MA106 Project 3

Merry Christmas
Santiago, Agusan del Norte
Email Address: mlgusantiago.adn@yahoo.com
Telephone No. 09109243941
CHRISTMAS IN THE
PHILIPPINES
PASKO SA PILIPINAS
One of two predominantly Catholic countries in Asia
(the other one being East Timor), is one of the biggest
holidays in the island. The country celebrates the
world’s longest Christmas season, with Christmas carols
heard as early as September and lasting variously until
either Epiphany, the Feast of the Black Nazarene on
January 9, or the Feast of the Santo Niño on the
third Sunday of January. The official observance by the
Catholic Church in the Philippines is from the beginning
of the Simbang Gabi on December 16 until the
Feast of the Epiphany on the first Sunday of the year.
Every year, Filipinos from around the world mark September
1 as the beginning of the countdown to Christmas.
This countdown, which spans from September to
December, otherwise known as the “Ber Months”, is one
of the most important traditions that makes the world’s
earliest and longest timespan of a Christmas season.
CHRISTMAS DAY
Christmas Day in the Philippines is primarily a family
affair. The Misa de Gallo is celebrated on December
25 and is usually one of several Masses that
all family members (including non-churchgoers) are
present. The Misa de Gallo is often celebrated between
10 pm and midnight, a schedule preferred by
many Filipinos who stay up late on Christmas Eve
for the night-long celebration of the Noche Buena.
Preferably in the morning, Filipinos typically visit their
extended family, especially to pay their respects to
senior relatives. This custom of giving respect is enacted
through the “Págmamáno”. A supplicant takes
A festive lunch may follow the “Págmamáno”.
The menu is heavily dependent upon the finances
of the family, with richer families preparing grand
feasts, while poorer families choose to cook
simple yet special dishes. Some families choose
to open presents on this day after the lunch.
When nighttime falls, members of the family
usually return home or linger to drink,
play parlour games, and chat. Some may
opt to have another feast for dinner, while
a minority spend the entire day at home
to rest after the previous days’ festivities
NEW YEAR’S EVE
On December 31 (Bisperas ng Bagong Taón),
Filipino families gather for the Media Noche a
lavish midnight feast that supposedly symbolises
their hopes for prosperity in the coming
year, and lasts until the following morning as
with the Noche Buena taken on Christmas Eve.
Filipinos make noise both to greet the New
Year and in the belief that the din exorcises
their surroundings of malevolent spirits. In spite
of the yearly ban (due to the national government
restrictions), people in most towns and
cities customarily light firecrackers, or employ
safer methods of merrymaking such as banging
on pots and pans and blowing car horns.
THREE KING’S DAY
Christmas officially ends on the Feast of
the Epiphany, more commonly known as
Three Kings’ Day (Spanish: Día de los Tres
Reyes; Tagalog: Araw ng Tatlóng Harì).
THE LOCAL OFFICIALS AND
HEADS OF OFFICES IN THE
LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF
SANTIAGO EXTEND ITS WARM
WISHES AND PRAYERS
May the good times and treasures of the present be-
come the golden memories of tomorrow for your lovely
family, just as our childhood memories of Holidays
past are such happy recollections now. Wishing you
lots of love, joy and happiness. Merry Christmas!

Christmas
Traditions in the
Philippines
Tradisyon ng Paskong Pilipino
SIMBANG GABI
Completing the Simbang Gabi or Misa de
Gallo is in almost everyone’s bucket list. It
is a tradition originated in the early Spanish
colonial period as a practical compromise
for Filipino farmers who began working before
sunrise, to avoid working in the fields
under the heat of the sun. Simbang gabi
is a nine-day series of masses to honor
Blessed Virgin Mary. The mass starts
from December 16 to Christmas eve. Filipinos
wake up before the crack down to
attend the mass in hopes of having a granted
wish once they complete the nine days
CAROLING
Like any other countries, Christmas is celebrated
with songs and praises. Usually, in the Philippines,
group of people would fill the streets visiting houses
with their instruments like tambourines and guitars
singing their favorite Christmas songs. Then after
the homeowners reward the carolers with money,
they would sing their words of thanks. Recently,
caroling has become a fund-raising activity by
private organizations and Socio-economic groups.
PANUNULUYAN
Another Filipino tradition
ob served in some provinces
in the Philippines.
This tradition is similar to
Mexican Posadas where
the journey of Mary and
Joseph in search for shelter
while Mary was pregnant
is being re-enacted.
PAROL
Parol or also known as Philippine lantern is a
unique Filipino decoration traditionally made from
colorful papers, bamboo sticks, and shaped-like
five-pointed star. In 1928, these lanterns were
originally designed to help villagers find their way to
chapels and churches to pray. Also, these lanterns
are used to further enhance the spirit of Christmas.
Putting up parols in homes, schools, establishments,
offices, and schools is a common Filipino tradition
After the midnight mass
on Christmas, everyone’s
looking forward to this
event. Noche Buena is a
grand family dinner and a
hearty feast full of delicious
Filipino food such as
lechon, pancit, ham, queso
de bola, and a lot more.

