Christmas Day in the Philippines

Christmas Day is also anticipated with the
celebration of the "Triduum Mass". This is
especially dedicated to families to prepare
intensely for three days before "The day".

The day is spent in prayer and recollection,
at least 3 hours or more and with a Holy Mass
after wards...and of course the usual salo-salo
(getting together) with some friends.

December 24, is when the whole family gathers
and attend the Midnight Mass to celebrate
the birthday of Jesus Christ, the Son of God,
who became Man on the 25th of December, who loves
each one of us dearly..whoever you may be. Reminding
us of a great inheritance in heaven, and we should
be steadfast.

The midnight Mass is usually
with Angels (performed by children) and a
big Nativity Scene is usually at the side
altars.

The whole celebration is usually sang with
Christmas Songs like Silent Night, Adeste Fideles
(O Come All Ye Faithful), other Liturgical
Christmas Latin Songs and local Songs.
The Holy Mass ends and each one greets each
other Merry Christmas.

When you get back home, the feast is usually
prepared, and the gifts for each one are opened
under the Christmas Tree.

For the children, St.
Nicholas usually comes the next day.. as they usually
sleep all through the night...and St. Nicholas is
usually wearing his Santa Clause outfit.

Christmas Day is celebrated families getting
together and family reunions. But you usually wake
up a little late at 9 a.m. or 10 a.m., it depends
how you spent the time away during Noche Buena.

The children opens their gifts from Santa at around
7 a.m. while the bigger siblings are asleep, wearing
the pajamas, and jumping. This is for
all whether you are rich or poor, somehow Santa manages
to bring gifts. Some who had not attended the Holy Mass
had to attend the Christmas Day Mass, and the grandiosity
is the same of the December 24 Midnight Mass. This time
to spend time thanking God for the wonderful blessings, despite
typhoon and volcanic eruptions and all other things besides.

Around afternoon, the children
would go around and knock
on the doors of their godparents.
Some godparents (Ninangs and
Ninongs) give their gifts
ahead of time, some would want
to have the visits, and food
is always ready for any child
who visits. It is usually food for the gods,
fruitcake, polvoron,
apples, bananas, and some candies.

In the evening, it is usually celebrated
again with a formal dinner, usually it is
"roasted pork" or lechon. For the dieters...
its usually steamed fish with wine, and
"lechong manok" or roasted
chicken" and lots of vegetables
and salad...and serbesa or wine, depending
on the preference. After which, family
bonding starts like singing or
exchanging stories of what
happened the past year. Most
young people enjoy singing their hearts out.

Some prefer to watch a Christmas
movie with some popcorn...and sleep
early because the 26th is back
to working day! The Christmas celebration
does not end on the 26th though...
as the visit of the Three Kings are
still awaited.

SIMBANG GABI

Simbang Gabi is a Filipino tradition where
families and friends attend the Holy Mass
starting December 16, 2009 in anticipation
of December 25, 2009, Christmas Day!

It is a time of prayer and petitions for
a prosperous New Year to come.

After every simbang gabi, rice cakes
are available for sale so you can easily
take a speedy delicious snack with family
and friends.

Immaculate Concepcion

Today, is a special day because it is the Feast of
the Immaculate Concepcion.

This is feast is about Mary, the Blessed Mother, who
is loved by many Catholic Christians as the mother of
Jesus. She is proclaimed as Immaculately conceived.
Meaning she was conceived "sinless" in the womb of
St. Anne.

Today, I prayed for the peace process in Mindanao.

I remember when a friend and her friends had to help
out in Mindanao, and I told her how will you be able to
protect yourself from two opposing forces and sometimes
several opposing families warring in Mindanao.

My Catholic friend doctor said, don't worry, I have troops
and three battalions to protect us. We need to bring
medicines to the women, children and the old people there, and
we will do the service swift and fast to avoid the Abu Sayaff.

I remembered praying to our Lady desperately for their protection.

They arrived... saving a life of a Muslim woman who was giving
birth and there was no hospital within the vicinity

POLITICS

This morning before setting off to Taguig
City, my friends and I had a short run
down of my country's politics.

We were thinking of who among the team of
"Presidentiables" will entail less risk:



We started analyzing a Filipino Voter:

You can't separate the Church and the State
in a Filipino. This can only happen theoretically.
Most Filipino's believe in a "belief". He adheres
that a religion is an antidote, and unbelief is
the "opium".

Second, the Filipino is "pro family", defy it, and
you loose votes.

Give an inkling that you are about to
destroy even the definition of a family,
and a politician loose votes by the millions.

Lastly, the Filipino looks at the contribution
of a politician for economic development, disaster
help, and overseas assistance.

Reading during Rush Hour

I was in MRT, careening towards an appointment which
was suppose to be at 9 a.m.

I have to wake up at 4 a.m., just to be on time,
and this is only 30 minutes drive without traffic.
It reminds of me of the tales in Africa, when a friend
had to spend the whole day marketing because of the
traffic going to the market.

I know I had to finish up a book, so I can write
my reports and research. What I did was to
text my colleague, and had to negotiate deadlines,
its hard writing when you don't keep those
creative juices flowing.

I pick up a nook and tried to get a small piece
of post inside the MRT, despite the seemingly
overflowing people, and read my piece, until
I reached my destination.

Tourist Spots in Manila

The streets of Manila, despite Ondoy
Typhoon is already beaming with lots
of Christmas lights and Christmas Songs.

This is the best time to visit the Philippines.
Despite the clogged streets, Manila is a
hub where you can enjoy during Christmas.

There is the endless Christmas plays all over
town. Not only commemorating the first Christmas,but
some short stories about Christmas. Universities
have affordable tickets on sale for Christmas
plays.

There are also concerts all over the park,
yes, Mozarts are also played in my country, and
I like it very much.

There are also fire crackers show down along
Manila Bay, and the affordable cruising while
the fire works are displayed, and it only costs $2.

Christmas Rush

Thinking of gifts to give to your
family, friends and colleagues can
be very taxing.

My technique is to start keeping a
record of what gifts to give, DAY ONE
Yes, January 1.

Rush Hour

Advent Season is a time of waiting for Christmas.
Besides celebrating it with Sundays of Advent, for the waiting
of the birth of the Christ Child, it is also a time for
preparation for the coming holidays.

The "rush hour" in Manila is getting to be
longer this December, not the usual 6- 9:59 a.m. time,
but it prolongs up to 11, then starts again
at 12 noon.

If you want to experience the sea waves of
humanity, try riding the MRT in Manila,
North Edsa. It's like World Youth Day 1995 in
Luneta Park, when you get to your destination,
carried by the pushing of the crowd.

Believe me.