Thursday, April 8, 2010

A wonderful memory I would never forget

It's never too late or too early to talk about Filipino Christmas celebration. It used to be my favorite time of the year. Yes, past tense. Alright, I'll explain why. There is something different about how Filipinos celebrate Christmas. In a spiritual point of view, we also believe of its real essence which is the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ. But somehow, Christmas is also a time about renewing family ties and rekindling broken friendships. If you work in the city and your whole family is in the province, Christmas is one of those times when you need to go home and celebrate it with the family. During Christmastime, people are more forgiving and lenient when some things go awry either at home or at work. Everyone seems to be in their jovial mood. Many tend to be extravagant in their spending because of the 13th month pay at work. As early as September, you can hear Christmas songs being played in shopping malls, restaurants and other commercial places. Christmas parties are everywhere. Food is abundant on Noche Buena. Devout Catholics go to a series of "Simbang Gabi" masses 9 days before Christmas. Some people welcome Christmas by using fireworks. There are just too many things going on during Christmas in the Philippines. So when I move here in the U.S., I really miss those things. For a while, it is no longer my favorite time of the year because Christmas painfully reminds me of the things I've been missing back home.

When we had the chance to get married in the Philippines early this year, I purposely chose a date close to the holidays. I didn't mind the outrageous prices of plane tickets. We could have chosen to go in the summer when the plane tickets cost lesser but I want to re-experience Christmas in the Philippines. And I was not disappointed. My family usually pick a color motiff and wear something in that color on Christmas Eve. It's a personal family tradition that we've been doing for years. Year 2009, we've decided to wear something Red. It's actually the 3rd time we used red in our celebration. It was one of my most memorable Christmas experience because my family was together and complete again. It will probably take a while before I can spend Christmas with them again but until then, I'll hold on to the wonderful memories from last year's Christmas celebration Filipino-style.

A giant Christmas tree in Ayala Mall

My Family

The yummy food for Noche Buena

With my cousin Libby right outside our apartment

11 replies:

:) said...

awww what a wonderful memory!

Mommy Liz said...

Iba talaga ang Christmas sa atin Jenn, I still prefer our Christmas in the Philippines. I wanted to stay up late until midnight here, but, everybody would be sleeping, so the next day na lang mag open ng presents mga bata, tapos sa gabi, wala akong kasamang mag Noche Buena, kaya tulog na rin ako. Your Christmas in the Philippines must be one of your most memorable one..Take care.

anne said...

wah miss my parents ssssssssooo much, dont get me wrong im still here in pinas :)

StaLira said...

makes me more excited to come home, d nga lang Holiday.

Badet said...

At least you got the chance to spend it again here in the Philippines. And you have pictures to relive these moments again and again. You celebrated it like a true feast, with lechon pa. =)

ilovepink1078 said...

Its really nice to be with the family and friends during this kind of occasion.

By the way, thanks for dropping by, sis!

Bchai said...

Great pics of the celebration. They say one of the best places in the world to celebrate Christmas is in the Philippines. I can see why in your pictures! ;)

Everyone looks so happy! OMG...LECHON!!! Nom nom nom!

Twerlyn said...

Xmas gihapon akong fave occasion, dre man or sa pinas. Hehe! Xmas man gud akong lastname mao panindigan jud hehe! Oh ayala mall! Halos everyday mi diha tong Cebu p mi. Kalami sa lechon! Kakaon ko Ana usab sa oct 9. Great memories jenn, to keep.

Anonymous said...

LECHON!!! we always fight over the crispy skin. Gimme some. ;o)

SFI said...

There is no place that I know of that celebrates Christmas quite like in the Philippines. I agree with Anonymous...LECHON!!! yum. ;o)

Rose world said...

Wow~ like the roasted pig. Any leftover for me?