Christmas in the Philippines: traditions, food, and facts

When does the Christmas season start in the Philippines?

Filipino Christmas traditions are a big part of the culture, partly due to 90% of the country being Christian (with 80% of those being Catholic). In total, 4 months of the festive season are celebrated, from September to the end of December. The Christmas season in the Philippines is the longest-running, globally. Gifts are given, food is lovingly cooked and eaten, and families get together to share in their love for each other. Many traditions are thrown into the mix, ranging from traditional western ones like decorated trees, to faith-oriented ones like Midnight Mass.

Learning why the Philippines celebrates Christmas early is to discover a story rooted in commercialism. Although the country’s faith is strong, their love of shopping is just as strong. Shops begin to play Christmas carols and music as soon as All Saints Day, which is on November 1. This four-month-long festive season has been largely embraced by the population, especially the younger generations. Some older people grumble that it’s “too much” but in general the bright lights, gaudy decorations, and jolly songs make for a well-loved festive atmosphere. After all, as many Filipinos say: “There’s no reason for delaying Christmas since Christmas is always a good idea.”

Formal celebrations begin on December 16. All over the country’s islands, people gather for pre-dawn Christmas masses called “Misa de Gallo” or “Simbang Gabi”. These masses run for nine days and trace their roots back to Spanish missionaries who introduced the practice in the 17th century.

Christian celebrations peak on Christmas Day, December 25, the same date as other countries. The night before, Christmas Eve, hosts a great midnight feast called Noche Buena. Many people stay awake until the next morning when another church service is held. Celebrations continue for the next few days ending on the first Sunday in January when the “Epiphany”, or the Feast of Three Kings is held.

Unique Christmas traditions in the Philippines

Filipino Christmas traditions are many - ranging from familiar western ones like Santa, to more traditional ones rooted in Spanish history. Feasts abound, as do caroling, gift-giving, and lantern-building. Here are some of the most popular Christmas traditions in the Philippines.

Build a Belen

A Belen is a nativity scene. As many Filipinos are Catholic, the Christian nativity story is a core part of the Christmas celebrations. Intricate sets are created from porcelain or even recycled material. The key setup consists of baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. The Three Kings feature in many of them, as do all sorts of barn animals, although they aren't a necessity. Angels often flank the outside, and the whole setup is lit by twinkling lights.

Parols

All over the world Christmas lights are a staple of the festive season. But Filipinos have taken it one step further. A huge, brightly lit star, or Parol, can be found in houses and shops across the country. They were originally designed to light the way to Simbang Gabi and put on lamp posts, but can now be found in various buildings throughout the Philippines.

Simbang Gabi

Simbang Gabi is a series of late-night masses held in the nine days running up to Christmas. The last, and main one, is on Christmas Eve, the 24th of December. It begins very late at night, running into the small hours of Christmas Day morning.

Manito-Manita

Gift-giving with a twist is a favourite Filipino Christmas tradition. Simply giving a gift to your Manito or Manita is way too boring. You have to present the gift to everyone assembled, who will then try to guess what's inside. Once the guessing has finished, you then have to sing “I Love My Manita/Manita Yes I Do” as you hand the gift over.

The red envelope or ang pao

“Aunties” and grandparents gift children money over the Christmas period in either red or blue envelopes. These envelopes are created especially for this, and are called “ang pao”. If you get a big blue one, then you need to remember to be very grateful toward your aunty or grandparent for the whole of the next year.

Coming home for Christmas

Many family members work overseas in order to support their loved ones. During Christmas they travel home, and it's often the only time of the year that families get to be together.

Carolling

Carols are a big Christmas tradition in the Philippines. They often take on a humorous aspect, with homemade costumes and instruments made from recycling. Lyrics are changed from familiar to funny, and the practice often begins as early as mid-December.

Misa de Gallo

Misa de Gallo is the climax to the nine midnight masses in the lead-up to Christmas Eve. It usually centers around the birth of Jesus and involves lots of lights, candles, projector shows, and possibly a re-enactment of the birth.  The belief goes that if you have attended all nine Simbang Gabi masses in the lead-up to Misa de Gallo, then you can make a wish on the final night.

Noche Buena

Noche Buena is the Christmas Eve meal held after Misa de Gallo. The lavish feast is held to welcome in Christmas Day with many people waking up to attend it. Huge amounts of food are prepared together with, the actual feat of cooking the meal being as much a part of the tradition, as the eating.

Feast of the Three Kings

The whole Christmas season in the Philippines is finished off with another big feast called the “Epiphany”, or the Feast of Three Kings. Held on January 6 or the first Sunday in January, it celebrates the three wise men who travel to see Jesus in the manger.

