Perhaps there’s really no other country in the world that celebrates Christmas the way we d0 – Christmas in the Philippines is splendid. 

On this blog, learn the “Filipino way” of celebrating Christmas and get to know 10 Filipino Christmas traditions that are unique in the Philippines. Gain insights at why Christmas looks and feels a lot different in our country than in the rest of the world. We also highlighted some Philippine destinations you might want to consider for a Christmas vacation.

Christmas in the Philippines Amidst Crises

The Philippines may have experienced the worst calamities and pandemic in 2020, but we also witnessed the best signs and gestures of hope this year.

Kids holding Parol in a market in Philippines | Photo by: Kobby Dagan | Shutterstock Photo ID: 1598479792

Despite crises and losses, Filipinos will always have the heart to celebrate Christmas. After all, isn’t the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ enough reason to celebrate?

For Filipinos, life goes on and so does Christmas. It may look a bit different this year, but its meaning will always stay the same.

How Do Filipinos Celebrate Christmas?

The thought and feel of Christmas bring great excitement to most Filipinos.

Christmas in the Philippines starts early and ends late – that is, beginning -ber months (SeptemBER until DecemBER) and extends until the Feast of the Three Kings in January. Here, a month of celebration is never enough. Thus, we extended it for as long as 5 merry months. Surely, Christmas is definitely “more fun in the Philippines” –  the country with the longest celebration of Christmas.

Glittery lights and happy Filipinos enjoying a night stroll in December

The loving nature of Filipinos and strong faith in God is so pure, making Christmas the best season to embody it. There is something about Christmas that makes Filipinos feel so centered. For us, Christmas is best celebrated at home, with our family. Thus, many Filipinos working abroad or in a separate city would desire to come home to spend the holiday season in the Philippines. 

Certain Filipino traditions exist to make Christmas more joyful and meaningful. These traditions are re-lived year after year as we anticipate the coming of Christmas. While it may be possible that not all Filipinos are endowed to practice such traditions, it doesn’t make them deficient. It is a fact that not everyone can afford to buy Christmas decors, fancy gifts, or lavish celebrations and that is okay. You’ll see that what makes a “Filipino Christmas” truly meaningful does not depend on such external sources  – it is rooted from an internal source, a Higher Being.

So yeah, you will see many FIlipino families with barely anything in their pockets (beggars, typhoon victims, refugees, kids in the orphanage, people in slum areas) with no gifts to open or no extravagant Noche Buena to share with, but despite these, you will see many of them smiling, celebrating mass, helping one another and sharing the love on Christmas. You’ll be surprised to realize how little Filipinos need to actually live well and a merry little Christmas.

What makes our celebration of Christmas in the Philippines special is the meaning that we attach to it.

10 Unique Filipino Christmas Traditions We Absolutely Love

If you ask Filipinos what makes Christmas in the Philippines unique, the following Christmas traditions would probably be on their list:

1) Filipino Simbang Gabi or Misa de Aguinaldo

Simbang Gabi is a Filipino word that literally translates to “Night Mass”. It is our version of Misa de Aguinaldo, where a 9-day dawn mass is held as we approach Christmas day – from December 16 to December 24. On the last day, apart from the Simbang Gabi in the morning, an evening mass is also held which we call Misa de Gallo (the Spanish term for Rooster’s Mass).

Simbang Gabi is often scheduled very early in the morning or as early as 4:00 AM, a tradition which has been practiced since the Spanish colonial era whereby farmers and other workers used to attend to masses at the earliest time of the day before they go to work. Today, it is attended by Filipinos of all ages who joyfully attend early morning masses and sing good praise to the Lord.

Filipino Simbang Gabi with proper observance of social distancing | Photo by: Jem Baldemoro

Simbang Gabi is a beautiful Christmas tradition that I have always looked forward to ever since I was a child. The whole experience of getting up early, getting dressed, feeling the seasonal cool breeze of December, going to church with family, friends, or loved ones all add up to the excitement of Christmas.

Interestingly, it is a classic Filipino belief that when you complete the 9-day Simbang Gabi, your Christmas wish would come true. Whether it is true or not, that’s for you to find out.

Cheerful kids wanting to complete the 9-day Simbang Gabi for a special Christmas wish

2) Classic Christmas Foods in the Philippines

There are seasonal Filipino delicacies that are not typically found all year-round but are mostly served during the Christmas season. These classic Christmas favorites are often sold outside churches providing easy access for people who attended the Simbang Gabi.

