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The night before Christmas in Davao

Holidays / by

There is a poem that is quite famous, called “A Visit from Saint Nicholas” although these days, it is more commonly known as “The Night before Christmas.”  It was written by Clement Clarke Moore.   Although the original date that it was written is unknown, it was first published in 1823 by the Troy, New York Sentinel.  The original publication did not credit an author, it was anonymous, however Moore was later credited with having authored the poem.  Still, there is controversy, and some claim that the poem was actually written by Henry Livingston, also of New York.

Over the years, there have also been parodies of the poem.  One that I have become familiar with, and have always loved is the “Cajun Night Before Christmas” in Louisiana.

This poem/story has always been a personal favorite, I know that many people like it too.

This year, I decided to play with the poem and make a Davao version for expats.  I’m no poet, I can assure you, but I hope you find my version to be fun.  Here we go.

Santa Appearance at SM
Santa Appearance at SM

 

The Night before Christmas  in Davao
by Bob Martin

Twas the night before Christmas and we’re livin in Davao
The holidays are a little different here, let me tell you how

We ain’t got no chimney, but we don’t care
There’s snow and it’s cold back home, why would we want to be there?

We’re all really happy, just not in our beds
It’s Noche Buena tonight, and the food is what’s in our heads

Mama’s doin the cookin’ and I’m taking a nap
Hey, it’s hot here, I have no more energy to tap

But outside the gate there arose a big clatter
I even woke up, better go see what’s the matter

Christmas Carolers – at first I thought it was funny
But then they said – “sir, where is my money?”

The carolers kept singin, I didn’t care for the sound
But, if I didn’t give money, they would stay around

I gave a few pesos, and the singers were leaving now
Then suddenly I saw Santa’s sleigh, and it was pulled by carabao!

I took a second look to make sure I had nothing to fret
Yep, it was Santa, but he was dripping in sweat!

The carabao were slow and clumsy as to the earth they came
I realized that Santa was Filipino when he called them by name!

“Now Ding, hey Inday, Dong and Girlie;
On Jun, on Piter on Maria and Shirley!

Land there by the coconut tree, what are you drinkin?
There ain’t no chimney in the Philippines, what the heck are you thinkin?”

A few coconuts fell as the sleigh passed by the tree
If I was standing there, the coconuts might have hit me!

The carabao made a u-turn right up in the sky
When they landed, I noticed they left a few carabao pie!

I ran to the house to tell Mama what’s happening
But I saw that the kids were already singing and clapping

When I got to the house, I saw Santa eating our food
Was Noche Buena early this year, or was Santa just being rude?

Santa was dressed all in fur, no wonder he was sweaty
Hey, he is being rude, he just ate all the sweet spaghetti!

A bundle of durian he had flung on his back
Maybe he’d leave some, for it would lighten his pack

But then Santa laughed and it shook his belly
For he knew that the durian this year were quite smelly

Because of the smell he put a plug on his nose
It seemed like his visit might be coming to a close

Before leaving he started looking around
He tip toed around and did not make a sound

As he snuck around he tripped and almost fell
But then he was happy, he found the San Miguel!

He was chubby and plump, so he had a San Mig Light
I thought to myself – that was alright!

A wink of his eye, and a twist of the cap
If he drank too much, he might need a nap!

But he drank just one bottle, then went straight to his work
He opened two durian and then turned with a jerk

He heard a bit of a sound and for a moment he froze
Then he ran for the door, he was quick on his toes

He jumped in his sleigh and gave the carabao a whistle
But it took a few whips before they took off like a missile

But I heard him exclaim as he went out of sight
Merry Christmas Philippines, and to Mindanao Bob – Goodnight!

Merry Christmas to all LiP readers

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Hi, Bob- Now we know why you’ve been pretty quiet the past 24 hours. I’m impressed. It’s a very Filipino rendition of “Twas the night before Christmas”. This has all the makings of an intellectual property, and I honestly think you should copyright this poem to ensure it remains protected under your name for posterity. And also to avoid any controversy as to the authorship 100 years from now.

    • Hi John – ha ha… truth is that I wrote this about a week ago. My original plan was to post it on Christmas day, but then I got thinking that the number of readers will be lower on Christmas Day, since everybody will be spending family time, so I decided to put it out a little earlier.

      I’m happy that you enjoyed it.

