Merry Christmas

For Filipinos,Christmas especially Christmas Eve on Dec. 24 is the much-anticipated noche buena -- the traditional Christmas feast after the midnight mass. Family members dine together on traditional noche Buena fare, which includes the queso de bola (literally "ball of cheese;" edam cheese) and hamon (Christmas ham).

In different provinces throughout the Philippines, Catholic devotees also reenact the journey of Joseph and the pregnant Blessed Virgin Mary, in search of lodging for the soon-to-be born Jesus Christ. This is the traditional panunuluyan, also called pananawagan and pananapatan.

This street pageant is performed after dark on Christmas Eve, with the actors portraying Joseph and Mary going to pre-designated houses. They chant traditional songs which are meant to wake up the owner of the house as they ask for lodging, but are turned away. Finally, Joseph and Mary make their way to the parish church. Here, a simulated manger has been erected. The birth of Jesus is celebrated at midnight with the Misa de Gallo, together with hallelujahs and Christmas carols.

The Filipino Christmas would not be complete without the traditional Philippine Christmas symbols and decorations. These include the parol or Christmas lantern symbolizing the Star of Bethlehem that guided the Magi, also known as the Three Wise Men or Three Kings. The parol is traditionally made of lacquered paper and bamboo, but others are made of cellophane, plastic, rope, capiz shell and a wide variety of materials.

Another traditional Filipino Christmas symbol is the belen -- a creche or tableau representing the Nativity scene. It depicts the infant Jesus Christ in the manger, surrounded by his parents, shepherds, their flock and the Magi.

In the Philippines, children also celebrate Christmas with the traditional Christmas caroling -- going from house to house singing Christmas carols. Makeshift instruments include tambourines made with tansan (bottle caps). With the traditional chant of "Namamasko po!" these carolers wait expectantly for the owner of the house to reward them with coins. After being rewarded, the carolers thank the owner by singing "Thank you, thank you, ang babait ninyo (you are so kind), thank you."