Feast of the Three Kings
By allen0187
@allen0187 (58444)
Philippines
December 12, 2016 9:17pm CST
Been awhile since I wrote a post so here am I trying. Let me thank @LadyDuck for the inspiration. In her post, Baking King Cake ( link here, http://www.mylot.com/post/2879467/baking-king-cake ), she mentioned about the tradition of baking cake during 'Three Kings Day'. Reading her post made me think about how we celebrate 'The Feast of Three Kings' here in the Philippines.
'The Feast of Three Kings' is celebrated every January 6 and this marks the end of the longest Christmas season in the world. If you don't believe that, here in the Philippines, it is common to hear Christmas carols at the first day of September! Yup, when the 'ber'-months come, Christmas carols are played in malls - the sign of the impending doom of the Christmas traffic gridlock, er I mean Christmas season.
So back to the topic, in some towns and provinces, during the 'Feast of Three Kings', before masses are held, three men dressed as the Three Kings, parade around town riding horses. Along the way, they give gifts and candies to children who line up the streets eagerly awaiting for these local kings. Mass follows and families and friends exchange gifts. Families also prepare food and wine at their home for visitors.
The 'Feast of Three Kings' is also known as the 'Feast of the Elderly' to honor senior citizens in the country.
Looking forward to read how everyone else celebrates Epiphany.
35 people like this
35 responses
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
13 Dec 16
I did not grow up in the tradition of celebrating the Feast of the Three Kings or Epiphany. I mostly just recognized it as the day to take down the Christmas decorations. I think I may add some celebrations to it in the future. Now I will go read @LadyDuck 's post.
6 people like this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
18 Dec 16
@LadyDuck isn't it amazing that something you wrote a long time ago can still evoke some sort of response from readers?
2 people like this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
18 Dec 16
I'll strive to write more about Philippine culture and tradition. I also love to learn about different traditions from other countries. I think that is one of the things that appeals to me to be part of myLot.
2 people like this
@just4him (306236)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
18 Dec 16
@allen0187 Yes it is. I enjoy learning about all the different cultures here as well.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72285)
• Philippines
13 Dec 16
Could you check again at what date we celebrate the Three Kings? I remember back in 1990 it was January 6th until 1991 came and it was changed to the first Sunday of the year! I couldn't forget it because On January 6 of 1991, I was walking my way to school with my crush, a student teacher who was in his Senior year in college. I greeted him with all smiles, "Happy Three Kings!" and I got this response: "The Feast of Three Kings was already moved to the first Sunday of the Year!"
2 people like this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
18 Dec 16
Still January 6 since I last checked goddess!
What have you been up to @toniganzon ?
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
20 Dec 16
@toniganzon first Sunday eh? Kinda makes sense. Perhaps, it the the Sunday closest to January 6?!! 
Yup, busy partying and taking shots of tequila!
Yup, busy partying and taking shots of tequila!@toniganzon (72285)
• Philippines
19 Dec 16
@allen0187 I checked and it's the first Sunday of the year.
Just been busy.
From Wikipilipinas: The Hip 'n Free Philippine Encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search The Three Kings are those who came bearing gifts or gold, frankincense and myrrh for the newborn Jesus in the Biblical stories. They were named Melchor, meaning "king o
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
10 Mar 17
@LadyDuck first time I've heard of Befana. I'll look her up now.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
18 Dec 16
No worries about the tag. You deserve to be credited because your post made me think about our own 'Feast of Three Kings' tradition.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458140)
• Switzerland
10 Mar 17
@Lupita234 Yes, of course I remember the old woman, I am Italian, we call her BEFANA, not belagia.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (111178)
• El Paso, Texas
30 Jun 19
Some stores here will start lining their shelves with Christmas items in July and August, way too soon if you ask me.
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
13 Dec 16
Sounds interesting. My girlfriend and I don't celebrate at all.
2 people like this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
18 Dec 16
Perhaps, it is something you and youu girlfriend can celebrate yes?
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
10 Mar 17
@Lupita234 similar here in the Philippines, this event signifies the end of Christmas season.
@Fishmomma (11377)
• United States
9 Mar 17
Very interesting and my family doesn't celebrate on that date. We do have a lot of holidays here and holiday decorations for each holiday are out earlier each year or at least it seems like it now.
1 person likes this
@Fishmomma (11377)
• United States
9 Mar 17
@Lupita234 Yes, we do have New Year's and some people do celebrate in the New Year with big New Year's Eve Parties. I prefer a quiet evening with my husband.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
9 Mar 17
Feel free to share some traditions and celebrations. I love to learn about other cultures.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
27 Feb 17
You'll hate it here in Manila when you hear Christmas carols being played as early as September! 
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
13 Apr 17
@allen0187 Yes, I could sense it, as days are passing so quickly.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
31 Dec 16
You can start celebrating it this year @SIMPLYD .
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
1 Jan 17
@allen0187 It should be the church to initiate it because tha parishioners will surely follow.
1 person likes this
@Letranknight2015 (51529)
• Philippines
13 Dec 16
Well, I do believe it's the feast of the elderly or not the feast of kinds.
2 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
19 Feb 17
Your celebration sounds delightful, we just gather at friends house and there is much music and singing that happens on that day along with a lot of Serbian, Greek and Canadian food is shared.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
19 Feb 17
Thanks. What sort of Serbian, Greek, and Canadian food are shared? I'm curious.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
21 Feb 17
@PainsOnSlate sounds like a good day with friends and lots of good food!
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
20 Feb 17
We bring Spanakopita (Greek spinach pie) and Baklava (dessert) Everyone bring their favorites, cabbage rolls, pierogis. the meat (lamb and beef) is cooked outside, all kinds of salads and a soup, and desserts..It's a delicious day of sharing with friends with music and chatter
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
31 Dec 16
It's no longer called Feast of the Three Kings but Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. It is celebrated on the first Sunday after January 1 which is the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God aside from being the New Year.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
1 Jan 17
@sunrisefan you have a great 2017 as well! Looking forward to seeing more photos from you!
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
1 Jan 17
@allen0187 You're welcome Allen. Hope you have a good year ahead. Happy new year!
1 person likes this
@rusty2rusty (6751)
• Defiance, Ohio
2 Apr 17
Well that sounds wonderful. I don't we have anything that celebrates out elderly. Except for grandparents day.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
25 Dec 16
You are most welcome @DianneN ! Do you have similar traditions during the 'Feast of Three Kings'?
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246838)
• United States
25 Dec 16
@allen0187 Lol! We are Jewish, so none of that for us.
1 person likes this
@HebrewGreekStudies (1646)
• Canada
14 Feb 17
Epiphany is not really a very big deal here, even among church goers in traditional churches-outside of us I'm not really sure most ppl even know it exists, or why it is.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
14 Feb 17
I guess it really isn't that big of a deal.
1 person likes this
@chennorevillo (116)
•
8 Aug 17
we are also celebrating Feast of Three Kings. :)
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
8 Aug 17
Is it any similar to how it is celebrated here in the Philippines?