  2. Hi Bob;
    I liked it (the poem)! It’s quite timely also, as last night our little carolers arrived at my gate to help welcome in the Christmas Season. Their kinda fun and we keep a large supply of coins for them. Between the singing kids and firecrackers the noise level dose seem to rise a tad this time of year, but all in all I do like it (albeit not so much firecrackers)

  4. Hi, Bob- Further thoughts on my comment above. If you register your work for copyright, it’s protected throughout your lifetime PLUS 25 years. The Philippines is a signatory to the Berne Copyright Convention of 18??, so if anyone in the Philippines uses the poem commercially without your permission, you can sue them for monetary damages and maybe you don’t have to work as hard anymore in LiP. Hahaha

    • Hi John – Under current copyright laws, you don’t even have to register it. By simply publishing it, it is covered by copyright. So, every single thing that is on the LiP site is under copyright protection.

      Thanks for your thoughts.

      • Hi, Bob- And here I was already seriously considering lifting the poem, tweak it a little and have it printed on Christmas cards to be sold in the Philippines, thinking that it was in the public domain since you released it in the internet hours ago without a copyright notice, or the notification, “All Rights Reserved”. 🙂

        • Hi John – There is a copyright notice on every page of the LiP site. Look right at the bottom of the page – any page on the site. It says :

          Copyright © 2009 · All Rights Reserved · Published by WowPhilippines

  6. Hi Bob, Loved the poem. I was really wondering what you were going to do with the names of the reindeer. Cute idea with all Filipino names! Merry Christmas to you and all your family.

  8. Hi Bob,

    When Juramie and I retire to Leyte, I have to remember to substitue the milk and cookies with sweet spaghetti and San Miguel Light. Of course, I might leave a glass of Tuba out also to give the big guy a choice.

    I find it very funny to hear “I am dreaming of a White Christmas” as the background music at the coffee shop during my Skype Bisaya lessons with Bebe. Maybe you can write a new version with Pasko in Boracay for next year.

    Thanks again,
    Jack (and Juramie)

  9. Hi Bob and family, Merry x-mas diha ninyong tanan! asa akong regalo bob beh! gimingaw na gyud ko kaayo gyud sa pinas ug labi na karong pasko ug bag-ong tuig. mingaw kaayo ang pasko diri sa amerika dili ko ganahan diri. Unsa inyong handa karon pasko? magluto ug lami si feyma? hehehe hinaot makasabot kana ug bisaya bob. cge ha, ayo-ayo mo diha tanan.

  11. Hi, Bob!

    Ha! ha! I’m very impressed with your poetic talent! I really liked your Filipinized version of this classic Christmas poem! Santa could indeed trade off his reindeers for carabaos, just for a change! They may be a bit slower but they could help Santa carry much more presents while blazing through the night skies! ha! ha! Good one! 🙂

    • Hi JR – Ha ha… I really enjoyed writing the poem! I’m glad you enjoyed reading it! I can just see those carabao flying through the night sky! And, I bet Santa would indeed enjoy a San Mig as he stopped by at the houses in the Philippines!

  12. Hi, Bob!

    Yes, if Santa could taste that San Mig pale pilsen just once, I’d imagine he’ll immediately trade off those cookies and milk with a bottle of ice cold San Mig! And a piping hot dish of sisig along with it will make Santa much merrier! He’ll wish everyday was Christmas! ha! ha!

    • Hi JR – Oh, I think that the milk and cookies will be good for Santa in the cold environment, but here in the hot weather, a cold San Mig will hit the spot and keep Santa fresh for his continued journey!

  13. Hi, Bob!

    Oh, yes, I forgot about the fact he has to travel to cold countries to give those presents to the kids there! ha! ha!

  14. I will never forget when I lived in Hawaii and my Mom visited me at Christmas — it was her first time away from CONUS — and she couldn’t believe we were having a beach picnic. Even being outside in Ohio is painful that time of year 🙂

  15. very cool poem bob my wife laught about it. good job bob well its realy cold here in michigan ,grand rapids well bob to you and your family (hope its right )maligayang pas’o at manigong bagong taon maligayang bati, tonka,vivian,hannah

    • Hi tonka – Nice to hear from you! I hope you and your family are doing well.

      Hey, I’m happy that you enjoyed the little Christmas Poem! And your wife too.

      Merry Christmas to you guys!

  16. Great job Bob!! About 1000 times better than I EVER could have done!

    Merry Christmas to you and your family and merry Christmas to all of your readers.

