Christmas in the Philippines
By ARIES1973
@ARIES1973 (11944)
Legaspi, Philippines
December 12, 2012 9:27am CST
It’s been a general knowledge that Philippines have the longest Christmas celebration. One the ber months started, you could already hear Christmas songs being played in radio stations, televisions and almost anywhere.
Those who can afford would do their Christmas shopping earlier to avoid the Christmas rush. People start decorating their homes during the early days of November. You would appreciate the beautiful lights and decorations along the streets of the cities especially at night. Truly the spirit of Christmas is in the air!
The highlight of the celebration is the Simbang Gabi (mass at dawn). This is a nine-day novena masses for Christmas which started on the sixteenth of the month until the eve of Christmas. People would wake up as early as 4 o’clock in the morning to attend the mass.
To my Filipino friends, were you able to complete this novena mass?
My friends from other country, I don't know if you have the same tradition, kindly share!
1 person likes this
3 responses
@mariaperalta (19073)
• Mexico
12 Dec 12
I wish I was there... i love xmas. But here its like a 10 day celebration. Seems to go by far to fast. Happy holidays to you there.
1 person likes this
@ARIES1973 (11944)
• Legaspi, Philippines
12 Dec 12
You can visit our place someday. I would be more willing to accompany you with your travel if ever.
Thank you for sharing!
1 person likes this
@mariaperalta (19073)
• Mexico
12 Dec 12
Id love that.. I have only traveled form mexico to usa a few times. Id love to go to other countries.
1 person likes this
@ARIES1973 (11944)
• Legaspi, Philippines
12 Dec 12
I'm sure you will enjoy it here. I am planning to collect data in order to start a site about the beautiful places in our place. Hopefully.
Thank you for sharing!
@ardoy0731 (7308)
• Philippines
13 Dec 12
Yeah we do have Christmas celebration like no other. Its great that we live here. Nice to celebrate this season woth the family with happiness and joy. Even though problems are everywhere, we still celebrate this season with smile, happy and fun. We could set aside the problems even just for a while.
1 person likes this
@ARIES1973 (11944)
• Legaspi, Philippines
13 Dec 12
Yes, we should be glad that we live in this place. What is good about it is that despite the problems that we are facing in our daily lives, still when Christmas time came, everybody seems to be happy. We can smile even in our deepest frustrations and problems.
Merry Christmas!
@nat1_ong (150)
• Guam
12 Dec 12
I grew up in the Philippines so I have a vivid idea of the Nine Mornings. Unfortunately, I am the type of person who wakes up late. So I don't have the chance to attend the early morning mass. But, as far as I remember, I always do attend the first day of "Simbang gabi". Then never completed the 9 days. I wish I was there again. I miss the foods such as bibingka and puto bong bong. Here in Guam, there are only few who lit their houses with christmas lights and fill their exterior with decors. if there was decors, they decorate it like the first week of december not like in our place. There are decoration as early as October.
1 person likes this
@ARIES1973 (11944)
• Legaspi, Philippines
12 Dec 12
So you were able to eat those food. Good to know that. Well, actually puto bumbong is not available in our place but we have bibingka. Although I was able to taste these foods when I was in Manila.
When I was young, I can hear some people saying that if you were able to complete the nine day masses, your wish will be granted. Anyway, I am planning to complete these series of messes this time for thanksgiving purposes.
About the decorations, gosh! I love roaming around the streets at night if will only be given a chance. The running lights, designed into different Christmas related things, are just fantastic!
Have a nice day and thank you for sharing!
