Christmas in the Philippines

When is Christmas Celebrated?
In the Philippines, Christmas day is celebrated on December 25. Filipinos call Christmas a fiesta. A fiesta is a celebration or holiday. The weather at Christmas is the coolest of the year. But it is still about 70°!

The Christmas season in the Philippines lasts nine days. It starts on December 16. The celebrations end on the first Sunday in January.

Is there a special Gift-Giver?
There are two special gift givers in the Philippines. They are called Lolo and Lola. Lolo means grandfather. Lola means grandmother. Lolo and Lola give gifts to their grandchildren. They give simple, useful gifts. These gifts can be clothes and money.

Santa Claus is not a part of Christmas for many children in the Philippines. He does not bring gifts.

How do the Filipinos decorate their houses? 
Many Filipinos decorate their houses with Christmas trees. There are very few evergreen trees in the Philippines. Many families use a fake tree. Some families make trees from palm tree branches or cardboard. Christmas trees are decorated with ornaments. Some ornaments are candy, fruit, and shells.

A parol (pah-ROLL) is a very popular Christmas decoration in the Philippines. A parol is a 5 pointed star in a circle. It is made from bright paper and bamboo. Sometimes there is a candle or light inside. Parols are hung everywhere in the Philippines. They remind people of the star the wise men followed.

What special food do they eat?
Many Filipinos go to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. After Mass, they eat a family feast. The feast is called Noche Beuna. They eat chicken, rice soup and spring rolls. Spring rolls are stuffed with meat and vegetables. They also eat noodles and many kinds of fruit.

A favorite Christmas desert is bibingka (bee-BING-kah). This is a Philippine pancake. It is made from rice flour. It is cooked with milk, cheese and duck eggs. It is served on a banana leaf.

What are some other special traditions?
The Filipinos have many special traditions. One tradition is called Mass of the Rooster. Mass of the Rooster is held on December 16. At 4:00 in the morning, church bells ring and wake people up to go to church. The service is called this because people wake up so early to go to it. For the next 9 days, families go to church every morning. After nine day, it's Christmas.

Another tradition happens on Christmas Eve. Families stay up all night on Christmas Eve. When it's daylight, children visit their families. They usually get a gift at every house they visit. The gifts can be toys, money, or candy.

Singing Christmas songs is a third tradition in the Philippines. Filipinos sing every night starting on December 16. They walk through the streets when they sing.