Christmas Around the World, Part 4 - the Philippines!
During this Advent season, we are taking a trip around the world, exploring Christmas traditions from different countries. Our fourth stop is the Philippines, which joyfully celebrates the longest Christmas season in the world.
As soon as the “ber” months begin, Christmas trees begin going up, Christmas decorations begin to be hung, and Christmas carols can be heard in the Philippines. The festivities last until Epiphany, and include many unique traditions.
A widely-observed tradition throughout the Philippines is Simbang Gabi (sim-BAHNG gah-BEE), or Night Mass, which has its roots in the Catholicism brought to the country by Spain. Beginning on December 16, many Filipinos attend an extremely early morning mass each day – so many, in fact, that it’s common for people to need to bring their own chairs. After mass, a meal of sticky rice pastries and hot chocolate or ginger tea is enjoyed on the way home. Tradition holds that if one attends all nine Simbang Gabi services, they will have a wish granted!
Christmas Eve is marked by a special Simbang Gabi mass known as Misa de Gallo (Rooster’s Mass), which is so much a part of Filipino tradition that it has songs written about it, including this one written by legendary musician Levi Celerio.
Perhaps your family would like to try waking up with the roosters in the days leading up to Christmas...if you do, you can fill the time with another uniquely Filipino tradition, and make a parol! A parol is a star-shaped lantern made from bamboo sticks and colorful paper, and has been used since the early 1900s to light the way to one's place of worship in the pre-dawn darkness. You can make your own Christmas star in one of two ways, both of which require only colored paper, scissors, and tape or staples:
These instructions will help you create a beautiful 3D star using a simple, printable template that can be hung as-is or decorated with glitter and ribbons.
This video walks you through the construction of five egg-shaped segments that can be put together to create a single parol. Be sure to watch carefully as Allison cuts the slits in her paper – this one is slightly more complicated, but the finished product is quite impressive.
If you create your own parol, be sure to share pictures with us. And join us on Christmas Eve for our final stop!
