Christmas in the Philippines (Pasko Dito Sa'min)

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Before we discuss the different traditions during Christmas, let us discuss first what is Christmas in Philippine context.

I just want to point out first that this post is not about religion but a portion of the Filipino culture which is commemorated in during the yuletide season.

Philippines is known to be one of Christian state dominated by the Roman Catholics. The tradition of celebrations from Spain when it colonized the Philippines (for more than three hundred years) had been passed through, which included the celebration of Christmas.

Christmas in the Philippines is a mixture of both western and native culture.
This is evident on:
(1)how families prepare the meals during this season (includes variety of both Filipino native and western dishes);
(2)how families visit from each other;
(3) how clans unite and celebrate together (which is a strong character found among Filipinos);
(4) and the decorations being prepared and used by every household and institutions.

The date for the celebration of Christmas for has always been debated by different Christian denominations. Some group would insist that Christ was not born on December 25. According to some theologians during our theology discussion, Jesus Christ was born not on the cold season but before that. In summary to what they proposed, Christmas should not be celebrated on that day. Politics in the religion has played a pivotal role in the dates of celebration as well in the Philippines. A lot of people would opt to enjoy this yuletide season instead because it is the only time for them to go back where they came from and be reunited with their families

How do Filipinos celebrate Christmas?

Whenever asked ny my foreign friends to describe the Christmas in the Philippines, I tend to sing songs to them.

For our German family friend, I sing Mag-utan ta mag-utan, mag-utan ta ug okra (Translation: Let us eat, let us eat gumbo) in tune of one of their songs. There was no offense meant so the kids just laughed with me together with their dad Robert).

Joking aside, I really do sing songs to them to describe what Christmas is in the country. One of the songs is Silent Night Na Naman sang by Ariel Rivera.

Pasko dito sa ati'y sadyang naiiba
May caroling, may aginaldo at parol pa
Lungkot sa puso'y hindi mo madarama
Dahil ang Pasko'y pagsasaya

True, the Christmas season in the Philippines is one of the happiest season in the country. It basically starts on the ber months (September to December) as the cool breeze starts to cause chill in our neck and toes. It also leaves goosebumps too! Houses, malls, and other establishments start to put some decorations including Santa Claus, the belen in Nazareth, the nutcracker. Oh! And do not forget the christmas tree. This is very normal and you could observe it around.

Parade on Different Christmas Festivals in the Philippines

There are cities who tend to be extravagant in decorating for this season. Local and foreign tourist flock over these places to witness how the people on these places celebrate the Christmas season.

Tangub City (termed as the Christmas Symbols of the Country) where it seems that every year, the city would look like a Christmas town. There are parade of different characters depending on what is the theme for that year. There are also fireworks display. According to my friends who live in Tangub, it has been celebrated in such extravagant manner for more than twenty years.

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Tangub City in 2015 had a theme of Disney which had mascots and fireworks display too.

Tangub City celebrating Christmas festival last 2016
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In 2012, Makati City chose to light its roads with medieval-structure Christmas lights giving delight to those commuters (workers and students) who pass by. This was such a sight as the designs were intricately made.

Cities are not just the one who show off different wonderful christmas symbols, but even different houses. Some families choose to cover their entire houses with christmas lights. Some families even redecorate their houses and open it to the public for photo ops. There is a house in Dumaguete City which is owned by doctor which is designed every Christmas and open to the public.

It is such a wonderful sight to see lights playing your eyes and the parols at different houses.

Celebrations in Different Universities

Other school and universities also commemorate the yuletide season with different set of activities. I will give spotlight to some of the universities who celebrated the yuletide season with a bang.

UP Diliman Lantern Parade

Image Source: https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/travel/ph-travel/155753-up-diliman-lantern-parade-2016-christmas

In 2016, UP Diliman commemorated the lantern festival. Different university organization joined with their giant letters. Some organization aimed to voice out their point of view on oppression towards the masses. I am not sure though if this is celebrated solely for the purpose of Christmas but basically it is to shed light on different issues.

Xavier University Festival Days

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Yearly, Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan celebrates Xavier Days during the yuletide season. It does not only involve university activities related to co-curricular and non-cocurricular activites but an opening for the Christmas season in the university since it is a Jesuit-run university.

The university is open for everyone including the museum. Classes are not also held on that week so that even students could enjoy the festival days. To add, booths can also be found from the entrance of the main gate. There are fireworks dislay, movie showing at the soccer field, cosplays, live bands playing in the evening, and a lot more activities.

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The mini-theater is also open for everyone to watch skits and dramas performed by the Circulo de Arte and many more. My daughter has been inviting me from time to time to witness the dramas and skits but unfortunately I do not have time.

