A Taste of Filipino Christmas

The Philippines probably has the longest Christmas season in the whole world. Imagine, as early as September, there are already Christmas decors being sold in the market, and Christmas songs and carols are already played in the radio. This Christmas spirit continues up until the feast of Epiphany, also known as the feast of Three Kings, on the 1st Sunday of January. Where else can you find such unique way of celebrating the happiest season of all?

Perhaps the most famous Filipino Christmas tradition is the Simbang Gabi or the pre-dawn mass. This tradition, which originated in 1587, reflects the Spanish roots of the Philippines, where it is traditionally called Misa de Gallo (the rooster’s mass). It is the 9-day novena mass that begins on the dawn of December 16 and ends on the eve of December 24. It is believed that whoever completes all the 9 novena masses will have their wishes granted.

Then on the morning of Christmas day, people attend the Misa de Aguinaldo (the Christmas morning mass between sunrise and 10am.), and after that, children visit their godparents to pay their respect. Godparents, in return, give aguinaldos (money gifts) to their godchildren.

Another uniquely Filipino tradition is the Panunuluyan, wherein people re-enact the journey of St. Joseph and his wife, the Blessed Virgin Mary, in their search for a place to stay for the soon-to-be-born Messiah, Jesus Christ. This is usually done in the provinces, though there are some in the urban areas who practice this tradition.

The practice of exchanging gifts within friends, classmates and colleagues is called Kris Kringle or Monito/Monita. This is commonly done during school/corporate Christmas parties usually held on the first or second week of December or just before schools go on a holiday break.

But of course, what’s a celebration without food?

Some of the popular foods during Christmas season are the bibingka (rice flour and egg-based cake) and puto bumbong (a purple, sticky rice delicacy steamed in bamboo tubes and served with shredded coconut). These traditional rice cakes are usually available outside the churches during Simbang Gabi . It has become customary for Filipinos to buy and eat these native delicacies after they have attended the Simbang Gabi.

At Christmas Eve, Filipino families gather together and feast on a lavish dinner called Noche Buena. Of course, there has to be the ham and Queso de Bola (a huge ball of Edam cheese coated with red wax). These two are staple in every Filipino family table during Christmas, just like turkey is to Thanksgiving day in America. Other traditional foods include lechon (whole roast pig cooked over open coals), stuffed roasted chicken, spring rolls, pasta, bread, sweets like fruit salad and leche flan (a creamy custard similar to creme brulee) and hot cocoa.

Along with these traditional foods and customs, what makes Filipino Christmas special is the way they celebrate — with family, close relatives, and even the extended relatives. The unique warmth that exudes from the close-knit ties of Filipino families is something you can’t find in any side of this world, and is something that many Filipinos abroad would love to come home to.