Filipino Christmas: A Feast for the Senses
December 25, 2016
by Lloyd Christiane P. Rivera
by Lloyd Christiane P. Rivera
Poster by Dominic Dimapawi
The Filipino Christmas is a feast for the senses. Filled with color, sound, smells, taste, and warmth, it is one of the most unique celebrations of Christmas in the whole world. It is unique in more than a million and one ways. Moreover, the season is celebrated in the country with much gusto and is a truly most awaited time during the whole year.
The Christmas season is definitely a feast for the eyes because as early as September, people begin to adorn their houses with different Christmas decorations. Christmas trees with colorful ornaments grow up literally everywhere, from several inches high, to two story-high trees placed in different town plazas in the country. Kilometers upon kilometers of streets are being lined with millions of Christmas lights that dance, chase, and blink.
As December approaches fast, the feast for the eyes is also complemented by carolers around. Children often go around the barangay and sing Christmas carols. If they are lucky, they might receive some coins and if not, the maybahay would yell “patawad” much to the sorry of the carolers. Different radio stations play Christmas carols. Choral competitions abound. Competing groups often face stiff competition—this owes to the innate musicality of the Filipinos.
Furthermore, the season is also a feast for the taste and smell. Delicacies such as the Puto Bumbong and Bibingka become a hit for the churchgoers during the nine-day novena known as Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo. Traditionally believed to grant wishes if the nine days of masses are completed, it has become popular to many that many Filipinos attend to. A day before Christmas Eve, the kitchen gets very busy preparing traditional and specialty fares for the most important meal—Noche Buena. Hearty meals are made for the meal preparation itself is seen as an expression of love due to the tedious preparation involved. Different tastes and smells emanate from the kitchen and seemingly invite people to come over. The Noche Buena is traditionally celebrated after attending the midnight mass, it is a time where the family shares stories and bond together, especially when some of the member of the family has to be away for most of the time during the year.
More importantly, the season is a season of touch. Touch in the sense that it is not the tactile feeling but rather, to touch means to “touch the heart” and reach out for others who are needy. This is important because this shows the important meaning of Christmas because it is the day that Jesus Christ was born—a season to share love and happiness. It is also a season for reflection and meditation to give thanks to God all the blessings received throughout the year. The season also tells us to have faith in God for good things happen to those who believe in God.
The Christmas season is definitely a feast for the eyes because as early as September, people begin to adorn their houses with different Christmas decorations. Christmas trees with colorful ornaments grow up literally everywhere, from several inches high, to two story-high trees placed in different town plazas in the country. Kilometers upon kilometers of streets are being lined with millions of Christmas lights that dance, chase, and blink.
As December approaches fast, the feast for the eyes is also complemented by carolers around. Children often go around the barangay and sing Christmas carols. If they are lucky, they might receive some coins and if not, the maybahay would yell “patawad” much to the sorry of the carolers. Different radio stations play Christmas carols. Choral competitions abound. Competing groups often face stiff competition—this owes to the innate musicality of the Filipinos.
Furthermore, the season is also a feast for the taste and smell. Delicacies such as the Puto Bumbong and Bibingka become a hit for the churchgoers during the nine-day novena known as Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo. Traditionally believed to grant wishes if the nine days of masses are completed, it has become popular to many that many Filipinos attend to. A day before Christmas Eve, the kitchen gets very busy preparing traditional and specialty fares for the most important meal—Noche Buena. Hearty meals are made for the meal preparation itself is seen as an expression of love due to the tedious preparation involved. Different tastes and smells emanate from the kitchen and seemingly invite people to come over. The Noche Buena is traditionally celebrated after attending the midnight mass, it is a time where the family shares stories and bond together, especially when some of the member of the family has to be away for most of the time during the year.
More importantly, the season is a season of touch. Touch in the sense that it is not the tactile feeling but rather, to touch means to “touch the heart” and reach out for others who are needy. This is important because this shows the important meaning of Christmas because it is the day that Jesus Christ was born—a season to share love and happiness. It is also a season for reflection and meditation to give thanks to God all the blessings received throughout the year. The season also tells us to have faith in God for good things happen to those who believe in God.