Christmas Celebration Filipino Style
Since I was a kid, I was brought up with what I call Filipino tradition of celebrating Christmas. My family attends the Misa de Gallo (dawn mass) for nine consecutive days before the Christmas Day, December 25.
We have to sacrifice waking up very early to hear mass at 4AM or 4:30 AM depending on the parish. After the mass, I happily tread back home with my parents and along the way we buy rice cakes of various kinds (including puto-bumbong - rice cake with violet color cooked in bamboo, spread with Star Margarine then topped with young coconut and sugar) - enough to satisfy a kid's palate.
On the 24th of December at 10:00PM, we hear mass (the midnight mass) and wear our best clothes - usually new shoes, new clothes, etc... After the mass, we have our noche buena, midnight meal, with our family including our grandparents, aunties and uncles, and first cousins. We see to it that we are complete. It's our family reunion, too! What is nice with this noche buena is the variety of food on the table! Almost always there will be the Chinese ham, quezo de bola (cheddar cheese in ball shape), baked chicken, barbeque, sausages, crispy pata or lechon, menudo, baked fish topped with mayonnaise and cheese, tossed salad, spaghetti or pancit, bread, wine, fruit cake, fruit salad (with shredded young coconut meat) and fresh fruits (like apples, pear, chico, bananas, pineapple, oranges)...it's literally a feast day!
After feasting, we gather in our living room near the huge Christmas tree, where gifts are displayed. Then, we exchange gifts and open them to our joy and delight. Of course, picture taking to document the event will not be missed. Except for the novena masses and exchange gifts, everything is repeated for the New Year celebration.
Now that I have my own family (I have only three children - all grownups), we still try our best to follow that Christmas tradition that I have grown up with. This time, however, it's much simpler...food and gifts no longer become the focal point...the family gathering, hearing mass together and praying as a family matter more.
Christmas has always been about merry-making, giving and receiving. It has lost its meaning through the years, and it has become sooo commercialized. But, is it not about the joy of waiting? Reflecting on the coming of our Savior? Christmas for me is for the poor in spirit and everyone must be prepared and ready to receive that gift...the gift of salvation.
May we all have a meaningful celebration of Christmas not only this year but through the years to come. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
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