The Hotlegs Runner The Filipino Christmas (Part 1): Our Decorations | The Hotlegs Runner

Thursday, December 23, 2010

The Filipino Christmas (Part 1): Our Decorations


Hello bloggie friends! Only 2 days before Christmas!  Woohoo!  It will be my first here in the U.S.  I am very excited but at the same time missing being in the Philippines during this time of the year.

Allow me to share with you how we celebrate our Christmas back home.  Should you plan a trip to our country, I suggest you do it during this season.  Believe me when I tell you that there is nothing like Christmas in the Philippines.  Trust me on this one.  We have the longest Christmas celebration but will get to that tomorrow when I post Part 2.

You see, Christmas is a HUUUUGE event for us Filipinos.  It is the most anticipated event of the year.  Maybe because we are a nation of believers of our Christ Jesus and this is the day we celebrate His birth. 

So how do our people celebrate this joyous event?

Today I will talk about our decorations.

Christmas decorations and lights are abundant and beautifully displayed on main roads and in EVERY home.  They are usually up by early November.  Some put theirs up even earlier!  Yes, the longer the better.  We DO like to enjoy our Christmas decors.  There's something about coming home to a well-decorated place.  Makes us feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Photos of our home in Manila during Christmas

 Some Filipino homes during Christmas.  Less is more? No way! The more the merrier! 
We sure LOVE our decorations!

As you can see, we do have Christmas trees (but not fresh pine ones like here in the U.S.), Santa Claus and we also have "parols" outside. 

The parols symbolize the star of Bethlehem which guided the 3 Kings to the baby Jesus. They can be seen on the windows or doors of every Filipino home, offices, schools, malls and on the streets. 

Below you can see the different kinds.  The modern parol is the most dazzling kind because of the twinkling and blinking bulbs that illuminate the parol.  These are exported to other countries and are even sold here in the U.S. but of course, it comes out more expensive.  If you see one hanging out their homes here, it's highly possible that a Filipino resides there. =)
 The traditional parol made of bamboo sticks and Japanese paper

 The modern and more elaborate parol made of capiz and with blinking (almost blinding, haha!) lights


Well, that's it for today.  Hope you come back tomorrow to read Part 2 and see how we celebrate Christmas eve.  THAT, you wouldn't want to miss. =)
Julie

13 comments:

  1. As usual thank you for enlightening. This is great information about your culture and heritage.

    Also, helps explain why I can see your house from Dallas.

    Merry Christmas to Mike, your daughter and you.

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  2. Enjoy your first Christmas in the states!

    Thanks for sharing those pics...they are awesome!

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  3. That's a ton of lights. Beautiful!

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  4. Stunningly beautiful Julie. Thanks for sharing. Happy Holidays!

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  5. can't wait to see tomorrow's post! i love christmas too!! i would love to see christmas in the Philippines! hope your first christmas in the US is amazing!!

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  6. Thanks for explaining the parols. I've seen them up in houses around Vancouver, but didn't know that they were anything other than a pretty decoration.

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  7. Glad you enjoyed them. They're actually a lot prettier when you see them in actual. =)

    @Jason: I am so including this comment of your on Part 2 tomorrow! ;p

    @Alanna: so happy you learned something new today. =)

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  8. I loved reading this! I agree...more IS more ha! Love all the decorations and can't wait to see what you make to eat:) 2 months until another marathon....you are amazing. THey are addicting huh?

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  9. That is so cool! I loved reading about how you celebrated Christmas!

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  10. Beautiful pics of Christmas in the Phillipines!! I hope your Christmas in the US is wonderful!

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  11. Absolutely love it!

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  12. Ahh! I love it!

    Thanks for your card; so sweet! :)

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  13. Beautiful, Julie! Thanks for sharing! Merry Christmas to you and your family!!!!!

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