Wow, Thanksgiving just passed by.
Time to think of Christmas again.
Gosh, I felt we just had Christmas yesterday. Now time to celebrate again. Honestly with the world problems right now any family would have a hard time celebrating Christmas. I know for us we told our kids that we don’t want to spend too much this year. We still do our routine every year we give out little stuff to our less fortunate Kababayans here in Davao area. Thats what Christmas is all about, giving.
I am shocked this year that we didn’t have carolers in the house. My gosh before just the beginning of November we could have like 4 or more carolers a night. It’s mostly kids (the Lumads – native people). If you give more than they expected, they will be back the next day and thought they will get same or more. Our kids like to watch them sing and give some money. Especially Chris, he likes it. But its December already I didn’t hear the kids yet. I just saw a man at the gate the other day asking for money. I didn’t give I felt he could get a job somewhere like a house boy, gardener or something.
I guess it is time for me to put our Christmas tree up. I don’t really feel like it, its a big job to put lots of lights on it. Oh well, the kids like to see our tree up anyway. They might have to help put the ornaments though. It feels Christmas then.
We set limits this year of how many presents the kids would get. We will have our nieces and nephew here with us. Its going to be fun for the kids to open presents. Buying presents here in Davao, lately is not really much of a problem. Lots of the stores now carry stuff that the whole family needs. But if you really want fancy stuff you can just fly to Manila or some other Asian countries its just few hours of flying anyway.
Really I hope that all of you out there have a good Christmas this year despite the crisis. Have a good Noche Buena to all.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Oh yes it is Christmas. Time for prices to rise.
In true Filipino style our tree and outside lights were up after All Soul's Day. We have had carolers here in El Rio since the beginning of November. Sporadically at first and mostl small kids from the squatter village on the river, but now more and more are coming. Last night the Barangay brass band serenaded the house, they got a good "donation" because they won't be around again until Christmas Eve and they sounded really good.
Hi Feyma,
What's the usual donation to give to a group of carolers that come to your door?
Best wishes to you and Bob and family for the Holiday Season!
Hi Ray – Nothing new on that.
Happy Holidays!
Hi BrSpiritus – Really for some household the decorations starts during beginning of middle of September. Same here most of the kids that comes were from the squatters area too. They comes back almost every night last year. The organized group that usually played they are good. And yes they get pretty good money too from us.
Happy Holidays!
Hi Randall Jessup – For the kids that keeps coming back we gave them like 10pesos. The group of carolers like 50 to 100pesos. Which is not often for the group of carolers to come though.
Happy Holidays to you and your family too!
Would the kids appreciate some candy? Or do they only want money?
Hi Feyma; my wife said the other day "We have to have our honeymoon over Christmas1" Turns out I married a Lady with about 100 Godchildren! If we are home it will be expected all of these will visit at Christmas and less than 10 or 20 Pesos each would be unkind. My Wife is so kuripot (frugal); but I think I will give the money and a feast. The children are such a joy here, the real treasure of the Philippines.
Hi Feyma,
I miss caroling. What Filipino child who has not done caroling? I remember as a child that christmas time gave me so much hope–the hope that I might earn money by caroling. So I studied all the christmas songs, i.e. Whispering Hope, The First Noel, Silent Night..all the works.
I can tell you that I don't remember anything about the money we collected. Looking back, I I think those late December nights spent caroling was another excuse to stay late with my cousins& playmates. But those were my ultimate Christmas experience. Here, I don't experience Christmas the way it is there. Beautiful "real" christmas trees & all, flurries and snow even.
Merry Christmas to you & your family, Feyma!
Hi Feyma!
I really love Christmas in the Philippines. I have gotten to the point where I hate it here in the US. You have seen both versions so you might also agree that the merchants have sucked the joy out of the season in the US. Here I see people competing for the best gifts and are struggling to pay for them all year long. The Christmas celebration that we have in the Philippines are big family get togethers with singing, dancing, and games. It is nice that the only gifts given are small things for the children. This way no one is ever ashamed for not having much to give. Since we can't be home for Christmas this year we have sent a big box of toys and chocolate for the children in our family. I wish we could be there to see the joy from our simple gifts.
