Filams dream of RP Xmas

December 19, 2007  --  Got something to say?
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WASHINGTON D.C. While young Filipinos born in the United States are now preparing for the coming series of youthful parties days before Christmas, the elderly and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are pining for the merriment at Christmas time in the Philippines.

This year, some of them will be able to have a taste of Christmas, Philippine style, thanks to the Filipino Catholic ministries in the Washington metropolitan area who have organized the traditional nine-day Simbang Gabi (evening mass) novenas which starts in Catholic churches tomorrow, Dec. 16. Filipino caterers have also been promoting the menus for the traditional Christmas dinners as well as the traditional Simbang Gabi snacks. Centerpiece of the typical Filipino Christmas dinner is the roast pig (lechon), ham, cheese (queso de bola), pancit and others.

Also being revived is the tradition of Christmas caroling in selected homes to raise funds for the carolers pet projects. The old folk are also encouraging parents to revive the tradition of children calling on their Ninongs and Ninangs (godfathers and godmothers) on Christmas day for their blessings and gifts.

For those with money and relatives in the Philippines, going back home for the holidays is a yearly ritual. Theres nothing like celebrating Christmas and the New Year in the Philippines, they would say. And the airlines are just more than willing to accommodate.

Hard hit are the newly-arrived expatriates, such as Filipino teachers and nurses in the metropolitan area.
The following were culled from the website of Filipino expatriates residing in the US and elsewhere around the world. Names have been omitted to preserve their privacy.

Namimiss ko ang mga pagkaing Pinoy…Yung Noche Buena with family and friends. Namimiss ko yung Puto-bungbong at bibingka…There is nothing like it :”Christmas with families”… .Yun….yun talaga ang namimiss ko!!!! Miss ko ang Noche Buena with my mom, sisters, brother, in-laws, nephews and nieces… Miss ko ang puto-bongbong at bibingka. Miss ko ang mga gifts nila sa akin(hehehe) …at…miss ko ang Christmas decor ng Ayala at Baywalk…” Maryland USA This will be my 5th Christmas away from home - but at least, Im with my husband this time. I will be in New York for Christmas. Have a blessed Christmas!”

I miss my 13th month pay……. Barslow California USA.
Miss ko ang lechon kawali, hamon, grapes, Christmas tree at siyempre ang mga gifts under the tree. Miss ko rin when our family stays up late on the 24th to eat and eat and chat and have fun together coz now we have our own respective families and my dad has gone to heaven. I still havent tasted what it is like having snow outside but i am hoping I will be able to someday. christmas doesnt seem to have the same cheer it has always had, for me, at least. Mahal na kasi ang mga bilihin.
Mahirap mag-over spend then im left worrying the rest of the days before the next payday. Anyway, its a time to celebrate Jesus birth although there has been a lot of controversy whether or not it was really Dec. 25. well, what matters is that He came to save us. Have a blessed, Merry Christmas everyone!”

Tama ka dyan, as long as we keep our focus on the reason for the season, Jesus Christ, then nandyan ang tunay na diwa ng Pasko!

Maligayang Pasko… and may I remind you pala… lechon kawali siguro miss mo, pero ang hamon at grapes (?) di ba diyan nga galing yon? Di ba sa US mas marami ng mga holiday food na ganoon?

Miss ko yung naka-jacket kasi malamig” =) Ngayong wala pang snow dito sa Toronto eh balot na balot na ako, paano pa kaya pag nagkatotoo na ang kahit kailan eh di ko inasam na white christmas? Hay naku, Ive been told that ill eventually get used to winter… Maligayang Pasko sa inyong lahat!” Toronto, Canada- Namiss ko na ang lechon, adobo, bibingka at yung bang tunay na pag-celebrate ng Christmas. Ako ay nasa Thailand na for almost three years. Sige ingat kayo ha.” Thailand.

The following are the Simbang Gabi schedules in Virginia. No schedule has been released by the Filipino ministries in Maryland.