Classic Christmas foods include:

Bibingka

Bibingka is a type of rice cake cooked using clay pots with banana leaf lining which is then heated by charcoal fire at the top and bottom. It rich produces flavorful taste quite similar to a rice pudding but a bit saltier because of the salted egg and grated cheese that add up to its distinct taste.

Puto Bumbong

Puto Bumbong is a steamed rice cake cooked using a bamboo tube. Its color is purple, wrapped in banana leaf and is topped with a combination of equally flavorful Filipino ingredients such as margarine, muscovado sugar and freshly grated coconut. This food is so special that even the thought of it would actually make you feel like Christmas.

Puto bumbong with hot chocolate on the side, a perfect Filipino Christmas breakfast combo

Tsokolate of Hote Chocolate

Tsokolate or hot chocolate is a traditional drink made from locally-made tablea. This morning drink is sure to keep you feel warm. It is typically served alongside puto bumbong, bibingka or even bread.

Other Filipino staple foods that are in demand not just on Christmas but all year-round are Pandesal (classic Filipino bread) and Taho (sweetened soya with tapioca pearls).

A good list of other authentic Filipino foods are found on this blog.

Taho

3) Parol : Filipino Christmas Lantern

Parol, Filipino Christmas Lantern | Photo by: Wuttichai jantarak | Shutterstock Photo ID: 490206430

Parol is the local term for lantern. It is a star-shaped lantern which is the iconic symbol of Christmas in the Philippines. It is typically being hanged outside Filipino houses which symbolizes light (hope) similar to the star of Bethlehem which guided the three kings to the manger.

Parol comes in different shapes, sizes and colors. It can be as simple as a bamboo covered colored paper, it can be made from recycled plastic bottles shaped into a star or it can be as intricate as capiz with pre-programmed LED lights. No matter what the design is, it all means the same. It symbolizes hope for Filipinos.

If you want to see a good collection of Parols, then you might want to head on to Pampanga – “The Lantern Capital of the Philippines”.

4) Filipino Christmas Decorations

For Filipinos, putting up colorful Christmas decors is a family tradition that every child and child-at-heart look forward to. Such Christmas ornaments add up to the overall joyful feeling at home. It is even made more special when every member of the family helps in decorating the Christmas tree.

Aside from Parol, other popular Filipino Christmas decors include:

• Christmas tree (made from indigenous or plastic materials)

• Garlands

• Poinsettia

• Christmas lights

• Christmas bling-blings (like Christmas balls, candy cane, etc)

• Belen (Filipino version of Nativity Scene)

• Santa Claus (socks or Santa figures)

  Of course, no Christmas is complete without Santa Claus – the Father of Christmas. The magical character will continue to be part of our Christmas tradition now and always. Ho-ho-ho!

Big Christmas tree covered with Christmas lights and decors

5) Monito Monita and Christmas Parties

Filipinos love Christmas parties. It is a special occasion that Filipinos look forward to – whether in school, at the office, at home or in other organizations. It is one of the most-awaited gatherings of the year where Filipinos prepare good food, wear their best outfit, showcase their talents for an intermission number, play lots of fun games with exciting prizes and do exchanging of gifts.

Monito Monita is the Filipino version of exchanging gifts which is usually done at Christmas parties among families, friends, colleagues, schools etc.

Here, every participant will randomly pick a name in advance (usually thorough draw lots) of a person he/she will give her gift to. The name of the person whom you picked shall remain a secret until the day of the party.

These days, because of Filipinos’ creativity and playfulness, some would even assign themes for choosing gifts – something like, choose gifts that are “naughty”, “shining shimmering splendid” or any random theme the group has agreed on.

Christmas gifts for Monito and Monita

6) 13th month pay and Christmas Bonus

In the Philippines, employees look forward to Christmas because of these extra salaries that are given to make Christmas extra joyful and to augment the increasing needs of the season.

7) Filipino Christmas carols

As early as November, enthusiastic kids of all ages, in different ages or group sizes, would go hopping from house to house singing all-time classic Christmas songs in exchange for “pamasko” (Christmas token, usually coins). “Pasko” is the local term for Christmas.

Using their hand-made recycled musical instruments (like metal bottle caps as tambourines, milk cans as drums, and more), they assemble a mini-choir together with their gang (cousins, friends or neighbors).

