When it comes to traditions, Filipino families each have their own that they follow and hand down to the kids along with all of the traditions we all grew up following. Whatever the occasion, we have traditions that we all follow, and this is especially true during the Christmas season. For some families, it could be making dishes like kare kare from scratch and maybe even some leche flan for dessert, and for other families, it could be sitting around the family TV watching the annual Christmas movie.
We all have traditions that we follow, but there are some traditions, especially ones during Christmas, that we should try to pass down to all the kids so that they have a bit of Filipino culture and old traditions with them as they grow up and ones they’ll hopefully pass down to their children too.
From vibrant parades of lights to scrumptious meals and desserts, Filipinos truly know to keep traditions alive. With that in mind, what are some of the traditions our children should know of? We’ve made a list of some of the best traditions we’ve grown up with. Read on to see what they are and tell us what you think!
Noche Buena
This tradition is one that every family definitely looks forward to since it’s the most festive and delicious feast that we all tend to get out of all the days of the year. Filipinos celebrate Noche Buena, a big feast, on Christmas Eve, usually at midnight. It’s an event where families and friends cook and prepare extravagant meals such as ham, queso de bola, spaghetti, leche flan, lechon, and fruit salad for dessert.
In the Philippines, Noche Buenas are generally celebrated with extended families, neighbors, and family friends, and serves as a reminder that Christmas is all about celebrating with the people you love.
Hanging Parols
If there’s one thing that makes Filipino Christmases extra special, it’s the parols or Christmas lanterns. These colorful, brightly lit stars adorn all the poles, trees, and houses once the Christmas season comes around. A parol emphasizes hope as well as the Filipinos' inventiveness and resourcefulness.
During the holiday season, streets are typically decorated with five-pointed stars of various sizes, materials, and shapes. The parol, which was first created using vibrant paper and bamboo sticks, has seen numerous inventive design changes. These days, capiz shells, fairy lights, and even wonderfully repurposed plastic are used to create the more modern parols.
Visiting Relatives
Christmas is a time for giving and it’s also a time for spending time with family members. During Christmas, it’s usually tradition to make time for seeing or visiting extended family members or welcoming them into your homes on Christmas day or the days after Christmas. It’s during this time when everyone brings something to the table or a feast is prepared and everyone can eat and enjoy the holiday together.
This is the perfect time for children to see relatives they don’t usually get to see, be they a distant cousin, a grandparent, or a family friend who’s basically part of the family already.
Indulging in Traditional Filipino Food and Desserts
Filipino traditions are highly centered around food, so it comes as no surprise that one of the Christmas traditions everyone should know has to do with food. While there may be traditional food that is seen as “Christmas food” like puto bumbong, binbingka, lechon, or hot chocolate, there are also other main dishes and desserts that some families only bring out during the holiday season.
This is an easy tradition to pass down to kids since they most likely will already love all the food you do, especially if they already know that the food is associated with the holiday. This will easily be something they look forward to all year, just like you and the rest of the family.
Completing Simbang Gabi
Simbang Gabi literally translates to "night mass," which is what it is. For the nine (9) days leading up to Christmas, Filipinos go to mass in the late hours of the night or early hours of the morning. Both as a religious obligation and in accordance with the notion that attending each of the nine masses will result in a desire, we make an effort to finish all nine days.
The thrill of Christmas is increased by the entire experience of getting up early, getting dressed, savoring the seasonal crisp breeze of December, and attending church with loved ones, family, or friends. It's an intriguing traditional Filipino belief that your Christmas wish will come true when you complete the nine-day Simbang Gabi. It's up to you to choose whether or not it's accurate.
Setting Up a Belen
Nativity scenes, also known in the Philippines as the “belen”, are typically only put up in churches or other places of worship. But throughout the years, it became a practice in many homes all over the country to have belens put up during the holiday season.
Baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the Three Kings, and every barn animal you can imagine make up a complete set, but many belens omit the latter two because they are not as crucial. These days, you can also find these nativity scenes in classrooms, building lobbies, and homes. It’s also made of many different materials these days such as cement, porcelain, or even repurposed materials.
This is one tradition that you can pass down to your kids easily, especially if you plan to make a belen with them or using the figurines they made for the belen.
Caroling
As any Filipino would know, singing and performing are part of the makeup of every Pinoy. So, it comes as no surprise that caroling is one tradition that is passed down to everyone. Whether done with a karaoke machine or done door to door, Filipinos will never skip out on caroling during the Christmas season.
Children of all ages, in various age groups or group sizes, would hop from house to house singing timeless Christmas carols in exchange for "pamasko," or Christmas money, as early as November.
The usual songs sang during the caroling period range from traditional Filipino carols like "Ang Pasko ay Sumapit" or "Pasko Na Naman" to English carols like "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" or "Jingle Bells." Whether you’re doing this for fun or for the Christmas money, this is one tradition that’s just enjoyable to do and one that’s worth passing down.
Monito Monita
This tradition is the Filipino “Secret Santa”. Adults frequently host Christmas parties during the holiday season, whether they are for friends, coworkers, or extended families. Exchange of gifts, also known as Monito Monita, is one of the principal events.
There are other variations of this gift-giving custom, but the most popular one has everyone make a wish list and prepare a present for an unnamed recipient, whose identity will be disclosed at the Christmas party.
Filipinos are known for being kind and welcoming, and they particularly enjoy sharing their blessings with loved ones at Christmas. Despite this, Filipinos like getting presents as much as they do giving them.
Pamasko
Kids all over the country have a custom of delivering gifts while the parents are enjoying fun. Generous godparents, often referred to as Ninongs and Ninangs in the Philippines, present their godchild or inaanak with an aguinaldo or pamasko. Aguinaldos frequently arrive as gifts-wrapped objects or as cash enclosed in red envelopes. Another custom to serve as a reminder to Filipinos that the holiday season is one of giving.
Feast of 3 Kings
Christmas, according to our priests, doesn't end until January. The day the Three Kings arrived at Jesus' manger is commemorated during the Feast of the Three Kings, also known as the Epiphany. It is also seen as the conclusion of our protracted holiday season. Epiphany falls on the first Sunday in January, therefore Christmas lasts well into the following calendar year.