How Filipinos celebrate Christmas
THE Philippines is known for having the world’s longest and merriest
Christmas season. Imagine Filipinos celebrating the holiday
for four months, starting from September until early January
when the Epiphany, or the Feast of the Three Kings, is celebrated.
Just when they hear of the “ber” months, people already feel the
Christmas-sy vibe. As early as September, it’s not unusual to see
a series of huge Christmas displays popping up in malls, parks and
open spaces across the country at night. One is the country’s unique
and popular Christmas decoration, known as the parol, or Christmas
lantern hang on houses or streetlamps. The lantern is basically in
the shape of a five-pointed star, representing the star of Bethle
You can already hear Christmas music playing everywhere; children
going around the neighborhood singing Christmas carols in
front of every house; and would hear people saying, “Christmas
na!”, though it is still two months away. Even Christmas
sales and bazaars seek to get people’s attention, not to mention
the rush hours and hassle traffic during these times.
Nevertheless, Filipinos still manage to celebrate
the joyous season and have a merry Christmas.
Friends and families living kilometers away from one another meet
up despite the aberrations. Christmas parties are held here and
there. But what every Filipino looks forward to is the noche buena,
a Philippine tradition where families gather to sit down for dinner on
Christmas Eve and enjoy food specifically made for the evening. It is
a day of family closeness, everyone wishing good cheers and glad
tidings, and when they give and open presents. Traditionally, the most
popular food served on every table are queso de bola and hamon.
The Philippines is also known as a Catholic
country that’s why simbang gabi or dawn Masses,
are very important for many Filipinos, many of whom are Roman
Catholics. It is part of their cherished religious tradition when Filipinos
attend a series of nine Masses, from December 16 until
the Christmas Eve. It is believed that if you make a wish after
completing the nine masses, it will come true. Filipinos go to
church at 4 o’clock in the morning and afterward have breakfast
together. The traditional drink during this season is a warm
ginger tea, called salabat, and the traditional treats are bibingka
and puto bumbong sold outside churches after the dawn Mass.
Christmas is for the children, a most-awaited day because it’s the day for
them to visit their uncles, aunts, godmothers and godfathers who present

AMANTE, PREVIE H.
Pagatpatan, Butuan City
BALITE, OLIVER JOY P.
Cupin Compound, Butuan City
BAYOTAS, JOSE ANTONIO SEAN B.
Butuan City
BERMEJO, RUBIE GRACE L.
Poblacion, Santa Josefa, Agusan del Sur

CANDA, KATHERINE S.
Libertad, Butuan City
CANTON, CHRISTY E.
Barangay Mabini, Cabadbaran City
CASAÑOS, LADY JOY S.
Barangay 26, Gingoog City
CAVAN, JEANIE P.
P-11, FILI, Bayugan City

CIANO, EPHRELYN C.
Doongan, Butuan City
CURILAN, HEHERSON S.
Barangay Bading, Butuan City
DACANAY, VIRGILYN S.
Golden Sun, Sudivision, Butuan City
DAGANTE, JEAN F.
Barangay Marcos, Mangallanes, Agusan del Norte

DULTURA, RAQUEL C.
San Francisco, Agusan del Sur
ESTORBA, AILYNL T.
Barangay 5, Cabadbaran City
LESTONES, GRETCHEN S.
P7, Vinapor, Carmen, Agusan del Norte
MONTINO, ANNIE GRACE D.
P2, Ampayon, Butuan City

PAGLINAWAN, AIZY LYN R.
Barangay Villa Kananga, Butuan City
ROMERO, JEANETTE C.
Butuan City
VELEZ, JANE B.
San Vicente, Butuan City
YAMBA, GENELYN G.
Villa Kananga, Butuan City

AUTHORED BY
BETONIO, ROGER C.
12th Street, Zone 2, Poblacion 2, Santiago, Agusan del Norte