Things that Filipino await during Christmas

Christmas Bonus, Christmas Carolling, and Exchange Gifts,
According to Presidential Degree 851, employees who have worked for atleast a month are entitle to receive their 13th month pay. Workers from different sectors really await for this but unfortunately there are agencies who violate this PD. Cooperatives of different government agencies aim to provide goodies to the employees too.

Many kids and young adults look forward to carolling as well. Some even join competitions to earn a pool of money that would be shared by everyone in the group. Some were great, some were off tune, but still households will still hand kids some coins and bills for the young adults and adults.

Exchanging of gifts has always been a favorite by most Filipino people. There are clans during reunions that would require a gift that should only cost Php 50.00. Now, how does one able to buy a decent gift with that price. There was also a time when it was my wife who was my manita. I did not knew about it until the program started in New Year.

There are also Good Samaritan Boxes that are also being given to kids. My kids used to received some when they were little and I saw how happy they had been upon opening the boxes and seeing imported stuff. Mga paka kayo!

Christmas in Cagayan de Oro City

In year 2016, we also noticed Camp Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City put ug a giant belen and other giant christmas symbols. It was on the news and had been talk of the town. It was open for public and a lot of families enjoyed the view.

Christmas in the Philippines had always been fun and exciting, but the strength of the hearts of the Filipino people had been tested when an unfortunate event occured. In December 16, 2012 after Typhoon Sendong/ Typhoon Washi hit Cagayan de Oro and killed thousands of its residents, the city celebrated Christmas solemnly. I have known a lot of friends who lost their love ones. I even had students and teachers who lost their homes and family members.

The Struggle and Resiliency of the Filipino People

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It was December 16, 2012 when our faculty members celebrated our christmas party. We were all merry making despite the fact that the electricity had been turning on and off. I was also with my family at that time. When it was around 10 in the evening, we decided to go home.

We hitched a ride from one of my teachers and waited a taxi that would take us home. It felt a bit eerie for us because the wind was strong. My kids were even joking that a storm might come and take over the city. Kids!

Upon passing the Marcos Bridge, my son Jose told us that the water under the bridge has increased. I jokingly told him that he does not need to worry because the water cannot reach the bridge. The kids then laughed at my joke.

When we came home, the lights were out. I felt something bad is bound to happen. We listened to the radio for updates and we had been hearing news about some places in the city were flooded included Macanhan where my school could be found. As a school administrator, I tried to contact all of my teachers as most of them resides in the said area. I made sure they were all okay. One of them got into an accident upon trying to escape the flood that was more than their two-storey house. He suffered from some minor wounds. I also informed them some precautionary measures to make such as abandoning their houses first if there is still flood water as the water may contain leptos pirosis.

Morning came and I heard a lot of disheartening updates from some friends. We tried to go to church to send some clothes but unfortunately the highway was filled with waters. It was high tide so the flood waters reached the highway.

My wife and I volunteer to work with Operation Blessing and other organizations that responded the needs of the flood victims. Upon heading the site, we passed through rotunda where tons of bodies had been lined up. Even at Bolonsori, bodies were lined up. Aside from a promising alumna who died from the flash flood, we also had a family friend who lost their daughter.

It was not easy to volunteer and give relief goods as people were quarelling and oftentimes hitting each other so that they could have their own share of goods. I was never mad at them but instead I felt sad for them.

The news hit the national television and a lot of aid had been sent to Cagayan de Oro City and nearby cities. Organizations from all parts of the world has also helped. To others, it may seem a grim experience but it showed the true heart of every Filipino people. Filipino families were able to shed out a portion of their christmas bonuses to donate it to the victims. Childrens were even sending their christmas gifts to the victim.

Although some establishments in the city even commemorate the day that the city and nearby cities lost their loved ones, some tend to shed a light of hope. The Local Government has a week long celebration which includes pyrofestival. SM Cagayan (uptown) also celebrates with fireworks displays. Malls also offer discount sales!

What happened in Cagayan de Oro has made a lot of realizations among Kagay-anon, that we are just one body helping each other. I know this portion of my post has been long overdue, but I sincerely would like to thank every Filipino who helped and pray. Cagayan de Oro was able to move forward little by little to your support. Christmas season in the Philippines since then has been viewed differently. There are a lot of people (young and old) who willing to give their hearts so that those who suffered such burden will feel better somehow.

I hope for the coming weeks, there will be no destructive typhoons. But if there is, I do hope that everybody is ready for it.

Seasons greetings from Paka King!

References:
https://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/philippines.shtml
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/feature/2015/12/05/lights-shine-brightest-tangub-city-christmas-445429
https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/travel/ph-travel/155753-up-diliman-lantern-parade-2016-christmas
http://www.xu.edu.ph/sss-forms/363-high-school-news/1731-annual-philippine-kpop-convention

How about you? Do you celebrate Christmas with your family at home or travel somewhere else? What do you usually do then with your family or friends? Share it here with me for a healthy discussion.