What do you miss most this Christmas?

No matter how long you've lived overseas, nothing beats 'Paskong Pinoy'.

Christmas lights

Kung wala ka pang decorations para sa Pasko pagdating ng Setyembre, late ka na. Source: Supplied by NGregorio

SBS Filipino team shares what they miss most about Christmas in the Philippines.

1. Putting up Christmas decorations in September

"Christmas is not complete without Christmas lights, Christmas trees and Parol or Christmas lantern. In the Philippines, we put up these decorations as early as September and because we spent so much time and effort decorating, we keep them up until January or February.

When I moved to Australia, I miss the lights I see in the neighbourhood during Christmas. A few of our neighbours have Christmas lights, but it's not as full-on as what we see back home." - Nikki Gregorio, Radio and Online Producer


2. Christmas Carols
“At the start of November, I would start playing Christmas carols. I love listening to one of my favourites, 'Ang Pasko ay Sumapit' because of its happy tune. This song is memorable to me because me and my friends back home used to sing this song for Christmas carolling."- Louie Tolentino, Senior Producer

3. Belen or Nativity scene
Christmas belen
Source: Supplied by CDiones
"Belen or nativity scene is a popular Christmas decoration in the Philippines. The Belen is notable because it reminds people about the birth of Jesus Christ." - Cybelle Diones, Radio Producer

3. Aguinaldo
Aguinaldo
Source: Supplied by R.Masinag
“I always anticipate getting Christmas presents or pamasko from my relatives and godparents. My cousins and I would go together to visit our ninongs and ninangs and get our yearly presents from them. We don't just usually greet them Merry Christmas, but we say, "Namamasko po!" We also pay our respects to our godparents by taking their hands and whispering "Mano po Ninong, Mano po Ninang". If I'm lucky, I would get Php 100 or Php 500 as aguinaldo."- Roda Masinag, Digital Content Producer

4. Noche Buena 
Christmas smoked piggy
Lechon ang isa sa mga pagkaing Pinoy na hindi mawawala sa hapag-kainan tuwing Noche Buena Source: E+Getty Images
"Noche Buena or the traditional family dinner on Christmas Eve is one of the most important family gatherings in the Philippines. It's because it is the only chance to serve special food like ham and cheese, at times there is even lechon or roasted pig! There are also fruits that are not eaten on a regular basis like grapes and apples.

Here in Australia, those are just ordinary food at Noche Buena. But traditions are adhered to. However, those traditions are slowly changing. In the early days, everyone stays up till midnight. After dinner, everyone opens their presents and each one has a story to tell. As everyone has their own place to go home to, the starting times for dinners and leaving times have also changed. What matters most is, everyone shared Noche Buena with the extended family."-Christie Rivera, Radio Producer

5. Christmas Tree
Christmas tree
Source: Supplied by M.Andanar
"When I was a little girl, you’d know that Christmas was around the corner when the scent of my grandmother’s Christmas Pine Tree filled her lounge room, complete with colourful trimmings. I still remember sitting around the tree admiring every single ornament as  the scent of pine tree filled the air."- Maridel Martinez-Andanar, Radio Producer

6. Monito-Monita or Gift Giving
Monito-monita
Source: Supplied by C.Centeno
"Monito-Monita is a Filipino tradition that we anticipate during the Christmas season. Filipinos follow it simply because it is a fun, engaging, and exciting activity with loved ones. 

Back in the Philippines, we have a yearly “Monito-Monita” at home. During Christmas Eve, our family gather around the Christmas tree for the activity while Christmas music is playing in the background. I miss this activity because it is a very rare opportunity for the whole family to have some active fun together."-Claudette Centeno-Calixto, Radio and Online Producer

7. Completing the Simbang Gabi
The Lights of Christmas at St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney December 2016
The Lights of Christmas at St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney December 2016 Source: Supplied by A.Violata
"As a child, I was used to waking up for the dawn masses. My siblings and cousins can’t wait for the mass to finish so we can finally eat bibingka or puto bumbong which we can smell while the mass is ongoing.

I used to believe that completing the nine-day simbang gabi will ensure that your Christmas wish will be granted. But over the years, I realised that it's a tradition that brings the family together in prayer.

Since I started living in Australia, gone are the early morning masses. It's either you go to church for the Midnight Mass or Christmas Mass." - Annalyn Violata, Radio Producer


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4 min read
Published 5 December 2018 3:15pm
Updated 10 December 2019 9:39am
By SBS Filipino
Source: SBS


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