The jolliest season
When the Christmas spirit sweeps through the Philippines, where I decided to stay now almost nine years and hopefully also in future, I learned how this spirit infects residents and tourists alike with its gaiety.
The “official Christmas season” stretches from December 16 to January 6, but Christmas carols began already last month, and the season decorations stay mostly up to the end of January. When I was radio host here in Davao, I wasn’t surprised anymore, when listeners’ requests for Christmas songs already appeared in September.
Spanish missionaries introduced Christianity in the Philippines in the early 16th century. Many Christmas customs are derived from European roots. A creche is commonly found in churchyards and on store facades, but often the carabao and the chicken have replaced the ox. Humble farmers and fishermen bring offerings of fruits to the baby in the manger. Real evergreen trees or the real Christmas tree, which can be found in Europe or other parts of the globe are rare in the Philippines. Filipinos have devised imaginative rattan representations, or “Silver Trees” fashioned with aluminium foil as well as just a “Plastic Christmas Tree”.
No dwelling or business address, however, is too humble to display a “parol”, the traditional star shaped Japanese paper and bamboo lantern, that is a unique Christmas symbol in the Philippines. There are plenty of examples nationwide, which show us how to celebrate the jolliest season of the year.
Las Pinas (besides Manila)is well known for its lantern makers. Have you seen already the marketplace overflowing with fanciful designed lanterns? San Fernando/Pampanga is famous for its spectacular lantern parade on Christmas Eve.
The Philippines celebrates the longest Christmas season infecting every one with gaiety. Ok, maybe not every one. Let me know, dear reader, what you are thinking about it?
Carols are an important part of the yuletide scene. A midnight mass climaxes the religious ceremonies. The churches are bedecked with decorations of flowers and lights. I remember very well being touched, when the “Gloria In Excelsis Deo” rang triumphantly… .
Towns are filled with wonderful parties, noisemakers and fire crackers, if not official banned like in Davao City. Holy night, SILENT night…?
Anyway, I think I should stop writing now, because I observed my family starting to put up the Christmas decorations. I remember, it took three days last year. Thank you for all the helping hands in my surroundings…
Hello. Where excatly in Las Pinas can i find the market where there are lots of lanterns? Thanks so much!
Hello. Where exactly in Las Pinas can i find the market where there are lots of lanterns? Thanks so much!
Hi Rica, thanks for dropping by. It has been a long time for me being there. There are several places in Las Pinas, as I said near the market (palengke) as well as nearby the cityhall.