Holiday Festivities in the Philippines

Essay Writing Competition 2024
Category: 8 - 11 years
- Commendation -

Junior category: Commendation

"Holiday Festivities in the Philippines "- Essay by Czarina Johann Cacayuran

Holiday Festivities in the Philippines

My excitement starts every year when December is close. This is the month I eagerly await, when together with my beloved family I celebrate my favourite holiday: we call it "Pasko".

The 25th of the month is of course the most important day, but we celebrate like nowhere else, and the Christmas spirit lasts for many weeks.

We start putting up decorations as early as September, which I think is much earlier than anywhere else in the world. You can hear festive songs all around; in houses, parks and malls and there are lanterns on the streets and huge Christmas trees with bright colourful lights.

On this great day I woke up early, and as I went out of our little home I took a deep breath as the familiar cool breeze blew in my face. "Christmas is coming!" I shouted. While I was standing watching my grandpa’s plants a happy grin came to my face when I saw our neighbours busy decorating their homes. As I walked through the streets I noticed that there was also a competition where the most beautiful decorations for the house can win a prize. And yes, that is the spirit of Christmas in my country.

Our favourite food is very important on the big day. Apples, oranges, bananas , mangoes and watermelons are some of the fruits served on the table and I am always torn which one I should eat first as they are all my favourites. You can also see many of the famous Filipino dishes, namely Menudo, Adobo, Kare-kare and a lot more including delicious, sweet "kakanin" like Bibingka and Puto Bumbong.

I heard the ringing of the bell from the church close to our house, and that is when our "Simbang Gabi" or night mass begins starting from the 16th of December. This is a series of nine evening masses celebrated during advent until the 24th of December when we celebrate "Misa de Gallo" which is from a Spanish influence and means the last mass on Christmas eve.

Our culture includes a lot of mixed language influence, including Spanish and Malay, like "anak". Right after "Misa de Gallo" we celebrate our "Noche Buena" when we eat together and start our tradition of exchanging our gifts among family members and friends. We also do some parlour games as well.

Truly, each country has their own ways of celebrating Christmas but for me, what matters most is how I celebrate with my family and friends, reminding us all of the importance of giving and sharing.

In the Age category 8 - 11 years, Czarina's heartwarming essay about the holiday traditions in the Philippines is commended. Sharing means caring! Thank you! Congratulations!

Czarina Johann Cacayuran attends Collinz International School in Selangor/ Malaysia. Tagalog is her home language