PHOTO COURTESY OF http://www.pasigcity.gov.ph By Lilian G. Comsti
Features
It
is said that the Philippines has the longest Christmas season that begins as
soon as the “ber” months
appear on the calendar. For where in the world could one hear Christmas carols
in September?
And where else in the world could one see malls bedecked with colorful holiday decors immediately after All Souls’ Day?
Christmas is the time of the year in
the Philippines when business is brisk brought about by
the gift-giving needs of individuals and companies and the seemingly endless
gatherings.
Filipino Catholic Family Christmas
Traditions
Christmas is also the time of the
year when families gather to celebrate. But the modern-day
diaspora of Filipinos, either residing abroad or toiling as OFWs, has made this
impossible. Thanks
to modern technology, those who cannot be home for Christmas can at least share
with their
loved ones the joy of this season despite the distance. As an ad of a
telecommunications company
says, “Malayo man, laging 2-gether ang
pamilya ngayong Pasko.” Others send “balikbayan”
boxes filled with presents for every family member, relatives, and close
friends as their
way of making their presence felt even in spirit.
What adds more color to this season
of joy is the Catholic tradition of “Simbang Gabi” – the
nine-day Masses in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and in preparation for the commemoration
of the birth of our Savior. Although the penitential character of sacrificing
hours of
sleep is recognized, anticipated “Simbang Gabi” has been allowed in the
Philippines. This has given
more people, especially families, the opportunity to practice this tradition.
One may see families
even opting to attend these Masses in chapels inside shopping malls.
The “puto bumbong” and the
“bibingka” are Filipino delicacies closely associated with the
Simbang Gabi and have become part of the food fare that Catholic families
partake of with steaming
“tsaa” or coffee after attending Mass. It has been observed that those selling
these food items
are also families that have made it their tradition to make these delicacies
only during the Christmas
season.
Filipino Catholic families decorate their
homes for Christmas with colorful lights, garlands
and the native “parol”. Christmas trees are a common sight. But the most
important reminder
of this season is the “Belen” which every Catholic home must have for there we
find the
true reason for this celebration – the birth of our Savior. It has to have a
prominent place in the
house where the whole family gathers to share each other’s joy and give thanks to the God not
only for the gift of family but for his gift to humanity which is his Son Jesus
Christ.
Every Filipino Catholic family
prepares for the noche buena which is
shared after attending
the Mass on Christmas eve. The food need not be expensive although most
families,especially
the mothers, make it a point to serve something special. What matters most is
that all the
family members are present.
The spirit of giving and sharing
among family members is what makes Christmas an occasion
to look forward to. It is in giving that we are remembered and it is also in
giving that we
show we remember those close to our hearts.
The Filipino Catholic family extends
this spirit to those who are less fortunate. Visiting orphanages,
donating toys and necessities to charity institutions and supporting relief
drives for disaster-stricken
areas, like the provinces ravaged recently by typhoon Pablo, are gestures that give
meaning to this celebration.
Celebrating the New Year
Celebrating the New Year
The Philippines welcomes the New Year with so much noise from firecrackers. It is said that we learned this practice of using firecrackers from the Chinese who believe that noise drives away evil spirits. We wake up in the morning of New Year ’s Day with smog (smoke from firecrackers and burned tires and fog) filling the air and the streets covered with all sorts of litter.
For years, the government has been conducting campaigns against the use of firecrackers because of the danger they pose to life, property, and health and the pollution they bring to the environment.
The Catholic Church is advocating alternative ways of greeting the New Year which do not have the adverse effects of using firecrackers. To make noise, our families could play loud lively music or use pots and pans or blow the “torotot” which comes in various sizes.
After all the merrymaking, the Filipino Catholic family could gather and say together a prayer of thanksgiving to God. There is so much to thank God for the year that had just passed – family, health, guidance, friends, and all the other blessings that God had bestowed on us.
The Filipino Catholic family starts the
New Year also with a prayer of trust in God’s providence
and guidance for the year ahead. And we should not forget to thank God for the
gift of
the Blessed Virgin Mary whose “yes” to God’s plan inaugurated the
accomplishment of the mystery
of Incarnation. She cooperated with God and she became the Mother of God whose solemnity
we observe on
the first day of the new year.
log: Features
log: Features
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