Christmas is a magical time of year—a season bursting with joy, connection, and traditions. It’s a time for family celebrations, reunions with friends, and enough food to make Santa reconsider his diet. This year, I’m in the Philippines for Christmas, and let me tell you: nobody does Christmas like the Filipinos. Between the glittering lights, endless parties, and town-wide competitions for the most extravagant decorations, it’s a holiday on steroids.
The Seniors Take Center Stage
When I say everyone celebrates here, I mean everyone. The seniors are no exception; let me tell you, they’re not about to let a little thing like age slow them down. I recently attended a Christmas party with my high school classmates—now a lively bunch of senior citizens. Despite the occasional cane and creaky joints, they danced the limbo rock as though auditioning for a music video. Somewhere between cheering them on and stifling my laughter, I realized these seniors were out-partying me.
The retired teachers’ party was just as spirited. Some of these folks are well into their 90s, but there they were, swaying on the dance floor with the kind of enthusiasm that puts younger generations to shame. They participated in games with gusto and piled their plates high with festive food. It’s as if Christmas grants them an extra dose of vitality—and maybe a little extra appetite.
Lighting Up the Town (and the Spirits)
One of the highlights of a Filipino Christmas is the fully decked-out town plaza. Towns compete for the best lighting displays, and let me tell you, it’s no joke. These plazas don’t just twinkle—they blaze like someone handed the town electrician an unlimited budget and a sugar rush. The lighting ceremonies are a spectacle of fireworks, music, and communal cheer, drawing people from far and wide to reconnect with old friends, distant relatives, and maybe even that one ex they’d rather avoid.
Simbang Gabi: Faith and Food
No Filipino Christmas is complete without the tradition of Simbang Gabi, a nine-day series of early morning novena masses leading up to Christmas Day. For some, it’s a spiritual journey. For others, it’s a chance to indulge in post-mass snacks like bibingka and puto bumbong. Let’s be honest—some people are there for the food as much as the faith, and who can blame them? Nothing warms the soul like a steaming plate of sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves in the early hours of the day.
Party Marathon: A Grandson’s Concern
The sheer number of parties here is astounding. When I told my grandson in Canada how many Christmas events I’d attended—and how many more were still to come—he quipped, “By the time Christmas is over, you’ll be a walking “lechon!” (I’m still trying to decide if that was a compliment or a warning.)
The expenses for these celebrations could make anyone’s wallet cry, but Filipinos approach it with remarkable generosity. They chip in for gifts, food, and other party essentials without hesitation. At one party, the mayor and several councillors showed up. And they even had a guest speaker. They had garlands for these guests and prizes for the games. The only thing they forgot? The rice! Thankfully, the staff at the convention center saved the day, cooking up a batch in record time. The seniors laughed it off, saying, “That’s just part of the fun!”
A Christmas to Remember
What struck me most about these celebrations wasn’t just the lights or the laughter—it was the effort to include everyone. Organizers go out of their way to ensure seniors can attend, providing transport and other assistance. These parties aren’t just about fun; they’re about connection.
So, while my grandson jokes about me turning into a lechon, I’ll take it as a compliment—after all, lechons crown every gathering – delicious and absolutely unforgettable.
This is the second year in a row that we’re not celebrating Christmas with the fam in the Philippines. We hope to join you next year. I miss the parties and the exchange gifts!