Christmas: A National Fiesta for Filipinos

MANILA, PHILIPPINES:  Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Tuesday (16 Dec) declared a Christmas holiday cease-fire, with communist rebels. The military will suspend offensive military operations against the 5,000-strong New People's Army (NPA) on 24-25 Dec and 31 Dec-1 Jan. (http://www.maysinchew.com/node/19282?tid=37)

The Philippines is known as the "Land of Fiestas," and at Christmas time,  this is especially true.  Filipinos are proud to proclaim their Christmas celebration to be the longest and merriest in the world.  It begins formally on December 16 with attendance at the first of nine pre-dawn or early morning masses and continues on nonstop until the first Sunday of January, Feast of the Three Kings, the official end of the season. The Philippines is the only Asian country where Christians predominate. Majority of its people are Roman Catholic. Christmas, therefore, is an extremely important and revered holiday for most Filipinos.  It is a time for family, for sharing, for giving, and a time for food, fun, and friendship.To most Filipinos, Christmas is the most anticipated 'fiesta' of the year and is celebrated accordingly.  The splendid climate of this tropical island nation, the abundance and beauty of its flowers, and lovely landscape, its multitude of culinary delights, and above all its warm-hearted people with their true devotion to family and faith all contribute to a holiday celebrated in the true Philippines fiesta tradition.
( http://seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/Cyntia/festivals/philipipine_christmas.htm) Christmas in the Philippines, one of two predominantly Catholic countries in Asia, is one of the biggest holidays on the calendar. The country has earned the distinction of celebrating the world's longest Christmas season,[1][2] with Christmas carols are heard as early as September and the season lasting up until Epiphany. The Filipino Christmas would not be complete without the traditional Philippine Christmas symbols and decorations. Christmas lights are strung about in festoons, as the tail of the Star of Bethlehem in Belens, in shapes like stars, Christmas trees, angels, and in a large variety of other ways, even going as far as draping the whole outside of the house in lights. Aside from Western decorations like Santa Claus, Christmas trees, tinsel, etc, the Philippines has its own ways of showing that it is the holidays. In urban areas, especially in Metro Manila, many schools and offices organize Christmas parties, which usually held during the second week of December. Common activities include Kris Kringle, song and dance numbers, a skit or play, and parlor games as well as food being served. In the Philippines, children also celebrate Christmas with the traditional Christmas caroling - going from house to house singing Christmas carols. Makeshift instruments include tambourines made with tansans (aluminum bottle caps) strung on a piece of wire. With the traditional chant of "Namamasko po!", these carolers wait expectantly for the homeowners to reward them with coins. After being rewarded, the carolers thank the owner by singing "Thank you, thank you, ang babait ninyo (you are so kind), thank you!"

An example of a 'Christmas Carol' sung is "Sa may bahay ang aming bati" (from Jim Ayson’s Maligayang Pasko! Home Page):               

 'Maligayang Pasko'   (By: Anna Marie Gesta)              

  Sa may báhay ang áming báti: "Merry Christmas na maluwalháti!"

  Ang pag-íbig, pag siyàng naghári, Aràw-áraw ay mágiging Pasko' lagi!.

                                                  Chorus:

 Ang sanhî po ng pagparíto, Ay híhingi po ng áginaldo.

 Kung sakáli't kami'y perhuwísyo, Pasensya na kayó't kamí'y namámasko!                                             (Ulítin lahàt)

(Translation:)               

 At the house we greet: "A Glorious Merry Christmas!"              

If Love were to reign, then everyday would be Christmas!

                                   Chorus:             

The reason we came here, is to ask for gifts.           

If it so happens we are a bother,

Be patient since we're soliciting for Christmas!

(http://en.wikepedia.org/wikiChristmas_in_the_Philippines)

 Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon sa Lahat!!!