The Lost Tradition Of Filipino Caroling

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When I was a child we used to make caroling in the nipa hut houses in our neighbors in the barrio. But what is missing now is the tradition of caroling of our old folks during Christmas. At night, the whole whole family is used to be awaken by the group of 5 or more carolers singing the old ilocano Christmas song. The blending of their voices are accompanied with guitar and ukelele. During those times the night still so serene as electricity in the barrio was not yet available. From the distance you can already hear them singing. Their voice come nearer and nearer expecting them to sing infront of your house. Because life is hard at that time very few you can give money. Most of the time you give them present in the form of rice, rootcrops and fruits. The carolers stopped caroling when the sun rays are up. By that time they already have sacks of rice, rootcrops, delicacies and fruits. They will equally divided it among themselves. Its been decades I have not heard of old folks doing caroling overnight with their guitar and ukelele singing traditional Christmas songs stopping all the houses, rich or poor.