Details you may or may not be aware of about the festive season in the Philippines
Christmas in the Philippines is special. We have the longest Yuletide season in the world that spans six months. Among the predominantly Christian countries in Asia, namely, East Timor, Cyprus, Russia, Armenia, and Georgia, the Philippines is the only one where the holiday is celebrated as early as September or the beginning of what is otherwise known as the ber months. Our love for the sacred religious holiday that doubles as a cultural phenomenon may be attributed to the fact that 80 percent of the Filipino population is Catholic by religion.
The question now is how well do you know the Filipino Christmas? Here are interesting conversation pieces, some thought-provoking information regarding Paskong Pinoy.
‘Pasko’ etymology
Christmas translated in Tagalog is Pasko, derived from the Spanish Pascua that originated from the Latin Pascha, which stems from the Hebrew Pasach, a Jewish holiday. In many languages, Pasko and its various iterations simply mean pascal or Passover.
Bonus knowledge: The phrase “Paskong tuyo,” refers to Christmas without gifts. It comes from the idea that an impoverished Christmas would mean one can only afford dried fish as holiday feast. On the other hand, the Feast of Epiphany every sixth of January is called “Pasko ng matatanda (feat of the elderly)” to honor senior citizens.
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Christmas before Magellan
A controversy about the holiday in the Philippines involves an Italian priest who might or might not have managed to beat the Spaniards by more than two centuries in celebrating the archipelago’s first Christmas.
Some believe that Christmas was already commemorated on some of the scattered islands that would later be called collectively as Las Felipinas prior to Spanish arrival. Italian friar Father Odoric Mattiussi is said to have administered a Misa De Gallo (midnight mass) between 1280 and 1320 A.D. in a place called Thalamasin (Malaysian term for “land of salt”). There are speculations that Thalamasin is the modern-day Pangasinan, which means “the place of salt-making.” Evidence of this idea is a monument in Bolinao where Father Odoric supposedly conducted the mass. A counterargument, however, is that the Franciscan from Italy never reached Pangasinan but instead could have been referring to Borneo’s Banjarmasin.
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Medyas Noche
Did you know that there is a Filipino equivalent for the western tradition of leaving empty socks or stockings for Santa Claus to fill up with goodies like presents and candies? A holdover custom from the Spanish era, every Feast of the Three Kings Filipino children would put out their new and best-polished shoes outside the door or window so that the passing three kings could stuff them with treats. Sometimes, kids would even put out water and grass as offering to the kings’ camels.
Our love for the sacred religious holiday that doubles as a cultural phenomenon may be attributed to the fact that 80 percent of the Filipino population is Catholic by religion.
This tradition is rarely ever practiced today, but it still exists in a handful of places in the country.
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The role of parol
An icon in Filipino-style Christmas is the parol, a five-pointed star-shaped decoration usually constructed using bamboo and Japanese paper. Little-known fact: The parol is based on the Mexican piñata. Meanwhile, the container filled with treats originated from the pignatta of Italy. The parol’s intended function is to serve as lamps to light the way for churchgoers attending early morning masses.
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Simbang umaga
It is said that complete attendance of the Simbang Gabi (masses at dawn) would mean that whatever you prayed for would come true. But beyond this haka-haka (theory), strict Catholics would make it a point to attend the series of masses that honors the Blessed Virgin Mary as well as the Misa de Gallo.
The tradition of the early mass came from the Spanish colonial period as a practical compromise for Filipino farmers who would work before sunrise to avoid working under the heat of the sun. Simbang Gabi starts from the Dec. 16 to Christmas Eve.
From 1680 to 1689, colonial Filipinos missed nine years of Simbang Gabi services because of a Vatican decree implemented by Manila Archbishop Felipe Pardo. The decree was also implemented in Spain, Azores, and Mexico, and was issued due to the churchgoers and choirs’ habit of singing Christmas songs in their native tongue. At the time, singing in the vernacular was only allowed for the entrance and recessional songs.
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Filipinized “Silent Night”
“Payapang Daigdig” is a song written by National Artist Felipe Padilla de Leon during the Japanese invasion. This local counterpart of “Silent Night” was composed by De Leon after seeing a ruined Manila. The Christmas song was intended to ease anxiety and give hope to the Filipino people. The tune is like a somber lullaby.
Figuring out the Nativity figurine
Another popular décor in the Philippines, aside from the Christmas tree and parols, is the Belen, the Spanish word for “Bethlehem.” The Crèche is a model of the nativity scene, a depiction of the holy couple at the manger with the newborn Jesus Christ. It is a symbol that reminds the faithful about God’s begotten son who took the form of a slave to redeem humanity.
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Pera-normal activity
The role of ninong and ninong (godparents) in the Philippines has often been misunderstood as that of a glorified Santa Claus. This is where the concept of aguinaldo comes in. And, no, aguinaldo is not related to the first Philippine president, but is the Spanish term for bonus. Its prevalent use is said to have originated from Filipino workers of the Spanish period, receiving extra pay from the generosity of rich employers during the Christmas season. Now, the term is interpreted as gift or money received from benefactors, typically the deep-pocketed relatives and godparents.
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Sa maybahay ang aming bati
Children in small groups would normally go house hopping to sing Christmas carols. This act is called pangangaroling. Makeshift instruments include tambourines made from tansans, aluminum bottle caps strung on a piece of wire. Kids expect homeowners to give them pamasko (Christmas presents and cash) after their performance.
Diving deeper into caroling, Spanish carols called villancinco in colonial Philippines were initially only done during mass but soon found their way into the streets due to their popularity. Villancinco went out of style when the Spanish rule concluded. This paved the way for carols to be sung in the vernacular and English.
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Resignation season
Every after Christmas, at the first quarter of the New Year, memes and jokes about resignation would always trend online. This is because there is a notion that the best time to exit a dreaded job is after you have received your 13th month pay, sick and annual leave conversions, bonuses, and tax refund. Plus, you know, New Year, new job, new you. Every after Christmas comes a new slate.