Days to go before the most wonderful time of the year. Christmas trees are up, streets are filled with colorful lights, people are busy doing Christmas shopping wondering whose presents they're missing, Christmas parties everywhere. Indeed, Christmas is the most anticipated holiday of the year may you be young or young at heart.
People from all over the world have their own ways of celebrating the season. But let me tell you how Christmas is celebrated where I'm from.
- I'm from a place where Christmas starts on September. Yes, you read it right. September. People are excited to flip the calendar and get rid of August just because its already Christmas! With that being said, starting on the 1st day of the "BER" months, people are already on "Christmas Mode" (if there's such thing).
- I'm from a place where this guy is controls the speakers of most, if not all, commercial establishments. He basically wrote/sang most of the top Christmas songs where I'm from. His masterpieces are already engraved in the hearts of the people (People's Champion Christmas Version). Christmas will never be complete without jamming to one of his songs.
By the way, here's my son with the legend himself, Mr. Jose Mari Chan.
(Much like Michael Bublé, they seem to get out of their caves during the Christmas Season)
- I'm from a place where 'Simbang Gabi' has been a tradition for so many years. This is basically a devotional 9-day Novena masses that starts on December 16-24. People wakes up at 3:00am to attend these masses.
LEGEND has it that completing the 9 days Novena would grant you a wish, unfortunately, I never completed one ever in my life, I could not say how true this is.
- I'm from a place where after attending Simbang Gabi, people are excited to get their after mass treats. My personal favorite after-simbang-gabi treat that you can get is Puto Bumbong.
If fruits and vegetables are seasonal , then you can also say that this treat is a seasonal one. You can only get this during Christmas season. This is a glutinous rice cake delicacy cooked in bamboo and served with melted butter, sugar and grated coconut. And have I mentioned it's purple? Yes, it's really eye catching and mouth watering.
- I'm from a place where people are looking forward to do caroling (Singing Christmas Carols from Door to Door). It's also a nine-day event that starts on the 16th of December where people go through houses and sings Christmas carols. Most kids would improvise with their instruments and uses whatever noise making stuff they can find. That includes culteries, cooking materials, etc. Basically anything that makes sound or noise of some sort.
Ever Seen a Bottle Cap Tambourine Before?
I'm from a place where people are thrilled to get presents from their "manitos/manitas" (Secret Santa type Exchange of Presents). Ironically, Wish Lists have been part of the adaptation which is defeats excitement and surprise. Though plenty still feels that this is the way to go. Good thing is that people have evolved from this custom and made many different variations of exchanging gifts where it is not something which you will expect, but is Fun and exciting to perform at the same time. Definitely a great bonding experience with a Group or even Family Members.
I'm from a place where family gets together on Christmas Eve to have their Noche Buena. This is a tradition where everyone in the family shares a meal the night before Christmas. The most common food that you will see are roasted pork, ham, spaghetti, fruit salad and so on. It can really be anything that the family can provide. Though Noche buena is a meal, food is actually not important. What it really means is that you get to spend time with your family during this happy occasion. (Definitely Much like Hot Coco and a Chocolate Chip Cookie, Only heavier)
- There are still a lot of things unique where I'm from but what's important is, just like you and me, we still don't forget what Christmas is all about. It's the season of giving and forgiving.
So that is what Christmas where I'm from. You guessed it right! This is Christmas in the Philippines.
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Have a joyful holiday season to everyone!