exchange gifts with your office mates, another with your friends, and another set of friends, and then another...

Christmas in the Philippines is like no other. And that's only Christmas. New Year is another time to party.

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