  20. Hi Bob,
    Ha Ha very entertaining poem.

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you,Feyma and family.

    regards,Chas.

    • Thank you, Bob. Just got home from this year’s Christmas Giveaway (Part 1). There is a special Part 2 this afternoon, which I will tell about next week! Thanks for your help on this project. Merry Christmas to you, Bob!

  23. Hahahaha! Bob,
    I can’t stop laughing reading this unique poem of yours ,very nice Bob, A carabao pie, hahaha!!i wonder how will it taste if filipinos make that….Merry X’mas and Prosperous New Year to you and your family….

    • Ha ha… rebecca…. for us Americans, when a cow “poops” in the field, we call that a “cow pie”. Carabao pie, then, would be when the carabao poops! No eating that.. I don’t want to know how it tastes! 😆 Merry Christmas to you Rebecca!

  25. Hi Bob,

    :-))) That’s pretty original. I like the carabao instead of the reindeer. Mmmm…maybe they can turn that into a tv special, really more suited to the Philipines. And they can get you as Santa too. How about that?

    Merry Christmas to you, Feyma, your kids, and your 1001 relatives. Maligayang Pasko, Manigong Bagong Taon to all LiP readers.

    Alex

    • Kumusta ka, Alex? Malipayong pasko ug maayong bagong tuig sa imo ug imong tanan! That’s how we say it down sough! 😉

      Movie.. hmm… there’s possibilities there, my friend! 😀

  27. Maayong hapon Bob
    Great poem! I am going to print it out for a Christmas party. Hope that is not plagiarism.

  28. great poem mate…cheered me up a little as i cant say this xmas has started very well for us. Our house in Davao was robbbed a couple of days ago. They stole our tv , cell phones and other less expensive items. The robber or robbers made a hole in the screen /security door and was able to let themselves into kitchen. All this was done while my wife, baby and maid were asleep, which makes me think they are not amateurs in robbing propertys. Anyway enjoyed your poem and im thinking now im very lucky , my wife and baby also maid was not harmed so we can replace what they have stolen at some stage and the carpenter has already worked on our house to make it much more secure…have a great xmas everyone

    • Hi David – I’m sorry to hear that Christmas this year has not been good for you. But, I am sure you still have many blessings, just think of those. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

  29. Merry Xmas to u Bob and your family, and all the writers on LiP. I hope it’s a bit warmer there with u down South ; I think Global Warming forgot Belgium ; it’s been freezing here almost non stop for one month now with heavy snowfall. The pinoy here of course like it – haha – me, not so …. Prefer some hot sand beneath my feet. Anyway, wishing u all the best for 2011.
    Ronny Dehens

  30. Very nice, very nice. The story is definitely there – a little smoothing of a couple spots to make it flow just a bit better and it’s a classic!!

  32. That was funny Bob, thanks!

    JOYEUX NOËL – MERRY CHRISTMAS – FELIX NAVIDAD – FROHE WEIHNACHTEN – BUON NATALE

    73,
    Gary

  33. Hi Bob
    Just wanted to wish you and Feyma and all the family a Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2011
    All the best from Malcolm Jenny and Daniel

  34. Hey Bob – Good Morning. Merry Christmas. You’re spending almost a decade already of noche buena here in the Philippines. I’m much too full. I hope you are too. Wait.. the best part is always seeing the kids destroying well wrapped presents and delight in their eyes.. and they forget you exist…. they’re busy with toys… he he. Fun twist on the popular poem. No San Mig not even light. I just had wine.. red red wine. I’m glad to say I’m still feeling fine. ^_^.

    I’ll say.. Philippines has got to be one the best places to experience Christmas celebration. Bob, cheers to you and family and to LiP!

    • Good morning, sugar. Merry Christmas! I am celebrating my 11th Christmas since living in the Philippines, and they just keep getting better and better! I am loving Christmas here in the Philippines.

  35. Good one Bob,
    Thanks! One of the few Bisaya phrases that I know…Maayong Pasko. Bless you and your family.

  36. Hi Bob,
    Thnaks for the nice poem. Merrry Christmas to you and your family and all the LiP readers.
    Edwin & Rovi

  38. Hi Bob,
    I love your version. You are a poet, but didn’t know it! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you, Feyma and the Children.

