We’re all eager for Christmas Day, and we put our festivity on display with our decorations and traditions. From beautiful lights to simple candy canes on trees, we each have our own unique way of celebrating, and the Philippines never disappoints!
Surprisingly, Christmas festivities start in the “-ber” month meaning in September –that’s 4 months! This is to start preparations for celebrating Jesus Christ’s birth. About 86% of the population in the Philippines is Roman Catholic, so it’s not entirely surprising that the emphasis is on Jesus instead of the exchange of gifts.
The completion of the Nine Mornings, or Simbang Gabi in Tagalog, is also a highly regarded event during this time. The Nine Mornings consist of nine masses held over nine days which usually start on December 16th and end on Christmas Eve. The masses are also held to prepare for the birth of Jesus Christ.
To decorate, Parols are commonly used throughout the Philippines. The Parol is a hanging lantern shaped like a star. This symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem which guided the Three Wise Men to the manger where Jesus Christ was born. Typically, the stars will have five points as well as an electric light to illuminate the night.
There’s always a grand celebration throughout the Philippines during this time of year, and you’re always welcome to all of the festivities.
