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Showing posts with the label christmas

Three Kings

The Feast of the Three Kings , in Filipino the "Araw ng Tatlong Hari", is celebrated on the First Sunday of January. It is also known as the Feast of the Elderly or "Pasko ng Matatanda", the day specially honors senior citizens. The feast is also called "The Epiphany" which commemorates the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi. In the city of Manila, it has been a tradition for dacades for the prestigious club Casino EspaƱol to organize a Three Kings' parade on January 6 or the first Sunday of January. Dressed in royal robes, the Three Kings ride on stately horses as there are no camels in the Philippines. They parade down the block, and end at the clubhouse where children of the Spanish community await them to receive more Christmas gifts. There are gifts prepared for the poor children and orphans, too.  Some children leave their shoes out, so that the Three Kings would leave behind gifts like candy or money ins...

Essence of Christmas

For me there are 3 important things: Peace, Love and Sharing Peace, it is time to forgive and forget those people we hate. Love, it is time to say I LOVE YOU or THANK YOU to the people you love Sharing , it is time to share all the blessings that GOD have given you this year

History of Simbang Gabi

Simbang Gabi or " Misa del Gallo"  been part of Filipino Tradition for years. Where Misa came from spanish word means mass, and Gallo means rooster. Misa del Gallo usually translated as the Rooster Mass. Usually family and friends are going to church early morning starting 4:00AM at December 16 up to the day of Christmas Eve. There are rumors that when you completed the nine day mass you can wish to God and your wish will be granted. Simbang Gabi originated way back 1660 in early Christinity. In the early Christianity friars are so strict in attending the mass. They know who doesn't attend the mass. So when Christmas is near the friars had problems with the farmers because they are using their work as a reason for not attending the mass. That's why the friars decided to do their preparation at dawn where the rooster announce the beginning of the day. They need to do this in nine consecutive days for the coming of Jesus. So the friars commanded the farmers to attend ...

Christmas Party

People usually celebrate Christmas in different ways. Big company usually reserve their Christmas party at an elegant place just to celebrate. People say that it is the time to give thanks to their loyal employees in serving their company. Small company usually celebrate their party inside office and inviting some clients over to have dinner and small talks. Have you ever thought of what is really the essence of having a Christmas party where ever you are or what group you belong? For me Christmas party was very enjoyable because we know that even in a small time that we have gathered we make people smile and place a happiness into their hearts. This is the time we show them we really care about one another and giving thanks to the people we are close to by giving gifts. In celebrating Christmas we must not forget to have peace, love, and share what we have. We can share different things such as ideas, stories, or even material things. It depends on how you want to express...

Three Kings

Christmas officially ends on the Tres Reyes or Tatlong Hari  in Tagalog, it is also known as the Feast of the Three Kings or Feast of Epiphany. The Feast of the Three Kings was traditionally commemorated on January 6 but is now celebrated on the first Sunday after the New Year. Some children leave their shoes out, so that the Three Kings would leave behind gifts like candy or money inside. January 6 is also known in other countries as Twelfth Night, and the Twelve Day of Christmas referred to in the Christmas Carol are the twelve days between Christmas Day, December 25, and the coming of the Three Kings,January 6.

NiƱos Inocentes

NiƱos Inocentes is commemorated on December 28 as Holy Innocents Day or Childermas in other countries. The innocents referred to are the children who were massacred by order of Herod, who was seeking the death of the newborn Messiah.

Christmas Day

When Christmas day comes Filipino usually attended the Misa de Aguinaldo by the whole family. Misa de Aguinaldo is the Holy mass celebrated to signify the Birth of Jesus Christ the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines' main means of celebrating Jesus Christ's birth. Misa de Aguinaldo is also celebrated at dawn or in the morning immediately after sunrise before 10 AM, this schedule is preferred by Filipinos who choose to celebrate Christmas Eve with a night-long celebration of Noche Buena . Preferably in the morning, Filipino families visit members of the extended family, notably the elders in order to pay their respect. This custom has been an age-old tradition in the Philippines called Pagmamano , this is done by touching one's forehead to the elder's hand saying Mano Po . The elder then blesses the person who paid respect. Aguinaldo or money in the form of crisp, fresh-from-the-bank bills is given after the Pagmamano , most usually to younger children. A Ch...