PS To Chris, If you can find some good chocolate the Godchildren will really love you!
WOW Feyma You sound like my wife …?… 🙂 Merry Christmas Feyma
and to your family , from ours …..Phil an Jess R.
Feyma: best wishes to you, Bob, and the family this Christmas. I am looking forward to my first Christmas in the Philippines, and we will be spending it up in Abulug with Becky and her family.
Have fun and all the best foor a happy and prosperous New Year!
Here's a related question: Do you go chop down a tree, buy one at a store, or use an artificial one.
Three years ago we bought a nice artificial tree and it has been nice.
Hi Tom N – I hope Feyma doesn't mind, I just have to jump in on this one! Unless you want to use a banana tree or a coconut tree for your Christmas tree, you pretty much have to go for an artificial tree. I miss a real tree, though, I always loved that smell in the house!
Hi Feyma,Due to the economic worries here in the Uk,store discounts of 25-30% are common and up to 50% off in some stores.I believe its the same in USA.Are there any big discounts to be seen in Davao stores?.Seasonal greetings to you and Bob and all your family,regards Chas.
Thank you, Feyma for writing about Christmas in the Philippines. I miss it so much – the Simbang Gabi especially. And of course, the caroling…oh, like most Filipinos, singing was my ‘past’ interest next to dancing. But wait… in our village, we also had Parol Competition every year – it was such a big deal to win it.
Have a Blessed Christmas to you and yours!
Maayong Pasko sa inyong tanan diha!
Hi Ray – The kids really want the money.
Hi Chris – The way you wanted to do is good. A good feast would really appreciated I think. Really for the godchild (inaanak) of your wife, feeding them when they come is okay though.
Good luck and have fun!
Hi Roy – The kids nowadays just sing one song, but they expected people give them big money.
Christmas in the States are really different than here. Family reunions are so common here during Christmas time especially during Noche Buena.
I like the live Christmas trees there. Sometimes the snow. 😉 You can really feel that its December then…
Happy Holidays to you and your family!
Hi Tom Ramberg – It is really different there than here. Lots of people really rushing there to shop. Here just big preparations for the Noche Buena (midnight dinner).
Your family here would be happy opening the big Balikbayan box during Christmas. I'm sure they appreciate you and your wife for that.
Happy Holidays to you and your wife!
Hi Phil R. – I hope I didn't influence her. Did I? 😉
Happy Holidays to you and your wife!
Hi John Miele – You will enjoy it especially in a small town with the big Noche Buena with the family. That would be fun. Seeing a lot of kids there too. You will like it.
Merry Christmas to you and Rebecca. Have fun there!
Hi Tom N – Here in RP we have to use the artificial one. We brought our tree from the States. Still good though. I had somebody decorating it right now. He must put like 4000-5000 lights.
I also miss the smell of the live Christmas tree inside the house. We used to have that in the States until we found out that our oldest son has allergy in it. Then we switch to artificial then.
Happy Holidays!
Hi chasdv – Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family!
Hi Hon – Good thinking. I think some people are using what you are talking about. We might try that sometimes. 😉
Hi Marcelina De Lorez – I'm glad seeing you back here again. Almost time for the Simbang Gabi (early mass).
I know the parol competition still going on to a lot of places here right now. Also some villages now have a competition for best in yard decorations. Lots of good activity here for the kids during holiday season though.
Happy Holidays!
Malipayong Pasko ug Bag Ong Tuig kanimo ug sa Imong Pamilya!
hello Feyma,
holidays come and gone, but christmas and new year's are certainly the most celebrated holidays in philippines. early morning mass, caroling, parol, puto bumbong and fire cracker. i surely miss it. have a prosperous and joyous holidays to all.
-maligayang pasko't banigong bagong taon sa inyong lahat.
Hi Feyma, here in Bulacan we too are getting very few carolers coming around. I heard people are not giving as they used to. Also, only few houses in our neighborhood put up their Christmas decorations. :o(
Hi Feyma Merry Christmas ! do you celebrate the 9 days as my wife does ?
hi feyma!
i just jumped in on this site the other day while waiting for calls to come in. and boy! how very informative this site is. how i missed spending christmas with my family. see i'm working in cebu and they are in davao, and for two years now i've been spending christmas and new year AT WORK!!!! but this time, i'm coming home and i intend to enjoy it, to catch up on missed christmases @_@!!!!
happy holidays to you!
