In the Philippines, you don’t really need to wait until December before things begin to “look a lot like Christmas.” As soon as the ‘ber’ months kick-off, many Filipinos will already begin decorating their houses with beaming and vibrant Christmas decor. Shopping centers and other establishments start their display of grand Christmas trees, dynamic lights, and colorful decorations that bring out the jolly holiday vibes. 

Along with the early cheery Christmas decorations, it is not surprising to hear Christmas songs blasting over the radio and in shopping malls throughout the country as early as September. And, not only that, no Christmas playlist in the Philippines will be complete without the timeless Jose Mari Chan Christmas songs. Dubbed as the country’s Father of Philippine Christmas Carols, Jose Mari Chan’s holiday hits particularly “Christmas in Our Hearts,” and “A Perfect Christmas” have become well-loved and symbolic holiday tunes that signify that the country’s favorite time of the year is drawing near.

The festive season in the country won’t be complete without the exuberant and colorful pieces of Christmas decors. Influenced by the American culture, Santa Claus, Christmas trees, poinsettias, reindeer, and snow have become staple holiday decorations in houses and establishments in the country. 

Despite this, traditional Filipino decorations still stand out throughout the holiday season. Parol is the most popular and symbolic traditional Filipino Christmas decoration. 

Made from bamboo sticks and colorful papers, parols are five-pointed star lanterns that usually come with two hanging tails, but may come in different variations as well.  These parols represent the star of Bethlehem which serves as the guide for the three wise men towards the manger where the infant Jesus lay. 

As the yuletide season draws near, you will see houses and streets glowing with lively parols. And, in San Fernando Pampanga, known as the “Christmas Capital of the Philippines,” there is an annual Giant Lantern Festival that takes place during the month of December where you can see a parade of giant and colorful lanterns in grandiose display. This festival has attracted local and foreign spectators alike as 11 barangays in Pampanga take part in showcasing their most elaborate Christmas lanterns.

Another known tradition that is part of the country’s yuletide celebration is Christmas caroling. Kids and adults form groups bringing with them musical instruments that include guitars and improvised tambourines made of recycled bottle caps called ‘tansans’ and would visit houses to sing Christmas songs for the homeowners. When done singing, the homeowners would typically hand out coins or gifts to the carolers. After which the carolers will sing a special thank you song for them. 

In the Philippines, Christmas parties are already part of the way they celebrate the yuletide season. It is common for Filipinos to organize and celebrate Christmas parties a week before Christmas or right before schools and some offices go on a holiday break. 

There is a Christmas party among offices, companies, organizations, classmates, churchmates, barkadas/tropas (group of friends), and even among basketball teammates. Forget about diet, as these joyous social gatherings are marked by the sharing of delicious food and drinks apart from a variety of fun activities and merriments. 

Christmas parties also usually include Christmas programs, parlor games, and musical performances. There’s also the Filipino’s Kris Kringle or version of Secret Santa known in the country as ‘Monito/Monita’ where participants pick their secret names and bring their gifts to exchange with each other.

The Belen is another Christmas symbolism in the Philippines. Widely used as a Christmas decor in houses, offices, schools, churches, shopping malls and various business establishments, the Belen depicts the Nativity scene or the birth of Jesus where the infant Jesus is in a manger and is surrounded by Mary and Joseph, along with the Three Wise Men and their camels, the shepherds and their flocks, and some stable animals. 

You may also see an angel or star completing the decor. The Belen are typically put on display until the Feast of the Three Kings which marks the end of the yuletide celebration in the country. Often, there are contests held in various communities where prizes and cash gifts are given to the best Belen on display.

As a predominantly Catholic country, one of the most important Christmas traditions among Filipinos is the ‘Simbang Gabi.’ Also known as Misa de Gallo, Simbang Gabi is commonly part of the Filipinos’ holiday bucket list. 

People will wake up early to attend a series of nine dawn masses that typically start at 4 o’clock in the morning, starting from December 16 and ending on Christmas eve. Many Filipinos believe that their wish will be granted once they complete the nine masses. 

In addition, part of Simbang Gabi is the traditional Filipino delicacies or ‘kakanin’ that include bibingka and puto bumbong (purple steamed rice cake) sold outside churches which are favorite treats among churchgoers after hearing the dawn mass.

Christmas is not just the most anticipated celebration among adults in the country, but most especially for the kids as well. 

On Christmas Day, December 25, it has become a tradition among Filipinos to visit their relatives. Donning their finest clothes, kids will visit the houses of their uncles and aunties as well as their godfathers and godmothers known as ‘ninongs’ and ‘ninangs’ respectively. 

The kids will make the traditional Filipino honoring gesture called ‘mano or pagmamano’, in which the kids will bow towards the hand of their elder relatives and press their forehead on the elder's right hand. The kids will then happily receive their ‘pamasko’, popularly called as ‘aguinaldo’, which are typically crisp money bills, toys, candies, and clothes.

One of the most popular Christmas traditions that Filipinos look forward eagerly is the Noche Buena. Noche Buena is celebrated during Christmas eve where every Filipino family is gathered together for a hearty feast of traditional Christmas foods which typically include Christmas ham or ‘hamon’, queso de bola, the popular lechon, roasted chicken, pancit, and a lot more. 

During Christmas eve, apart from sharing their festive Noche Buena, this is also the time when Filipinos open their gifts or presents coming from their friends and loved ones.

For the most part, Christmas is considered a family affair in the Philippines. It is the time of the year where family members and relatives gather around and spend time bonding with each other. In fact, most family reunions are held during Christmas day. Filipinos working from different parts of the world usually come home to celebrate the holidays with their families and loved ones. 

As for Filipinos, more than the food on the table, the elaborate Christmas decorations, or the presents under the Christmas trees, Christmas will not be the same when the family is not complete.