By: Jenni Colone

The Longest Christmas Ever

CHRISTMAS IN THE PHILIPPINES

The Yuletide celebration starts in September and ends in January

Christmas carols and decorations start in September as well

The formal Christmas celebration starts on December 16th

The celebrations continues to the first Sunday in January

FILIPINOS

Most Filipinos are Christians with about 80% of people being Catholic

It’s the only Asian country with so many Christians

Christmas in the most important holiday

ACTIVITIES

Christmas parties/ fireworks Simbang Gabi/ Misa de Gallo Noche Buena feast Decorating

DEC 16TH

Simbang Gabi Night Masses until Christmas Eve This celebration is normally celebrated by

Catholics Attending Masses is meant to show

devotion to God After Mass, families buy traditional Filipino

holiday fare

NOCHE BUENA FEAST Is on December 24th

A big, open house, celebration with family, friends, and neighbors

Families dine together around midnight on traditional yuletide fare

Other families open presents at this time

Most people stay awake all night into Christmas Day

DECORATIONS

Because of Americanization, Santa Claus, Christmas Tree, reindeer, and snow have become popular

Christmas lights are strung all throughout the cities

Paról and Belén are considered traditional

PARÓL & BELÉN The two traditional Filipino

Christmas symbols P-star shaped lanterns

which are used to decorate homes and buildings Represented as the Star of

Bethlehem They are beloved and

iconic to Filipinos B- a creche (a manger

scene)

UNFORTUNATELY

In 2013, the Philippines was hit by Typhoon Haiyan and thousands of people were made homeless

Lots of people can’t celebrate Christmas like they used to

PICTURES FROM THE PHILIPPINES

REFERENCES

Christmas in the Philippines | EPN Magazine. (n.d.). Retrieved February 3, 2015, from http://epnofny.com/epnmag/blog/2014/12/18/christmas-in-the-philippines/

Christmas in the Philippines - Level B - Teacher Myles. (n.d.). Retrieved February 3, 2015, from http://tx.english-ch.com/teacher/myles/level-b/christmas-in-the-philippines/

Christmas in the Philippines on whychristmas?com. (n.d.). Retrieved February 3, 2015, from http://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/philippines.shtml

Christmas Tree in Puerto Princesa - Palawan (Philippines). (n.d.). Retrieved February 3, 2015, from http://www.panoramio.com/photo/3368798

...Happy New Year... - Level B - Teacher Karis. (n.d.). Retrieved February 3, 2015, from http://tx.english-ch.com/teacher/karis/level-b/happy-new-year/

Simbang Gabi. (2013, December 12). Retrieved February 3, 2015, from https://g

Super Typhoon Haiyan One of the most powerful storms ever recorded. (n.d.). Retrieved February 3, 2015, from http://www.lunarplanner.com/EGM/2013-11-07-Typhoon-Haiyan/index.html