Christmas Philippines begins formally on December 16 on the first light of Dawn, locally termed as Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo and continues until the first Sunday of January, which is the known as Feast of the Three Kings.
Simbang Gabi will lasts for nine consecutive days beginning December 16 and is traditionally, it is held at dawn, but in recent years some churches started offering anticipated masses one night in advance. Well some thing do change diba! (right!)
What I like the best about Simbang Gabi is the abundance of native delicacies, like bibingka (rice cake) and puto bumbong (purple colored glutinous rice steamed in small bamboo tubes) sold outside most churches. Filipinos love sharing these delicious delicacies after the mass. Filipinos believe that after completing the nine Dawn Masses, their wishes will come true. The a wish they make at the start of the Simbang Gabi.
The last day of Simbang Gabi falls on December 24, a time when Filipinos are busy in the preparation of Noche Buena, a family feast that takes place when the clock strikes 12 a.m. The noche buena is highlighted by the bountiful feast prepared by the family. Family members exchange gifts and greet each other "Maligayang Pasko!" (Merry Christmas).
Christmas Day is a gathering of family and friends. Children visit their ninongs and ninangs (godparents) to receive aginaldo or Christmas gifts and blessings.
Christmas officially ends on the Feast of the Three Kings which falls on the first Sunday after the New Year.
Maligayang Pasko or (Merry Christmas)
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Philippines
1 comments:
"believe their wishes will come true."
Just goes to show that you really cannot impose a religion on a people.
By: Anonymous on December 4, 2008 at 4:38 PM
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