A Filipino Christmas and its delights

It’s the holiday season, regarded by many as the most wonderful time of the year. In Hawaii, there are a wide mix of cultures that have special ways of celebrating the Christmas season. Among them is the Filipino culture. In fact, at Maui High a whopping 48.2% of the student enrollment is of Filipino ethnicity, according to a 2019 school report. With the Filipino community being so strongly represented in the makeup of the student body, this article looks to explore some Filipino Christmas season traditions.

In the Philippines, one may see houses with Christmas decorations as early as September. Many families start decorating their homes for Christmas in the “ber” months. Filipinos start celebrating and preparing early so they don’t feel the rush when Christmas does come around.

Another tradition that Filipinos have is attending Misa De Gallo or Simbang Gabi. It is a nine-day novena from December 16th to Christmas Eve. It generally starts around 3pm and lasts for a couple of hours. The belief is that if one attends all nine days, a wish can be made on the final day of Misa De Gallo and it shall come true.

Filipino families usually have a parol or an ornamental lantern. Mainly parols are initially designed as a circle with a star in the middle but now there are more designs like flowers, and stars itself. Historically parols were hung on light posts so people can know where to go on Simbang Gabi. Parols can be made from plastic, wood, or even paper with sticks. Some even put lights in it to make it even better!

The belen or the nativity scene is a common sight in the Philippines during the Christmas season. It is a depiction of the night Jesus was born. It includes baby Jesus, Joseph, Mary, and the three kings. In the past, this scene would generally be found at churches, but nowadays, it is found everywhere. It can be found gracing the front of homes, schools, and government buildings. Plastic, porcelain, or recycled materials are used to make them.

During Christmas Eve dinner there are desserts galore. The people who eat the most desert are called puto. Puto are Filipino steamed rice cakes, traditionally made from slightly fermented rice dough. It is eaten as is or as an accompaniment to several savoury dishes. Puto is also an umbrella term for various indigenous steamed cakes, including those made without rice. It is a sub-type of kakanin. Here is a link to a recipe for puto so you can try it out! https://www.kawalingpinoy.com/leche-puto/

The end of the Filipino Christmas season is on The Feast of the Three Kings or formally known as The Epiphany. This day pays tribute to the three kings, or wisemen, Melchor, Gaspar and, Baltazar who visited baby Jesus and gave their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Three Kings Day is usually on the 1st Sunday of January.

With celebrations starting in September and lasting into January, the Filipino Christmas season is the longest celebrated timespan of the Christmas season across all cultures.

Christmas is usually a time of joy, and bonding with family. Make every moment count! Be thankful for the presents people give and remember “Christmas is not what you get but it’s also what you give.” Have a great and safe Christmas which is on Friday, December 25th, 2020.