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The official Christmas celebrations in the Philippines begin on December 16th, with people attending church services at 9:00 AM, and conclude on December 25th, the official Christmas Day worldwide. However, Christmas decorations and songs appear in stores as early as September and are removed on the first Sunday of January. The Christmas spirit in the Philippines lasts for five months, earning it the title of having the longest Christmas season in Asia.
Christmas-related goods were widely available in stores.
You'll see traditional star-shaped lanterns called "paróls," made of bamboo and paper, everywhere during Christmas in the Philippines. These lanterns depict the Star of Bethlehem and evoke feelings of goodwill and hope for the people there.
Lanterns were everywhere on the streets.
From the streets to the shopping malls, everything sparkles with lights. People are busy preparing for the biggest holiday of the year.
Christmas atmosphere at upscale restaurants.
The Christmas atmosphere in the Philippines shares many similarities with Western countries. Throughout the country are ancient churches built during the Spanish colonial period.
Christmas is decorated in a dazzling and magical way.
Large feasts called Noche Buena take place at midnight on Christmas Eve after church service, and families hold a big celebration, staying up all night with food and drink. Typical dishes include lechon (roasted pig), kare-kare (oxtail stew), embutido (meatball sandwiches), spaghetti, and pata crisps (fried trotters).
The party mostly had a lot of meat.
With its unique Christmas traditions, the Philippines promises to be an extremely interesting destination for tourists this winter.
