A couple of years ago, I wrote a new Philippine interpretation of the classic Christmas Poem, The Night Before Christmas. As much as I wanted to run it for Christmas again this year, I have run it two years in a row now, and I decided it was time for something new. If you have not read my interpretation of The Night Before Christmas in Davao, though, I’d encourage you to give it a look, and I hope you enjoy it.
There is an old song that makes it’s rounds every year for Christmas, though, which I have decided to give a Philippine flavor this year, though. Of course, I’m talking about the song, The 12 Days of Christmas. Since I’ve been living in the Philippines for a while now, the gifts for each of these twelve days is a little different, though.
So, without further adieu, here it is:
The Twelve Days of Philippine Christmas
by MindanaoBob
On the first day of Christmas
My asawa gave to me
A mango shake much to my glee
On the second day of Christmas
My asawa gave to me
Two coconuts above, and
A mango shake much to my glee
On the third day of Christmas
My asawa gave to me
Three new rhum blends,
Two coconuts above, and
A mango shake much to my glee
On the fourth day of Christmas
My asawa gave to me
Four lechon birds
Three new rhum blends,
Two coconuts above, and
A mango shake much to my glee
On the fifth day of Christmas
my asawa gave to me
Five golden Dings
Four lechon birds
Three new rhum blends,
Two coconuts above, and
A mango shake much to my glee
On the Sixth day of Christmas
My asawa gave to me
Six geese we’re slaying
Five golden Dings
Four lechon birds
Three new rhum blends,
Two coconuts above, and
A mango shake much to my glee
On the seventh day of Christmas
My asawa gave to me
Seven politicians skimming
Six geese we’re slaying
Five golden Dings
Four lechon birds
Three new rhum blends,
Two coconuts above, and
A mango shake much to my glee
On the eighth day of Christmas
My asawa gave to me
Eight Carabao for milking
Seven politicians skimming
Six geese we’re slaying
Five golden Dings
Four lechon birds
Three new rhum blends,
Two coconuts above, and
A mango shake much to my glee
On the ninth day of Christmas
My asawa gave to me
Nine beggars bumming
Eight Carabao for milking
Seven politicians skimming
Six geese we’re slaying
Five golden Dings
Four lechon birds
Three new rhum blends,
Two coconuts above, and
A mango shake much to my glee
On the tenth day of Christmas
My asawa gave to me
Ten expats Skyping
Nine beggars bumming
Eight Carabao for milking
Seven politicians skimming
Six geese we’re slaying
Five golden Dings
Four lechon birds
Three new rhum blends,
Two coconuts above, and
A mango shake much to my glee
On the eleventh day of Christmas
My asawa gave to me
Eleven Filipinas romancing
Ten expats Skyping
Nine beggars bumming
Eight Carabao for milking
Seven politicians skimming
Six geese we’re slaying
Five golden Dings
Four lechon birds
Three new rhum blends,
Two coconuts above, and
A mango shake much to my glee
On the twelfth day of Christmas
My asawa gave to me
Twelve Pesos for keeping
Eleven Pinay romancing
Ten expats Skyping
Nine beggars bumming
Eight Carabao for milking
Seven politicians skimming
Six geese we’re slaying
Five golden Dings
Four lechon birds
Three new rhum blends,
Two coconuts above, and
A mango shake much to my glee
I want to wish all LiP Readers, and the writers here on LiP a very Merry Christmas! I hope that you have a wonderful holiday season, and enjoy the love of your family! Thank you all for visiting The Live in the Philippines Web Magazine over the past year, you are greatly appreciated, I can assure you. Merry Christmas!
Bob
Awesome! I have been watching the site for about two months and learned al ot from the different posts, but this one was pure laughter. True, but funny, just the same. Keep it up, I have 2 more years here in Florida before we move to Angeles City area to retire. I know I still have much more to learn, so keep it coming.
Regards
Dave
Hi David – Thank you for your nice comment! Good luck with your moving plans, I hope everything goes smoothly for you! Merry Christmas!
Hi Bob – I read something this week which rings true at this time of the year. There has ever only been one Christmas but many Christmas days.
Best wishes to you and yours for this festive season and a very happy and prosperous New Year. I would like to extend the same good wishes to everyone who contributes to and reads this site throughout the year.
Best wishes.
Jim & Marilou Cunningham.
Jim and Marilou, Merry Christmas to you. It is certainly a challenging Christmas there in your part of Mindanao, and we feel the pain of those in Northern Mindanao. But, it’s also a time to rejoice for the blessings that we do have, while remembering those who did not make it to see Christmas this year. I always enjoy your contribution to the site, Jim, and looking forward to continuing that in 2012!
Bob,
Thank you for the information regarding donations to help the victims of Typhoon Sendong.
I enjoyed your Philippine rendition of an old classic Christmas poem/song, too.
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
salamat po for all that you do…
Greg G
You are very welcome, Greg. I am always happy to help if I can! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Hi Bob, have you ever track the cost of your gifts from your version? From another useless information file: Here in the US, the year 2011 cost of 364 items repeated in the song will now cost over $100,000.00 Dollars—and it did not include the maintenance of the bird (partridge) ha ha ha.
Merry Christmas to you, Feyma and the rest of the Martin clan.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/28/12-days-of-christmas-cost_n_1115853.html
Mars
Hi mars – Maintenance on the bird might add up, but imaging all of the free pears you get. And, the partridge in the pear tree might help keep the tree fertilized!
Merry Christmas to you, my friend!
But I guess your cost will double on yours because you added 35 “politician skimming and beggars bumming”, but at any rate, just think of it as Christmas gift. lol, have Merry Christmas again.
Mars
Ha ha… indeed, those politicians and beggars really add up, Mars! 😉
Hi Bob, Hope you and your family have a great Christmas and a Happy New year! ..Jan & Nita Cook
Thank you J Cook! Merry Christmas to you and your family as well! Peace, Joy and all that good stuff! 😉
A lovely version of the song Bob.
Hope you and the family have a wonderful Christmas.
Seasons Greetings also to all the LIP readers, and thanks to the contributors for keeping us entertained and informed.
Marjorie and Family
Thank you Marjorie, and Merry Christmas!
Hi again Bob, I haven’t forgotten you, but like you always busy. I do get the odd chance to read your site and keep up on the news. Just stopped by to wish you and yours and all the readers here on Live in the Philippines a very Merry Christmas.
John & Vali
Linz, Austria
Hi John – Indeed, it’s been a while since I heard from you! I hope you are doing well! Have a wonderful Christmas, John!
Bob,
Good “Philippine” version of 12 Days of Christmas. Enjoyed reading. Thanks again for expediting my order. Take care and hope all went well for this years Christmas Eve Giveaway. Be Safe.
Hi Papa Duck – Thank you very much, and Merry Christmas to you! Look for a report on the LiP Christmas Giveaway tomorrow. It may surprise you this year.
Hi Bob
Malcolm and Jenny wishing you and Feyma and all the family a very Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year
Malcolm and Jenny ( Uk)
Hi Malcolm – Merry Christmas to you and Jenny! We wish you the very best during this holiday season!
Bob, Merry Christmas. I enjoyed this! Got talent composing song.. 😉
Thank you Sugar! I think I better keep my day job, though…. I don’t expect I’ll make much money from composing any songs! 😉