Due to changing quarantine measures, the activities, destination/s, store/s, establishment/s featured in this article might be temporarily prohibited or closed under the latest government policies. LGUs might also implement health protocols and travel requirements. Please get in touch with the establishment/s before visiting. Stay safe!
Christmas is indeed the most wonderful time of the year! And for Filipinos, the season starts as early as September and extends up to the Feast of the Three Kings. It may even last up until the Feast of the
Santo Niño (Holy Child). But the
Christmas activities this 2019 are more than just gift-giving and caroling. Some Filipinos want to complete all nine days of the
Simbang Gabi (dawn masses) while others organize family reunions for relatives living in other parts of the world.
Since there are many Filipino Christmas traditions, we asked our readers what are the
Christmas activities this 2019 they would normally do during the season. We wanted to know and they answered. And the results are rather heartwarming.
5. See the Giant Lantern Festival in the Christmas Capital of the Philippines
Fifth place of this list is to see the Giant Lantern Festival in the Christmas Capital of the Philippines which features a competition of giant lanterns or parols in San Fernando, Pampanga. Its popularity allowed the city to be christened as the “Christmas Capital of the Philippines”. The festival started as a simple event at neighboring town of Bacolor before it became the festival it is now after the provincial capital was transferred to San Fernando. The giant lanterns have a width of around fifteen feet and feature awe-inspiring designs. Thousands of tourists also visit San Fernando every year to witness the kaleidoscope of colors these giant lanterns create. The Giant Lantern Festival typically starts in the middle of December and ends on January 2.
3. Create Some of the Christmas Recovery Recipes, Complete the Simbang Gabi, and Christmas Staycation
Creating Christmas recovery recipes, completing the nine-day Simbang Gabi (evening masses), and Christmas staycation shared the third spot on this list.
Create Some of the Christmas Recovery Recipes
It’s no question that Filipinos love food. And this love for food may even be the reason why we eat too much during special occasions, particularly during Christmas. Due to this, some of our readers want to recover from the food coma they experience after overindulging themselves during the season by creating Christmas recovery recipes. While there are several Christmas recovery recipes available online, you may also opt to put your own personal touch to make the dishes unique. Additionally, these recipes allow you to spoil yourself without having to worry about ruining your diet.
Complete the Simbang Gabi
The Simbang Gabi is one of the most treasured Christmas traditions among Filipinos. Every year, millions of Filipino Catholics wake up before the crack of dawn to attend the mass. It is a tradition that was introduced by Spanish friars who allowed farmers to attend mass before they tend to their fields early in the morning. Aside from the belief that completing the nine days of the Simbang Gabi will grant a personal wsh, Filipinos also look forward to the food prepared right after the mass. Among the food normally served after the mass are the bibingka (rice cakes) and puto bumbong (steamed purple pastries).
Christmas Staycation
In the past, Filipinos normally go home to the provinces to spend Christmas with their families. But in recent years, there has been a growing trend for families to spend Christmas at a hotel. With many people leaving the city, it will be less crowded during the holidays. Instead of joining many others who brave the trip, some families prefer to book a stay at a hotel close to them. In fact, several hotels in the metro offer deals for families who opt to avoid all the hassle of going on a trip. These deals include special rates, food and beverage discounts, and access to the amenities of the hotel.
2. Watch MMFF Entries, Videoke Session At Home, and Gift Giving
Second spot belongs to another trio of Christmas activities Filipinos enjoy: watching MMFF entries, videoke sessions at home, and gift giving.
Watch MMFF Entries
The holiday season is special for local filmmakers since they can showcase their storytelling talents during the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). Moreover, only the eight selected films are shown in movie theaters around the country throughout the festival. Due to this, many Filipinos prefer watching the MMFF entries since they have numerous theater options where they can watch their favorite movies. The MMFF starts on Christmas day and will run up until the first weekend of January.
Since Filipinos are known to be great singers, it is not surprising to have videoke (music entertainment system) sessions at home. Moreover, numerous videoke bars have popped up like mushrooms all over the country. This love for singing has become a part of Filipino culture since it represents the sense of family and belongingness among Filipinos. For Christmas, the songs of Jose Mari Chan may be on top of the song list along with songs of popular local and international musicians.
Gift Giving
Who doesn’t like receiving gifts during Christmas? While many people love receiving gifts, others take joy in being able to give something nice to somebody else. Giving may be better than receiving, but you should not go into debt just to be able to give something special to a loved one. To avoid this, you should make a gift list and set a budget for each gift you will give. You may even personalize your gift if the budget is somewhat tight. Some gift ideas include a specially-framed photo of the recipient or a gift card from their favorite coffee shop. What is important is that you put a lot of thought to your gift and make sure it is something they will value. In the end, it’s always the thought that counts.
Yoorekka has helpful articles that can guide you this Christmas season!
1. Noche Buena
Topping this list of the best things to do on Christmas is the Noche Buena. When translated from its Spanish root, it simply means “good night”. But for Filipinos, it is more than that. It is an evening where the family comes together for a special dinner on Christmas Eve. This normally comes after the family attends the Misa de Gallo (Christmas Eve mass). After the mass, the family gathers around the dinner table filled with traditional Christmas dishes, which includes the lechon (roasted suckling pig), pancit (long rice noodles), queso de bola (cheese ball), and ham. Additionally, the dinner table may also have relyenong bangus (stuffed milkfish), fried chicken, and lumpia (spring rolls). This is probably the most meaningful meal of the year for Filipino families. Moreover, no one takes a bite to eat until the clock strikes twelve.
Filipinos have numerous Christmas traditions showing how much they value the most wonderful day of the year.