Since Philippines is one of the major Catholic countries in Asia, Christmas in Philippines is a great time for the country. The Christmas in Philippines is celebrated over a long period of time and comprises one of the largest holidays in its calendar.
Christmas in Philippines is celebrated by a number of ethnic groups in a diversity of ways which the tourist will greatly enjoy along his Philippines Tours. Among them the first in importance and popularity are the Christmas parties celebrated in the urban areas of the nation which is principally held in the second week of December. It is accompanied by a range of activities like the Kris Kringle, dancing and music, plays as well as parlor games in schools. The Philippines Christmas is initiated by the traditional Misa de Gallo which are nine day masses held in the dawn starting from 16th of December.
The Filipino families after the masses are completed also partake in the traditional delicacies associated with Christmas for breakfast or directly after mass when they are also sold by vendors. Some of them are bibingka which is rice flour with the mixture of an egg based cake, puto bumbong, essentially a purple sticky rice delicacy, tsokolate or thick Spanish cocoa and salabat which is hot ginger tea. There are also a lot of celebrations on Christmas Eve when there is Holiday in Philippines which the tourist must enjoy along his Philippines Travel.
After the midnight mass there is a Christmas Eve feast with Chocolate drinks and Christmas Ham as well as the exchange of various presents during this time. Catholic devotees in the numerous schools and provinces also celebrate the occasion by enacting the journey of Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary searching for lodging for the birth of Christ. This is part of a street pageant which is performed after darkness accompanied by folksongs and other local introductions and thus integrating the Christmas celebrations with the local culture.
Finally Philippines Christmas is celebrated within the family after midnight with Misa de Aguinaldo or the midnight mass celebrating the holy occasion of the birth of Christ. Facts about Philippines also indicate the tradition where the family meets up with their elders of the extended family in order to pay their respects. Christmas carols and feasts along with giving gifts are the primary components of the celebration of Christmas in Philippines.
Comprehensive online information on Christmas in Philippines is provided by travel.mapsofworld
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