  39. Hi Bob, loved the poem., Wishing the Martin family a joyful Christmas and a prosperous new year. Sweating Santa!! It’s almost noon here Christmas in the Northern Virginia and we are expecting about 5 inches of snow! Better open my Sear single stage Snow Blower I got for Christmas. Merry Christmas also to all LIP fans.

    Mars

  40. Merry Christmas Bob to you and your family. What a nice version of Night Before Christmas. My friends in Iligan tell me lots of fire crackers going off there on Christmas Eve. To me that sounds more like 4th of July than Christmas or, both being celebrated at the same time. Forth of July and Christmas at the same time ( in my mind ) adds up to Two holidays in one, it must be More Fun !

    • Hi Bob – Merry Christmas to you! I hope you enjoy your holiday! We don’t have any firecrackers or any type of fireworks here in Davao, they are illegal here, and have been for the past decade or so. The law is very strictly enforced too. In the past, too many people got injured from the fireworks!

  41. Good one Bob. Reading comments about the copyright, can’t help but to wonder as to what happened to that shameless local politician who just recently was accused of plagiarism, tsk, tsk,. But not to deviate and spoil the yuletide season, Merry Christmas to you and your family Bob!

      • Bob,
        Hope you had a nice Christmas with your family. Thanks so much for the good service for the order i made from Wow. Anne really loved them. By the way when are you going to do your predictions for 2013, looking forward to that. Take care and have a safe New Year

  42. Bob, Finally arrived in CDO march7th. Complete surprise to my wife! She expected me the 26th. LOL….Happy to be here, but sorry to say that i do not think i will be coming to davao. I thought it was alot closer to CDO than what it is.Happy Trails !!

    • Hi Skip – Glad you made the trip and got there safely! When I got your last note, I suspected that you thought CdO and Davao were closer than they are. It is about an 8 hour bus ride, or longer. No problem though, my friend. Have a nice visit in CdO.

  43. Maybe your in the wrong business should be a poem writer hahahaha…. anyway Thank You for a wonderful year of entertainment and education on your site.. job well done “Sir”… The best of Holidays to all of you and lets get ” READY TO TUMBLE…2014″””””)…………

  45. Bob,
    Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas! loved the poem, you might have a future as a poet. LOL

  60. Ha ha ha! That’s only in the Philippines! Poem is funny I can’t stop laughing for a while. Happy holidays!

  64. Hi Bob,

    MALIGAYANG PASKO 2014 AT MANIGONG BAGONG TAON 2015 SA INYONG LAHAT!!! I’m just simply saying to every fine and wonderful people out there, “To all: Merry Christmas 2014 and Bountiful Happy New Year for 2015!!!

    Thank you! PEACE!!!

    From, Aklan Heat.

  65. Bob, Good timely rendition of this famous poem or song of whatever it started out being. Over the years, I have heard a lot of different versions. My years in the military saw the lyrics suffer thru some versions that clearly were not meant to be recited in church. Most of those versions started off simple enough but quality took a nose dive after the first sentence:

    —Was the Night before Christmas, and all thru the house,
    — — the whole darn family was drunk as a louse…

    Things go down hill rapidly after that. I hope all of you folks in the islands are having a great holiday season.
    —Rich—

    • Hi Rich – Ha ha…. I have heard some of those “other” renditions as well. I hope mine didn’t suffer too much! 🙂

      Merry Christmas to you, and thank you for being a loyal LiP reader for so many years!

  68. Nice one Bob,

    Merry Christmas to you and your family. Hardly seems possible that another year has gone by. In some ways I will miss the videos of the Minda Claus drive but what you are doing now is another version of it so all is well.

    The usual donation I have made to the Minda Claus drive in past years, I used to send some personal care items to the Minors at Iligan City Jail.

    Merry Christmas to you and your family Bob.

  70. Hi, Bob –

    Greetings from Baguio! I’m surprised to see that my new gravatar taken at the lobby of the Manila Hotel just a few days after our arrival the Philippines this December 2015 appeared in the comments I made in 2009.

    Merry Christmas to you and your family, Bob!

  76. Thank you I need as much as help as I can get because I’m going to marry thank you I need as much as help as I can get because I’m going to marry a Women from the Philippines I’ve known her for about a year and a half and I’m anxious to get down there .13-A can you give me any advice thank you very very much ??

    • I’m not exactly sure what advice you are looking for, you didn’t really ask a specific question, however, in regards to that Visa, you are not eligible until after marriage.