5 January 2026
This is quite late already, as these photos were taken during the Christmas Eve Mass or Misa De Medianoche. I've mentioned in one of my recent blogs that it has been more than a decade since I last attended a Christmas Eve Mass in our hometown's church. So, when I had the opportunity, I truly did not waste it.
This is our hometown's Catholic church, dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel. The parish was founded in 1591, and the stone church was built by Jesuit priests in the late 17th century during the Spanish rule.
My older brother's kids were home for Christmas, and they were also excited to attend the Christmas Mass. If I'm not mistaken, it was their first time attending a Christmas Eve Mass. They come from a broken family and live on their mother's side, so they rarely visit home, usually only during special occasions. Every time they come home, we make sure they feel loved and welcomed. Although their father has a separate house (with his new wife), these kids prefer to stay at home with their grandma.
Before 9 in the evening, we decided to leave the house, hoping we could still get seats inside the church. Otherwise, we would end up standing outside for the entire mass. It was scheduled to start at 10 in the evening. I expected a crowd, but I didn't expect that there would be no available seats as early as 9 in the evening.
People kept arriving even when the Mass had already started. We decided to position ourselves near the side door, where we could at least see part of the crowd and hear the Gospel reading and the homily. The Mass lasted for two hours, so imagine us standing there the whole time.
I was worried about the kids, especially the younger ones. Our little Breiana even fell asleep in the middle of the Mass, so my sister looked for a place where she could settle down and give her milk. With the crowd, it was really a hassle. One of my nieces also wanted to go home because she was already sleepy. That was when I started regretting bringing them with me. If only we had seats inside the church, it wouldn't have been this difficult. I just let the kid wander back and forth from where I was standing to where her aunt was watching over the sleeping Breiana, just to keep her awake until the Mass ended.
A few minutes before the mass ended, Breiana woke up, so we decided to leave ahead of the crowd. I didn't want the kids to squeeze through the walkways packed with people. From the church, we headed to the Municipal Plaza because we planned to take photos with the Christmas displays. It was the kids' (except Breiana) first time seeing them, so they were all excited.
The plaza was lined with small houses, each with a different theme and decorated beautifully. One has a welcoming Christmas arch made from palm leaves and natural greenery, with words "Maupay Nga Pasko," a local Christmas greeting. It was decorated with parol stars, warm fairy lights, and potted plants, and gave off a cozy, eco-friendly holiday vibe.
Another house featured a large parol-inspired frame outlined with LED lights. A glowing star in the center was surrounded by plants and festive ornaments. Inside stood a big Santa statue, which was the kids' favorite part.
One house was adorned with candy cane decorations hanging overhead. Inside were small houses with playful scenes, giving it fun, community-fair atmosphere. The kids really liked it.
My favorite was the nativity-inspired small hut with a nativity scene of the Holy Family inside. The atmosphere felt peaceful and festive-perfect for family photos.
Seeing the kids smile as they explored each Christmas display made my heart feel light. Their excitement, laughter, and curiosity reminded me how simple joys mean so much, especially during the holidays.
I felt truly grateful watching them enjoy the moment. The night was more than enough to put a smile on my face and theirs, and make the whole experience worth it.
Thanks for your time.
Jane is a Filipina wanderer in a foreign land who finds comfort in nature and freedom in writing. She loves watching raw picturesque landscapes, listening to the symphony of nature, breathing in drops of sunshine, walking through scenic trails and cityscapes, tasting new culinary flavors, capturing pretty little things, venturing into hidden gems, and dancing with the flow of life.
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