Dec 15 Sat 7:30pm, ST. BERNADETTE PARISH, 7600 Old Keene Mill Road,Springfield, VA 22152;
Dec 15 Sat 7:00pm, OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL, 8601 Wolftrap Rd Vienna, VA 22183;
Dec 16, Sun 7:00pm, BLESSED SACRAMENT CHURCH, 1427 West Braddock Rd, Alexandria, VA 22302;
Dec. 16, Sun 7:00pm, NATIVITY CHURCH, 6400 Nativity Ln., Burke, VA 22015; Dec 17, Mon 7:00pm
ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA, 3305 Glen Carlyn Rd, Falls Church, Va 22041;
Dec 17, Mon 7:30pm, ST. TIMOTHY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 13807 Poplar Tree Rd Chantilly, VA 20151;
Dec 18, Tues 7:30pm, St. WILLIAM OF YORK, 3130 Jefferson Davis Highway Stafford, VA 22554-4525;
Dec 18, Tues 7:30pm, Christ the Redeemer 46833 Harry Byrd Highway, Sterling, VA 20164-2250;
Dec 19, Wed 7:45pm OUR LADY OF ANGELS, 13752 Marys Way, Woodbridge, VA 22191-2079;
Dec. 19, Wed 7pm ST. AGNES CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1914 N. Randolph St. Arlington, VA 22207;
Dec. 19, Wed 7:30pm, St.Veronica Church, 3460 Centreville Rd. Chantilly, VA 20151;
Dec 20, Thurs 7:30pm, HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH , 14160 Ferndale Rd. Dale City, VA 22193-2198;
Dec 20, Thurs 7:30pm ST. LEO CATHOLIC CHURCH, 3700 Old Lee Hwy. Fairfax, VA 22030;
Dec 20, Thurs 7pm ST. PHILIP CATHOLIC CHURCH, 7506 St. Philips Ct Falls Church, VA 22042;
Dec 21, Fri 7:00pm, ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 9300 Stonewall Road Manassas, VA 20110-2594;
Dec 21, Fri 7:00pm OUR LADY OF LOURDES 830 South 23rd Street,Arlington, Virginia 22202;
Dec. 22, Sat 7:30pm ST. MICHAELS CATHOLIC CHURCH 7401 St. Michaels Ln. Annandale, VA 22003;
Dec 22, Sat 7:00pm ST. MARY OF SORROWS 5222 Sideburn Rd. Fairfax, VA 22032;
Dec 23, Sun 7pm ST. THOMAS MORE CATHEDRAL 3901 Cathedral Ln. Arlington, VA 22203

Traditionally, Christmas Day in the Philippines is ushered in by the nine-day dawn masses that start on December 16.
In some parishes, the Simbang gabi begins as early as four in the morning. Going to mass this early for nine consecutive days is meant to show the churchgoers devotion to his faith and heighten anticipation for the Nativity of the Lord. In traditional Filipino belief, however, completing the novena is also supposed to mean that God would grant the devotees special wish or favor.

After hearing Mass, Filipino families partake of traditional Philippine Christmas delicacies, either during breakfast at home or immediately outside the church, where they are sold. Vendors offer a wealth of native delicacies, including bibingka (rice flour and egg based cake, cooked using coals on top and under), puto bumbong (a purple sticky rice delicacy which is steamed in bamboo tubes, with brown sugar and coconut shavings as condiments), salabat (hot ginger tea) and tsokolate (thick Spanish cocoa).

Its so huge almost every Filipino really go out of their way and take time to prepare for this annual occasion. Though Christmas in the Philippines may have been influenced by European traditions in the latter part of its history, its own traditions have surpassed the changing times. This has made Christmas in the Philippines quite unique.

During the cold nights, people would crave for bibingka and puto bumbong. These are delicacies specially prepared during the Christmas season. They would often be served on banana leaves topped with butter or margarine and grated coconut meat.

The star of the season in the Philippines isnt the Christmas tree but the Christmas star locally known as the Parol. You will find Parols hanging just about anywhere from malls, to offices, and even in the modest Filipino homes.
Some places even host a Parol-making contest where people create many wonderfully spectacular light displays using Parols. These are sights to see and you can even buy the ingenious light display after the contest.

Caroling would also be heard during the Christmas season in the Philippines. Youll get to see a gang of little kids walking from house to house (even car to car in some cities, but that is actually outlawed for security reasons) singing the old time favorite Filipino Christmas carols. Even the older generation may go about caroling as well.

Employees in the Philippines would usually be treated to a long five-day vacation during the Christmas week since some employers would want their employees to spend time with their families (though there are industries that would also require people to work during the holidays).

Christmas Eve is often celebrated by families at home enjoying a Christmas dinner at midnight. This tradition is called Noche Buena. It is a time for thanksgiving and a time for families to be together.

Friends may also be invited to the Noche Buena and this is often a great honor. Gifts would usually be given during the Noche Buena or Christmas morning.

Christmas in the Philippines is a time for families. It is a time of gift giving and a time for warm friendships during the Christmas season.

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