Traditional Filipino Christmas food

Discovering what Philippines eat for Christmas is to explore a range of meals - from noodles to spring rolls, to Buko salad. No matter what is being served, however, cooking the meal is a labour of love carried out by the whole family. Sometimes it's the first time in a year that loved ones have been together and are able to do anything as a family. After nine days of mass, Filipinos celebrate Christmas Eve with the traditional Noche Buena feast.

Some favourite Filipino Christmas meals include:

• Lechon: Slow roast pig served with crispy crackling, and stuffed with peppers, pineapple, chilies, ginger, and lemongrass. Dipping sauces accompany it on the side.

• Bibingka: A sweet and sticky coconut rice cake often served by street vendors around Christmas time. It's cooked in a clay pot and eaten in your hands.

• Pinoy-style spaghetti: Sweet-style noodles with cut-up hotdogs and ground beef. Smothered in a sauce made from banana ketchup, sugar, and tomato paste.

• Embutido: Ground pork meatloaf with veggies, cheese, and raisins. It is stuffed with hard-boiled eggs, more raisins, ham, and cut-up hot dogs.  This is often served as a dish at Noche Bueno.

• Lumpiang ubod: Filipino spring rolls made for sharing. They are stuffed with shrimp, heart-of-palm, veggies, coconut, and pork. Various dipping sauces are served on the side.

• Buko Salad: A very sweet fruit salad made with shredded coconut, various fruits, jelly, sweets, tapioca, and sugar palm, and topped with condensed milk and cream.

• Leche flan: Similar to creme caramel in western countries, this flan is made with cooked condensed milk and caramel, and served cool.

• Puto bumbong: Another rice cake, but this time served in the home for Noche Buena. The purple-coloured dessert is made with steamed glutinous rice and cooked in a bamboo pole. Warm butter, grated coconut, and brown sugar are spooned on top, and the whole pudding is wrapped in banana leaves.

Christmas gifts in the Philippines

Gifts or presents are a big part of Filipino Christmas. Shops begin to sell gifts as early as November, reminding everyone to pick up something shiny for their loved ones. The most widely bought gifts are clothing and footwear - both designer and more humble brands.

Giving gifts is not just a simple exchange either. When you give a present to your “Manito” or “Manita”, you need to let everyone around you spend some time guessing what it is. Boxes are closely examined, shaken gently, and finally opened. When you present the gift to your loved one, you also need to sing the “I Love My Manita/Manito Yes I Do” song. Gift-giving is a time of love, humour, and happiness.

Children all over the country look forward to receiving an envelope or “Aguinaldo” from aunties or grandparents. “Aunties” are usually older women in the family, either married or single. Godparents are especially likely to dish out fat envelopes to their godchildren. Red and blue envelopes are handed out containing cash, with the blue ones being the most sought-after. The cash is usually put into savings, but some lucky children get to spend some on a Christmas treat.

Traditional Christmas songs in the Philippines

Carolling and Christmas songs in the Philippines are a big part of the festive season. There are a number of familiar carols, as well as some more traditional ones. Some favourites include:

• Ang Pasko ay Sumapit by Levi Celerio

• Christmas in our hearts by Jose Mari Chan

• Himig ng Pasko

• Kampana ng Simbahan

• Kumukutikutitap

How to say Merry Christmas in Filipino?

There are several ways to say Merry Christmas in the Philippines. The country has eight major languages, and every one has a special season greeting:

• In Tagalog: “Maligayang Pasko”

• In Llocano: “Naragsak nga Paskua”

• in Ilonggo: “Malipayon nga Pascua”

• In Sugbuhanon or Cebuano: “Maayong Pasko”

• In Bicolano:  “Maugmang Pasko”

• In Angalatok or Pangasinense:  “Maabig ya pasko” or “Magayagan inkianac”

• In Waray: “Maupay Nga Pasko”.

There are many things that make Christmas in the Philippines unique. Their four-month-long celebration, the love of shopping, bright lights, and delicious foods are just a part of it. The best place to spend Christmas in the Philippines is pretty much anywhere. You will be guaranteed beautiful church services, friendly people, and great feasts.

The WorldRemit global family includes a large Filipino community, and we are proud to teach you about Christmas traditions in the Philippines. If you want to learn more about Christmas around the world,  have a look at our article on the subject. And discover the cost of Christmas in different countries.

We wish you a Happy Christmas, or as they say in the Philippines, Maligayang Pasko!

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