Most of the Filipinos around the world are Christians. Every season of the Liturgical year, Filipino Christians have countless occasions to strengthen their faith to Jesus.
Christmas in the Philippines is known to be the longest celebration of the season around the world. As early as September, you could already see colorful Christmas lights light up the streets at night, witness Christmas lanterns beautify the surroundings, hear different Christmas songs and Christmas carols that children would sing as they visit houses. Of course, every home would strive to "build" their own Christmas tree, even how big or small, simple or extravagant, just to make everyone at home feel the spirit of Christmas.
Schools, universities, companies, workplaces, establishments, even homes, never forget to organize a Christmas Party to celebrate the fruits of their hardwork, their achievements they made throughout the year, or as a get together of families who have not been together for quite some time. Exchanging gifts, or sometimes called "Monito, Monita", is a way to make others feel special by giving them gifts they never expect, or sometimes, as expected, whether it be a material thing or intangible treasures. Well, the intangible ones will always be the most precious gift I would ever receive during Christmas, like love. Games are also played during Christmas parties to make the event more enjoyable.
If children do 'Trick or Treat' during Holloween, there are also 'carolings' during Christmas in the Pilippines, or also called 'manaygon' in dialect, meaning 'the act of appreciation'. Filipinos of every age, mostly children, are welcome to do 'manaygon' around the country. They roam around the streets from house to house carrying their musical instruments. They sing Christmas carols, or dance as they please, in front of each house to entertain the people inside that house. In return, the owner of the house would give them any reward for what they have done, may it be money or material things, like food.
To commemorate the coming of Jesus and His birthday, a series of novena masses celebrated at dawn, beginning from December 16 to December 24 of every year, exactly 9 days before the birth of Jesus. Many Filipinos would devote themselves to attend, or all the more complete the nine-day novena. There is an old belief that if you happen to attend all of these novena masses, your wish will surely be granted. Well, at least it works for me. ;)
Every people from different parts of the world has their own way of celebrating Christmas. But as for me, celebrating Christmas in the Philippines is still the best.
No matter where we are, it is always always unforgettable to spend Christmas day with the whole family. Even if we are away from them, at least there are social media platforms that makes it possible to connect with them. No matter how many parties we went to, or even have the luxury of time to travel to places, it will forever be essential to remember the true meaning of Christmas, that is, being selfless.