Malipayong Pasko Feyma ug Bob!
It's nice to at least read all the commentaries here and the many memories that are so common among us Filipinos abroad.
This site brings me home everyday, thank you Feyma and Bob and thank you to the rest of the contributors to this site.
Maayong gabi sa imo mga tanan!
I have met a filipina on a dating site. she works outside of the Philippines. She came home to visit for the month of December, the first time in two years. I meet her family on webcam. Within 3 hours of this webcam family introduction, I receive a sms asking for money. I basically ignore that request. Now a week later, I'm being solicited to buy the lechon for the family reunion on December 24th. I am an American. If I continue this relationship with this filipina, because I'm American, will I always be hounded by her family for money? I have only known her for a month but am quite fond of her. I am quite disappointed that I'm being asked for money. If we marry, will I have to pay the family? If we live in America, will she always want to be sending money home. This is all new to me, so whatever insight & advice you could give me would be great! Maybe I should get out of this relationship now. I'm not wealthy by any means!!
Hi Emmanuel – Very true. Almost time now for the early mass to starts. I had fun going when I was young.
Happy holidays to you and to your family. Take care and god bless!
Malipayong Pasko ug Bag ong Tuig kaninyong Tanan!
Hi Mita – Really same here too. I think people now tries to prioritize what really is important to them. Everybody is really affected with the price increase nowadays.
Happy Holidays to you and Dave. Take care!
Hi Tommy – Happy Holidays to you and Riza. Hope you had a good one. Take care!
Hi yielle – I'm glad you like our site. I hope to see you more here.
We might have bump each other before here in Davao. We just didn't know each other. If you had time give me a buzz we could meet up for coffee sometime.
Have fun with your family on Christmas.
Happy Holidays!
hi Obei – I am glad that you like our site. At least it brings back some fun memories for you on your time here in the Philippines.
I really do hope that you and your family will have a good and fun Christmas.
Happy Holidays to you!
hi Mike – Wow, what would I tell you. Gosh, I've heard of a lot of stories like this before. Asking 3 hours after your first meeting is pretty bold to me. But see I don't know them.
Maybe you should tell her that you won't be giving any money to them, that you don't have a lot of money to give. Just let her understand your situation. As you know here since the family saw you, they immediately think that you had lots of money being your a foreigner. If time that the 2 of you end up together she might send money to her family. Hey, they already used to having money sent by your friend since she's working abroad.
Hopefully some readers here will give their take on this. If none I will write a column regarding this matter.
Good luck to you!
Happy Holidays!
happy holidays Feyma …Phil an Jess
Feyma
Thank you so much for responding. I inquired to her that evening how I would be able to send the funds to her. I know her family are struggling. They live in the kalasungay, malaybalay city area. They grow bamboo & coffee. Since the evening I have been solicited this money, it hasnt been brought up again. If I were to provide the funds for the lechon and explain to her it would be the Christmas present but not to expect it very often. How could I transfer the funds quickly? Wondering if there is a place on the internet I could order the lechon?
Last question, she owns property, works in Singapore, what are the chances of her getting a tourist visa to visit the United States? I am disabled and want her to visit me in the states, as that is where we'll be living. In order to start the fiancee visa process. the Requirement is to meet face to face. Oh, the perils of international internet dating!!
merry christmas to you feyma… hope next year will be a better one…
Hi Phil R – Happy Holidays to you and Jess. I hope that you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and New Year too.
Take care and God Bless!
Hi Mike – You can send the money through western union. We have an online store http://www.wowphilippines.com. We used to have lechon for sale on our site.
It would still be hard on her to get a tourist visa even though she's working in Singapore. It takes a lot longer now than before. A lot of requirements too. You guys are lucky now with the internet. You guys can communicate instantly and cheap too.
Maybe someone can give you more good advice here. Good luck to you and your lady.
Happy Holidays!
Hi athena – Happy Holidays to you too. I do hope that you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and a wonderful New Year ahead.
Thank you so much for stopping by! Take care and God bless!