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Mano Po NINONG,
Mano Po NINANG,

Ilang tulog na lamang at Pasko na naman. Tunay na napakabilis ng panahon. Parang kailan lamang binati ko kayo ng Maligayang Pasko. Heto na naman ako at nagsusulat tungkol sa araw ng Pasko. Laging nagbabalik sa aking ala-ala ang maraming kaugalian sa atin kapag panahon ng kapaskuhan. Nakakagalak isipin ang mga kaugailian ito na nagbibigay kulay sa ating pagiging tunay na Pilipino.

Christmas is a day of celebration. It is the season of loving and forgiving. This is the day we celebrate Jesus’s birthday. How amazing indeed. God in human form. We should always remember that we are lucky because this baby grew into manhood, lived a perfect life, and willingly died for your sins and mine.

Do you know how we came to celebrate Christmas? There are various versions of how Christmas became a celebrated holiday. I am sure a lot of you know the story of Christmas. Let me share with you what I know based on my readings and experience.

Pre-Christian origins

Christmas has its origins in several pagan holidays. The celebration known as Saturnalia included the making and giving of small presents (saturnalia et sigillaricia). This holiday was observed over a series of days beginning on December 17 (the birthday of Saturn) and ending on December 25 (the birthday of Sol Invictus, the “unconquered sun”). The combined festivals resulted in an extended winter holiday season. Business was postponed and even slaves feasted. There was drinking, gambling, and singing, and nudity was relatively common. It was the “best of days,” according to the poet Catullus.

Christian origins

The idea that December 25 is Jesus’s birthday was popularized by Sextus Julius Africanus in Chronographiai, an early reference book for Christians. This identification did not at first inspire feasting or celebration. As Constantine ended the Christian persecution and began the persecution of non-Christians, Christians began to debate the nature of Christ. The Alexandrian school argued that He was the divine word made flesh while the Antioch school held that Christ was born human and infused with the Holy Spirit at the time of His baptism. A feast celebrating Christ’s birth gave the Church an opportunity to promote the intermediate view that Christ was divine from the time of His incarnation.

Christmas in modern times

Christmas is an annual Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus. It is traditionally observed on December 25. Eastern Orthodox Churches celebrate it on January 7, which corresponds to December 25 of the Julian calendar. Christmas has many aspects, both religious and secular, including the exchange of gifts, Santa Claus, the decoration and display of the Christmas tree, and religious ceremonies.

The popularity of Christmas can be traced in part to its status as a winter festival. Historically, many cultures have celebrated their most important holiday in winter because there is less agricultural work to do at this time.

The Philippines is the only Asian country where Christians predominate. Christmas is an important and revered holiday for most Filipinos. It is a time for family, for sharing, for giving, and a time for food, fun, and friendship. Filipinos are proud to proclaim that our Christmas celebration is the longest and merriest in the world. It begins formally on December 16 with the first of nine pre-dawn or early morning Masses and continues nonstop until the first Sunday of January or the Feast of the Three Kings, the official end of the season.

Pasko sa Pinas

Sa mga Pilipino, ang Pasko ang ating pinakahihintay na araw para tayo ay magsaya. Kahit pa sabihin na naghihirap ang Pilipinas, sa araw ng Pasko hindi mo madarama ang kahirapan ng buhay sa Pilipinas. Isang taong pinag-iipunan ng mga Pilipino ang araw ng Pasko.

As we all know, there is no winter or snow in the Philippines at Christmas time. Except in Baguio, there are very few pine trees. There is no traditional Yule log or fetching of the pin sprigs from the woods. Pero kahit walang snow or pine trees sa Pilipinas, madarama mo ang Kapaskuhan sa ating kapaligiran. Filipino Christmas decorations are abundant and beautiful. Nangunguna na rito ang parol. Ang parol ay simbolo ng Pasko sa Pilipinas na naghahatid ng mensahe as “the guiding light, the star of Bethlehem.” It emits a warmth unparalleled among holiday adornments and is unique to the Philippines.

Pagpasok ng “ber” months, nag-uumpisa na tayong magdekorasyon at maglagay ng mga palamuti sa ating bahay. Brightly colored buntings or streamers are hung inside and out. Christmas cards are hung in the sala or living room for all to enjoy. Candles and wreaths are also common adornments. And many houses, particularly those in the urban areas are decoarted with tiny multi-colored lights both indoors and out. Kung kayo ay mapapasyal sa ating bayan sa buwan ng Kapaskuhan, ang ating bayan ay hindi pahuhuli sa nagagandahang palamuti sa lansangan.

Food in abundance

Isang kaugalian ang aking pinagmamalaki sa aking mga banyagang kaibigan ay ang ating Noche Buena. Ito ang isang pagkakataon na nagkakasama ang buong sambahayan. The Christmas Eve gathering provides an opportunity for a reunion of immediate and distant family members. Food is in abundance. Iyan ang tatak ng tahanan ng isang Pilipino. Napakaraming pagkain sa Noche Buena gaya ng hamon at keso, mainit na pandesal, pancit, lumpia, puto bungbong, bibingka, tsaa at tsokolate at marami pang iba. Siempre hindi nawawalan ang inuman sa ating mga kabayan. Umaagos ang alak, at nangunguna na rito ang San Miguel beer.

Isang napakagandang kaugalian na aking nakagisnan ay ang pagmamano ng mga kabataan sa mga nakakatanda sa kanila. Sa araw ng Pasko, ang mga kabataan ay namamasyal sa bahay-bahay upang bisitahin ang kanilang mga lolo, lola, tiya, tiyo at mga ninong at ninang.

Gaya ng sinasabi ng kilalang awitin, “Pasko na naman, o kay tulin ng araw. Paskong nagdaang, tila ba kung kelan lang. Ngayon ay Pasko, dapat pasalamatan. Pasko na naman, ang pag-ibig naghahari.” Mano po Ninong, Mano po Ninang!

Christmas Parties

Pagpasok ng December, sunod-sunod na ang mga parties at caroling. With my friend Tonton Remorosa, we attended the party of the Fil-Am Music Ministry of St. Louise Church in Bellevue. It was held at the residence of Lorenzo and Angie Raymundo. Guests were serenaded with popular Christmas songs like “Pasko Na Naman,” “Pasko Sinta Ko,” “Ang Pasko ay Sumapit” with “Silent Night” as the finale. According to Angie, they have been caroling for more than 10 years now. They used to go house to house but they decided to hold this year’s caroling in one house only and invite friends to attend. After serenading the guests, they would pass the hat. The collection is donated to the St. Louise Parish Church as well as the St. Louise Parish School. It makes sense to hold the caroling in one place only and invite guests. They save the other hosts the bother of preparing food for the carolers, who are often already full and could not eat.

Tagalog Circle

December is party time. I promise to leave room in my stomach for the parties that I need to attend. On December 16, the Tagalog Circle is holding its Annual Christmas Party at the Mountlake Terrace Civic Center starting at 5:00 pm. May sayawan, palaro at tawanan para sa bata at matanda. Isa itong pagkakataon para tayo ay magsama-sama at magsala-salo para ipagdiwang ang Pasko.