Christmas in the Philippines

Christmas to me has always been a reflective event, on the birth of Christ and his life beginning on earth. This Christmas, however, i had a slightly different celebration as i had the opportunity to celebrate it in Filipino style. With Zuzka and Lacko (my two Slovak friends), we flew via AirAsia to Manila to join Paula and her family for Christmas.

Christmas in the Philippines is a huge celebration as most Filipinos are staunch Catholics. Masses are held for 10 consecutive days leading to Christmas Christmas at as early as 5am. It is believed that when you attend all the 10 masses, your prayers will be fulfilled. After each mass, a huge breakfast is served for the congregation. Paula's home was already filled with the Christmas atmosphere when we arrived on 23rd afternoon. there was a huge tree at the living room surrounded by boxes of gifts and decorations were aplenty at every possible nooks and corners.

On Christmas Eve, family members gather together for dinner. Paula's family extend to her uncle and aunties' families. there were some 20 people, sitting at two round tables for dinner and lots of food was served including pancit palabok (baked Filipino noodle), lumbiak piang ubod (vegetables in popiah wraps) and roasted pork in tapa wraps. There are various sources for lumbiak and the roasted pork.

After dinner, we went for mass that was held at the poolside in the same condominium that Paula was living in. it was a cosy affair as residents sat together to listen to the Christmas sermon and singing of carols. Surrounding the building were lights from Manila night life. Every now and then, there would be fireworks from the distance.

After mass, we adjourned back to home and started opening pressies when the clock struck midnight. nothing beats the delight from faces when each present is opened.

Christmas in Manila might not be total white but the company i had definitely make up for the snow, real Christmas tree and burning fire.