Countries all have a way of marking the start of the Christmas season.
In Italy, decorations are only put up on December 8th or the day of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, while in the US, the season begins in November during Thanksgiving.
In the Philippines, the Christmas season begins on September 1, which marks the start of the so-called ‘BER months’.
The day marks a point where television and radio stations begin playing Christmas carols and hold countdowns.
Shopping centres and department stores also begin playing carols and stock their shelves with decorations during this time.
It is during September that Filipinos erect their trees and decorate their houses with lights and a uniquely Filipino Christmas ornament called a parol.
And because they put a lot of time and effort in decorating their homes, decorations usually stay up until January.
SBS Filipino delves into some of the Christmas traditions of the Philippines.
Buyers stand in front of lanterns known locally as 'parol' on display along a street in Manila Source: AAP
Christmas carols
Filipinos love to sing. During Christmas, this love translates to the tradition of carolling. Children go from house to house singing carols to spread the spirit of Christmas.
They usually form groups and have their customised musical instruments ready.
In return, households are expected to give them a small amount of money.
Children sing Christmas carols near lanterns on display, locally known as 'parol' along a street in Manila. Source: Getty
Simbang Gabi or Dawn Mass
Simbang Gabi is a series of nine dawn masses held for Catholics in the Philippines from December 16–24.
The masses occur at different times daily between 3am and 5am.
On the last day of Simbang Gabi, which is Christmas Eve, the service is instead called Misa de Gallo, which is Spanish for "Rooster's Mass".
It is a common belief that their Christmas wishes will be granted if you complete the nine-day mass.
After the mass, holiday treats like bibingka (baked rice cake) and puto-bumbong (steamed rice cakes) await the churchgoers.
Filipinos attend the first dawn mass as part of Christmas festivities. Source: Corbis News
Noche Buena feast
Noche Buena, or the traditional family dinner on Christmas Eve, is one of the most important family gatherings during the season in the Philippines.
During this gathering, families serve up traditional dishes containing ham and cheese, at times there is even lechon (roasted pig).
There are also fruits that are not eaten on a regular basis such as grapes and apples.
Other Filipino favourites served are pancit (noodles), sweet spaghetti, lumpia (spring rolls), embutido (dry sausage) and kare-kare (savoury stew).
Workers rotate bamboo skewered pigs, or Lechon, as they are roasted over hot coals in Manila Source: Getty
Christmas lantern or Parol
A Christmas lantern or parol is the most iconic Christmas decoration in the Philippines.
It is usually made from bamboo, paper, or capiz shells and comes in various colours, designs and sizes.
For Filipinos, the parol is the symbol of the star that led the Three Kings to the town of Bethlehem on the night Jesus Christ was born and is a staple in most households.
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In addition to Christmas lights, Filipinos hang star-shaped Christmas lanterns. Source: (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Aguinaldo or cash gifts
In the Philippines, the word aguinaldo is also known as cash-gifts.
During Christmas, children anticipate getting cash and presents from their relatives and godparents.
Before they receive their aguinaldo, children must pay their respects to their relatives or godparents by taking their hands and whispering “mano po, ninong, mano po ninang,” which translates to “bless me godfather or godmother".
Philippine banknotes in denominations of 20, 50, 100, and 200 Source: iStockphoto
Monito-monita or Kris Kringle
Giving gifts is a Filipino way of showing love and gratitude to their family and friends.
During Christmas Eve, families gather around the Christmas tree for the activity while Christmas music is playing in the background.
The mechanics of monita-monita are similar to secret Santa, only that the gift-giver reveals the name of his or her ‘monito’ or 'monita' and describes them to the group rather than the other way around.
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Monito-Monita is the Filipino version of Secret Santa Source: Caiaimage
