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Christmas “Pasko” for Filipinos

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The spirit of Christmas among Filipinos is reflected through this picture. – Photo by Rizal Domingo

Christmas is a season that every Filipino is looking forward to. Everyone starts feeling the spirit of Christmas as early as the month of September.  When you turn on the FM radio on Sept 1st, you will hear the Christmas songs all day . They start to decorate the malls, parks , and streets .  Most of the houses are ready to put up their Christmas lanterns and Christmas trees.  If we are fond of setting up a Christmas tree in the United States, Filipinos are fond of lanterns . Everyone loves to have a fancy Christmas tree , but most will end up customizing their Christmas tree from scratch because they can’t afford to buy one otherwise, just simple decorations will do.  Some kids in school make lanterns as their projects and bring them home .  There is usually a Christmas or Lantern parade in towns where everyone showcases their lanterns .

Shopping is always a part of Christmas , but for most Filipinos who can’t afford to buy presents , they sure will prepare foods that will get everyone together on Christmas Day .  They will for sure enjoy attending the “Misa de Gallo” or midnight mass.  There are stores that sell “puto bumbong”, “hot pandesal ”, and some native delicacies and they usually enjoy these foods after attending the mass.

Balikbayan Box – A box full of goodies and presents usually prepared by Filipinos abroad to send to their families on Christmas season and any time of the year.

Every Filipino abroad is looking forward to seeing their families in the Philippines but sad to say that there are many who would not for some reasons .  Most Filipinos put up a balikbayan box full of presents to send to their families in the Philippines.  Some may not be able to put up a balikbayan box , but they will surely send money to buy presents . It is also a time for Filipinos have reunion parties.  It is a time to get reunited with friends , schoolmates, or family members that they haven’t met for a long time.

Carolling was one of my favorite parts of Christmas .  When I was a kid , I would convince the kids in the neighborhood or my cousins to go out for caroling.  Filipinos prepare for carolers. They know that Christmas is the best time to just be generous without expecting anything in return .  When I am at home , on break from school, I would hear carolers by our door the whole day .  There were times when we ran out of money to give, I would look for some available foods we have and share it with them. I wished I had some candies to spare 🙂

Filipinos love the idea of abundant foods for Christmas meals.

Filipinos are fond of preparing homemade foods or delicacies.  It is a time when everyone prepares for the best foods they could afford and share it with everyone who joins them on Christmas Eve including the neighbors .
In the Ilocos region, we bake this native delicacy called, “tupig ”.  I have always loved the aroma of it.  Since they are made of glutinous rice wrapped in banana leaves , you could smell the good aroma while baking them.  So many well-known foods that are favorites of everyone are the queso de bola , puto bumbong, suman , bibingka , deep fried pork (chicharon ), lechon  (grilled pork), macaroni salad, leche flan , Filipino style spaghetti, pansit malabon, pansit bihon, etc.

If Santa is popular in the western world , Baby Jesus dominates the word Santa in the Philippines.  Most Filipino people always consider that Christmas is Jesus’ birthday .  Though kids love the idea of Santa because he is known to give toys on Christmas day if you’ve been good, but in reality  it does not happen to every Filipino kid .  Some kids may always have Santa visit them, but to most, they are content having their family together on Christmas Eve without any expectations of presents at all.

Celebrating Christmas for most Filipinos means it is time to make amends , time to give, it is time to attend the Misa de Gallo and have some hot pandesal , hot puto bumbong, and hot chocolate after mass, time to see loved ones from abroad , time to shop and party, time to have karaoke, and most especially it is time to reflect what it means having Jesus in their lives .

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COUNTDOWN QUOTATIONS TO CHRISTMAS – CLICK, COMMENT AND SHARE IT!

Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right. – Oprah Winfrey; Tagay para sa Bagong Taon at isa pang pagkakataon para maging tama.
"Christmas can't be bought from a store . . . Maybe Christmas means a little bit more." Dr.Seuss Ang Pasko ay hindi maaaring bilihin sa tindahan ... Siguro, ang Pasko ay may mas higit na kahulugan. more
"Christmas was all about God 's gift to man, and His peace , as well as ours." -Carolyn Molica; Ang Pasko ay tungkol sa lahat ng regalo ng Diyos sa tao, at ang kanyang kapayapaan, pati na rin sa atin. more
"If I could wish a wish for you, it would be for peace and happiness not only now, but for the whole year through!" - Catherine Pulsife; Kung maaari mong hilingin ang isang hiling para sa iyo, ito ay para sa kapayapaan at kagalakan hindi lamang ngayon, ngunit para sa buong taon. more
"Christmas is the day that holds all time together ." - Alexander Smith; Ang kapaskuhan ay araw na humahawak sa lahat ng oras.
"Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree . In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall.” - Larry Wilde; Huwag mag-alala tungkol sa laki ng iyong Christmas tree . Sa mga mata ng mga bata, ang lahat ng mga ito ay tatlumpong talampakan. more
“Christmas , my child, is love in action.” - Dale Evans; Anak, ang pasko ay pagmamahal na nakikita sa gawa.
Christmas is a time to reflect if you are truly loving, if not, forgive yourself and start loving.; Ang kapaskuhan ay oras ng pagkukuro-kuro kung ikaw ay tunay na mapagmahal, kung hindi, patawarin mo ang iyong sarili at maging mapagmahal. more
You love him/her; He/She doesn't love you back ; What is important is Jesus was born to love you forever. - Donna Mapps Mahal mo siya; Hindi ka niya mahal; Ang importante sa lahat ipinanganak si Jesus para mahalin ka habang buhay. more
Christmas day is a day of joy and charity. May God make you very rich in both. - Phillips Brooks; Ang Pasko ay araw ng kasiyahan at pagbibigay. Pagyamanin sana kayo ng Diyos ng mga ito.
The Christmas spirit - love - changes hearts and lives . - Pat Boone Ang espiritu ng pagmamahalan sa kapaskuhan ay nababago ang mga puso at mga buhay.
I will honor Christmas in my heart , and will try to keep it all year. - Charles Dickens Igagalang ko ang Pasko sa aking puso, at susubukang panatilihin ito sa buong taon.
“Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts.” – Janice Maeditere; Ang pagbubukas ng mga regalo sa kapaskuhan ay hindi mas mahalaga sa pagbubukas sa ating mga puso.more
“My idea of Christmas , whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?” - Bob Hope; Ang palagay ko sa pasko, makaluma man o makabago ay simple lang: mahalin ang lahat. Isipin mo lang, bakit kailangan nating hintayin ang pasko para gawin ito? more
“Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas .” - Peg Bracken; Ang pagbibigay ng oras at pagmamahal ang mga tunay na sangkap ng maligayang pasko.
"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love ." -Hamilton Wright Mabie; Mapalad ang kapaskuhan na humihimok sa buong mundo sa isang pagsasabwatan ng pag-ibig.
"Christmas is the time to let your heart do the thinking." - Patricia Clafford; Ang pasko ay panahon upang hayaan ang iyong puso na gawin ang pag-iisip.
This is the message of Christmas : We are never alone.” - Taylor Caldwell; Ito ang mensahe ng Pasko: Hindi tayo kahit kailanman nag-iisa.
“The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree : the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.” - Burton Hillis Ang pinakamaganda sa lahat ng regalo na nakapalibot sa Christmas tree : ito ay ang pagkakaroon ng masayang pamilya na nagbubuklod sa bawat isa. more
Christmas is not about receiving but giving with all your heart without expecting anything in return .; Ang kapaskuhan ay hindi panahon para isipin kung ano ang matatanggap, ito ay panahon para magbigay ng buong puso at walang hinihintay na kapalit. more
Our status in life is not what matters; Our relationship with God is what matters most.; Ang ating katayuan sa buhay ay hindi mahalaga; Ang ating relasyon sa Diyos ang pinakamahalaga sa lahat.
"Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing, but of reflection." -Winston Churchill; Ang kapaskuhan ay hindi lamang panahon ng pagsasaya, ito ay panahon ng pagkukuro.
"At Christmas , play and make good cheer, for Christmas comes but once a year.” - Thomas Tusser; Sa kapaskuhan, maglaro at magsaya, dumarating lang ang Pasko minsan sa isang taon.
"When we were children we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time. Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs." - G.K. Chesterton; Noong bata pa tayo, nagpapasalamat tayo sa sinuman na naglalagay sa ating mga medyas sa pagsapit ng pasko. Bakit hindi tayo masaya sa Panginoon na naglalagay ng mga paa sa mga medyas natin? more
"Christmas , it's a miraculous word. A word that brings a smile to your face. A word that exudes warmth and peace and love ." - Mary Hollingsworth; Pasko, ito ay isang kahanga-hanga na salita. Isang salita na nagdudulot ng ngiti sa iyong mukha. Isang salita na nagpapahiwatig ng kasiglahan, kapayapaan at pagmamahal. more
May the message of Christmas fill your life with joy and peace . Merry Christmas! Nawa'y ang mensahe ng Pasko ay punan ang iyong buhay na may kagalakan at kapayapaan. - Maligayang Pasko!

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