Well there is a “ber” in the month! Merry Christmas!

by Babel-Fish | October 10, 2009 at 07:05 pm

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Being an atheist and living in the Philippines that have, what seems to be the longest Christmas period in the World. Can be very amusing yes it all starts in September and I have already received a Christmas present list of some of my adopted god children (so to speak) at the end of September.

I of course join in the celebrations I have no other choice but too, it’s a case of when in Rome do as the Romans do, or you’ll be frowned at and the kids show you their sad faces.

Well the saying is if there is a “ber” in the month its Christmas so the local stores are selling plastic Christmas Trees and decorations and of course piping Christmas Carols. The street beggar’s children have started singing Carols the Filipino traditional style shaking a small stick that has small metal discs that clash together when shaken in an attempt to make music.

At the end of October the Christmas lights go up outside, it’s actually a task I love to do as I know the young children appreciate my design work, that makes it worth while. In November the Carol Singers will be at my gate, we have already saved many small domination coins to give the carolers this year. We buy loads of sweets and small toys and make small Christmas packs to give to the young children Carol singers nearer to Christmas day.

The Catholic Churches will be shortly decorating the outside of their place of worship with Xmas lights that will even illuminate their belfry’s and the town and city centers will be adorned with amazing illuminations. Filipino’s take great efforts in enjoying Christmas the richer neighbors often invite their poorer neighbors to a Christmas party.

Each year I buy a large sack of rice or two to split amongst the poorer members in my Barangay (village) and give out toys etc. It’s the custom if you are well off to show charity at Christmas time. However about 50% of the richer people in society lock their gates and don’t heed the carol singers.

Sometimes the carol singers come back the same night so I take photo’s of them to discourage crafty greed, lol I all ways make sure the sing the whole Carol before giving a reward. Even though I am an atheist I really enjoy this time of year it’s a time I joke with the kids that come to my gate. I see that brilliant smile that only Filipino kids can produce that instantly lights up the darkness. Filipino’s really know how to smile even when things are really bad and not going too well for them.

Well it’s Christmas again and well all I can do now is to wish you a

Merry Pasko from the land that always starts Christmas early.

Ops yes of course! Happy holiday – for the political correct crowd in the USA

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Babel-Fish

at 19:08 on October 10th, 2009

Dear Santa,

I have been a good boy this year and really deserve a nice present so please drop something nice down my chimney this year.

mudricky

at 03:17 on October 11th, 2009

Do you actually have a chimney?
A lot of people don't have one now. I don't.

sara star

at 19:33 on October 10th, 2009

Do you get snow?

Babel-Fish

at 20:10 on October 10th, 2009

Yes sometimes in the mountains of the main island of Luzon, However most Filipino's have never seen snow and Christmas is a very sunny affair a sort of tropical delight.

Normally spit roast pork is eaten with rice and amazing fish dishes. Round fruit is placed in big fruit bowls and apples are looked at as being exotic. Where as pineapples are not. lol

Religion is a big part of the holiday here and the festivity is very cutral Filipino the men folk will sit in the evening eating and dipping small pieces of pork whilst drinking from a glass of beer or rum and lemonade that's past around the table. Normal such a fast is held outside and anyone that passes by is asked to join the party. I normally do the same thing but I insist that everyone has their own glass. I mix the traditional culture with my own, roast Turkey and potatoes are also part of the traditional Christmas lunch repasts. Or as well my Christmas party normally held on my partners birthday 20th December.

We have a good time here and Christmas does start very early and ends on New years day and New years Eve is the highlight of the whole affair.

I forgot to mention the firework's that are constantly let off through out December up to new years day, 24 hours a day, glad to say I live in a less populated area so the bangs are not so near as to disturb me that much. lol

israeli.agent

at 01:41 on October 11th, 2009

Nice to know that Christmas will still be alive atleast in some part of the world - unlike elsewhere in the where it "political-correctly" renamed as "Happy" and "Season" or merely "Holiday".

.Agent.

Babel-Fish

at 16:43 on October 11th, 2009

Its alive and kicking in most third world Catholic countries and happy holliday is not used as its does not sound so jolly.

nanute

at 01:56 on October 11th, 2009

According to PIM of Spain, Chinese Christmas ornament production is down by 50% from last year. Please tell all the Fillipino's you know about this problem. Maybe they can help.

It is still called Christmas by Christians. People that are not say Happy Holidays, etc. I don't know why this upsets people, and I don't think it has anything to do with "political correctness."

Babel-Fish

at 17:01 on October 11th, 2009

The filipino's mostly buy xmas lights, maybe a small tree, the houses of the poor are normally sparse of decoration the outside is more important but they can not afford much. Only the rich and middle class buy the main bulk of the decoration once again though the outside is more important than the inside decoration. I follow this rule as we spend more time outside on our veranda at Christmas time if the weather is good. Not a lot can be done concerning boosting China's Christmas decoration sales.

It certainly is a political correct thing concerning the authorities in the USA and its completly stupid thats why it upsets many Christians. It's bemeaning to their holy holiday that has a name that means something special to them. If you called Ramadam the wots it fast and holiday the Muslims would feel insulted also. No Christmas is Christmas and it should be called just that.