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve or Bisperas ng Pasko usually celebrates on December 24 with anticipated Noche Buena, a traditional feast after the midnight mass. Filipino celebrates the Christmas Eve by gathering, eating Noche Buena with the whole family members and also having exchange gifts. Noche Buena includes queso de bola , ball of cheese; and hamon , a Christmas Ham.

Misa de Gallo or Simbang Gabi

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According to Wikepedia, Misa de Gallo is the Spanish phrase for Midnight mass, more literally translated as "Rooster's Mass". It is said that the "Rooster's Mass" owes its name to the idea that a rooster would have been among the first witness of the birth of Jesus, and thus be the one to announce it. According to Wikipilipinas, Simbang Gabi is about three centuries old, having begun sometime in the 1700s. A Spanish friar gathered his flocks of farmers during harvest time - coinciding with the Christmas season - and together they gave thanks for the bountiful harvest. Group singing was encouraged during the gathering and a simple breakfast was served afterwards. From then on these farmers willingly observed those early mornings as a time for worship, and it became a tradition over time. Misa de Gallo usually celebrates during Christmas Season. In the Philippines, we usually celebrate nine day of dawn mass that starts on December 16 and ends on December ...

Where do people spend their Christmas?

People usually go out of town with friends or family. I suggest to get the accommodation or reservation before the event.  Filipino usually go to their parents place to give thanks and to celebrate Christmas. So other people are taking this opportunity to have a family reunion. Others are just staying at home and enjoying their vacation by spending their time with their love ones at home. You can celebrate or show love to your family by doing simple things to them. As long as you are Christmas love by giving, thanking, and showing appreciation.

What do you like on Christmas?

Seeing everybody with a smile and laughs on their faces. Plenty of food serve on the table Gifts to be shared and to be given.  Celebrating Christmas with family and friends When Ninong's and Ninang's give aguinaldo

The Spirit of Christmas

My favorite holiday is Christmas, because I'm happy when I see my cousins, neighbors children, and people around me smiling when I give them my present. For me every present is also a piece of love that I'm giving them. This is my way of showing love and appreciation to them. Giving gifts is how we give value and importance of having friends and relatives. For me when buying gifts I always think of the budget I have and if it will be useful to the person that I'm giving. Let us start giving gifts for Mothers. My mom is on abroad so it's not easy to think of any gift that I can give her for Christmas. But moms are not hard to please. One thing that she appreciate in all the things I give her is giving or sending her a Christmas card saying how much I appreciate and love her. Other suggestion, if your mom loves to cook you can give her kitchen ware, if your mom loves to sew maybe you can give her a fancy cloth to sew or a sewing machine perhaps. Giving gift to your mom ...

Christmas Belen and Parol

Belen is a Christmas symbol by Filipino. It is composed of  baby Jesus Christ surrounded by Mama Mary, St. Joseph, the shepherds, their flock, the Magi or also known as the three wisemen, and some stable animals and angels. Belens are usually seen at churches for the preparation of Christmas. Philippines won first place as best Belen in the Tarlac province for two consecutive years, 2007 and 2008. Christmas parol or lantern are usually used to decorate the belen. It represents the Star of Bethlehem that lead the Three Magis journey to find the King. Parol, also known as star lantern, are not stricly a custom, but every Christmas season, Filipino homes and buildings are decorated with beautiful parol . The earliest parols were traditionally made from simple materials like bamboo sticks, Japanese rice paper, known as " papel de Hapon ", or crepe paper, and a candle or coconut oil-lamp for illumination; although the present day parol can take many different shapes and form...

Christmas Carol

In the Philippines, once the Misa del Gallo started it is a sign for the children that they can start Christmas caroling. It is a Filipino tradition for children when celebrating Christmas. Christmas caroling is like going from house to house singing Christmas carols. These children are like the one who is spreading the spirit of Christmas. They form a group and create their instruments like tambourines made with bottle caps, drums made of milk can, etc. Children usually sing Jingle Bells, Silent Night, Ang Pasko ay Sumapit, Pasko Na Naman, Namamasko po. Once the children is finished with their song they usually say " Namamasko po!"  which is a clue for the owner of the house that it is time for them to give their reward. Usually they received coins or candies. After being rewarded the carolers sing the tradition "Thank you, thank you, and babait ninyo", for thanking the owner of the house. Not only children do the Christmas Caroling tradition, usually Church c...