Christmas is celebrated for 4 months in the Philippines . If you do
not believe me watch the Filipino channel (TFC), or call home to a
relative in the Philippines beginning September 1. You will already
hear Christmas songs, and they will not stop until after the New
Year. If it is a “ber” month it is Christmas time in the Philippines . I
do not think any other country begins celebrating Christmas any
earlier.
The full house decorations are all usually in place by November
15. You will also see lots of parties, family reunions, and plenty of
food. Filipinos from overseas usually like to come home during
the Christmas season because it is the happiest time of the year
in the Philippines. As a result, many airlines heading to Manila are
booked in December and the tickets get very expensive. If you
can take an extended vacation to the Philippines around
Christmas, it would be best to arrive before December 1 and leave
after the New Year.
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If you are arriving to the Philippines from the west during
Christmas, you better be prepared to take hundreds of gifts.
Anyone married to a Filipino knows to come home empty handed
would be the greatest insult on earth. This doesn’t mean you
have to buy everyone fine jewelry and diamonds, it just means
that you shouldn’t forget anyone and even the smallest gifts are
appreciated. Give an 8 year old Filipino nephew 100 pesos and
he will be as happy as a clam. The expectations are not really set
very high.
On the flip side, Christmas can be a depressing time for Filipinos
that are stuck outside the Philippines . Since western countries
put more emphasis on privacy and solitude, a Filipino wants
nothing more than to find a way home for the holidays. While
many westerners rely on Prozac and Zoloft to get through the
year, Filipinos only need Christmas in the Philippines to keep them
going.
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