Their Christmas carols vary from English Christmas songs like “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” or “Jingle Bells” or classic Filipino Christmas songs like “Ang Pasko ay Sumapit” or “Pasko Na Naman”. It’s funny that sometimes, kids would mix up the lyrics and apply their own-invented words because of the lack of familiarity of some words. For instance, they sing “Jingambels, Jingambels Jingle all the way…”

Generous households would give them coins or any amount of money as a token for their caroling. With these, carolers will sing “Thank you, thank you and babait ninyo thank you!” (Thank you, thank you, you are so kind thank you).

On the contrary, if you do not have something to give you may also say “Patawad” (Sorry) – this means that you want them to skip your home.

8) Fillipino Christmas songs : Jose Mari Chan’s Songs

As you may have realized, Filipino are such Christmas-loving citizens. Quite often, our excitement and joyfulness are expressed in Christmas songs which we usually play at home, at schools, in churches, malls and public places, at events and various parties, etc.

Talking about Christmas songs, there’s no other singer quite as popular as this man who has now become an icon of Christmas in Philippines – you’ll know it’s Christmas when you start hearing his songs which start airing as early as SeptemBER. Some of his most popular Christmas songs are:

• Christmas in Our Hearts

• A Perfect Christmas

• Let’s Sing Merry Christmas

9) Christmas Village in Philippines

In the Philippines, different cities and municipalities would set up Christmas Village in their town halls or plaza as a Christmas treat to their constituents.

Glittery lights will cover trees, Christmas-themed decorations fill stages and giant Christmas trees will be the main attraction. Aimed at giving joy to kids and families, Christmas Villages are open to the public with no entrance fee.

Cheerful kids and teens enjoying the Christmas spirit at a Christmas village

With the popularity of social media like Facebook and Instagram, families and friends would often take unlimited picture-perfect photos that they will post on social media. Quite often, group photos taken at one of these Christmas Village becomes their souvenir of a happy memory of Christmas.

Christmas Villages are also often surrounded by street foods that the family can share while enjoying the Christmas Village.

10) Noche Buena Philippines

Noche Buena is the climax of Christmas, when we gather together to share the abundant food on the table on Christmas eve, share a meaningful Christmas and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Filipino Noche Buena

Christmas Attraction: Pampanga’s Giant Lantern Festival

Perhaps, one of the most stunning Christmas attractions every December is in San Fernando, Pampanga.

Located north of Manila, the humble town of Pampanga is dubbed as the “Culinary Capital of the Philippines” and the “Christmas Capital of the Philippines”. Here, local craftsmen take pride in showcasing their expertise in creating intricately designed lanterns in their annual Giant Lantern Festival, a tradition that has long been passed on from generation to generation. An annual celebration of the Giant Lantern Festival is also hosted here on the second week of December.

Parol-maker and a display of his products | Photo by: Kobby Dagan | Shutterstock Photo ID: 1640017111

As you may have already known, lanterns or Parol is an iconic symbol of Christmas in the Philippines. Tourists who come to witness the lantern festival are on a real treat, definitely a must-see feast for the eyes. They often bring home a Parol as a perfect Christmas souvenir too.

Christmas Vacation: Best Place to go in Philippines During December

Without the pandemic and travel restrictions, the following destinations would have been the top-notch choices for a Christmas vacation in the Philippines. With a good combination of relaxing ambiance, rich culture and excellent opportunities for nature as well as sightseeing tours, these are the top 3 places we can recommend (with sample itineraries on the link):

Bohol

Palawan

Cebu & the Visayas

It’s Always a Merry Christmas in Philippines

Almost always, most Filipinos would smile at the thought of Christmas. Seasons may have changed and circumstances can become very difficult at times, but Christmas will always be the best part of our year. It has the power to spark hope and love and joy.

Certainly, Filipinos know how to see the light in Christmas.

Philippine Tour: Planning to Spend a Christmas Vacation in Philippines?

2020 year may not be the best year for traveling but better days will come. Who knows, next year might be the perfect timing to have that long-overdue Philippine Christmas vacation that you deserve.

We customize in creating the best Philippine tour. Let us know if you’ll be interested to experience an epic Christmas vacation in the Philippines – we can certainly help. Feel free to contact us. 🙂

We wish you a blessed Christmas!