Whenever I see boys and girls.... (image you can hear )

Christmas time is the most joyful time of the year. In the Philippines, the holiday season starts at the beginning of September thus we call it the BER months. Prior to the BER months, people are sharing memes about Jose Mari Chan because apparently, his songs have become iconic and also meme material when approaching the holiday season! XD

During the Christmas season, you can .already feel the flair of the holiday spirit, especially in shopping malls. You can hear a bunch of Christmas songs played inside the establishments especially Jose Mari Chan’s and Mari Carey’s “All I want for Christmas is you”. Christmas decorations are heavily present from large Christmas trees, Santa Claus statues, reindeers, photo booths, snowman’s, Christmas lights, and artificial snow. Even though our country is tropical we still enjoy white Christmas inside malls and enjoy the strong air-conditioner of the building. People will also enjoy hanging around the cities, tourist spots, and markets because of the discount privileges present in the holiday season like the malls, amuse*ment parks, cinemas, toy stores, clothing stores, restaurants, e-commerce shops (looking at you 11.11/12.12 shopee) and etc.

Children or rather everyone are the most excited during Christmas because of the season because of gifts, candies, toys, parties, and carolings. Caroling is personally my favorite part of the season because I have the excuse to roam around the neighborhood and the whole town with my cousins during my childhood days. We often made instruments from tansan or flattened bottle caps to make a tambourine, or cans filled with tiny b@lls inside to make maracas or just use hands to clap. We sang a song from Christmas song verse along with a group of children from house to house in order to receive coins as prizes. It’s like trick-or-treat but instead of candies, they hand out pennies or bills. Afterwards, we children (at that time) savor our hard-earned money from caroling to buy ice cream, candies, small toys and fireworks at the roadside. It was a good time to bond with my cousins whenever they visit us from another province. Adults also enjoy Christmas caroling by bringing a guitar and performing a band with a dance number and singing a song which is a lovely sight to see.

Culturally we have a traditional lantern called parol (star lantern) that is hung outside the houses, schools, and other business establishments. Over time the parol has evolved or improvised/altered from bamboo to electric lanterns, recycled lanterns and so on. Schools often make parol making contests to showcase students’ creativity in making lanterns. Also, the school organize plays in stages especially the nativity to reenact the birth of Jesus. Christmas party are also prominent among schools and workplaces when students and employees are preparing for what food they eat, the venue, attire, and the most importantly the secret Santa exchange gifts. When the Christmas party approaches the people will enjoy it because of dancing, singing, raffle games with amazing prizes, and exchanging of gifts. But before anything else, during exchanging presents everyone will form a circle to perform the song “I love my Manito/Manita” as a Christmas party tradition in the country (my personal fave) because of the excitement and anticipation of who is going to give and receive.

Family Christmas reunions are a thing here because all family relatives gather in one place and celebrate together to approach Christmas day. Children of the whole neighboorhood hang around outside to interact, play and lit fireworks while adults play karaoke and prepare for Noche Buena. When it’s already 12 everyone will feast on the food and drinks accompanied with entertainment. It’s the same scenario during the new year but instead of the Noche Buena feast it's called Media Noche and also moooore louder and dangerous fireworks namely Goodbye Philippines, Judas belt, triangle and so on…Filipinos particularly have a belief that during the new year one should collect 12 different kinds of round fruits because it’s good luck for approaching the new year and people should leap and shout “Happy New Year” loudly to grow taller (already did this countless but still I am very short until now )

Although the Pandemic has changed the way Filipinos celebrate we still find a way to communicate with our Family and Friends through a digital approach. Bayanihan spirit is still present amongst Filipinos on how we help each other during calamities and gave change to the less fortunate to celebrate Christmas by donating through foundations like old clothes, toys, food, money, and so on. I believe that the essence of Christmas in the Philippines is not only gift-giving alone but to share the joy and pain of one another. Once again, Merry Christmas and Happy new year! (≧◡≦)

edit: grammar*

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