I have to say that I have been no where that celebrates Christmas like the people of the Philippines. Now, to be fair to the world, I have only been to Buffalo, New York and Ghana, West Africa for Christmas other than here in the Philippines, but still, I think I can safely say that Filipinos celebrate Christmas with more oomph and enthusiasm that anywhere else I've been or heard of.
First there was the dawn Simba Gabi, and now... caroling. I remember going Christmas caroling once or twice as a child. I think I did it a few times with a group my grandparents were involved in, The Legion of Mary. I may have done it with my family a time or two... but it was nothing like this!!
My first experience with caroling here happened on the way back from Tacloban. From December 16th until Christmas, caroling is fair game, and the songs are sung for pesos. So, we stopped at a gas station for gas and water. There were several children outside the car and when I opened my door, about 6 of them came over and, after staring at me for a while, they started singing. They sang Jingle Bells, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad and Joy to the World. So, as per the tradition, I started handing out a peso each to the carolers. Before I got to give a peso to the second child, I was swarmed by children who seemed to come out of nowhere with their hands out for a peso. I told them that they didn't sing for me... no song, no peso. So they all started singing!! For the rest of the way home, I noticed how many people were out on the road, when usually at night the roads are clear of people. (There are no sidewalks and it gets dark early!) I was told they were all carolers... groups of children and adults going from dwelling to dwelling singing their hearts out for pesos!
The other night a group came to sing at our door. They had drums and horns and everything. It was pretty cool! I guess you can give each person a peso or give something to the whole group to share. All of the sudden, we heard loud singing and I noticed none of our kids were around. They came up the stairs and were singing Christmas carols. Sister Clarissa gave them some pesos, and I gave them some Andes Candies!!
So far, I have seen all unannounced carolers, but you also can send a letter to people and let them know the day and the time you will be coming. Oikos does that for some of their sponsors here in Borongan. So, our group of merry carolers will go around Borongan singing Christmas carols tonight. It is something the kids have looked forward to for a long time now, especially because they haven't done it for two years because of the typhoons. It is really weird for me to be singing carols and wrapping gifts while sweating! Usually by this time of year I am wearing 3 layers of clothing and still cold, and the treat for caroling in December is a steaming cup of hot chocolate. I know in Buffalo this year it is unseasonably warm, but at least it is a little chilly. I don't think I'll be drinking hot chocolate tonight... perhaps a mango shake!! That sounds better!! On Christmas day, the kids will go to the Bishop's residence and sing for him and the priests who live there... for pesos, of course!
Traditions abound here in the Philippines... Festivals, Simba Gabi, caroling, Feasts. It seems the Filipino people treasure the customs of the past while paving the way for their future, and it all appears to be done centered around the church. As for me and the Oikos Family, we will celebrate Christmas this year with lots of joy, laughter and love. And singing. And picture taking... you know, I have never been anywhere in my life where the people like to take pictures so much. For someone who is very camera shy, it is a challenge!! Sr. Clarissa loves to tell the story to people of our trip to the Philippines together. She was all about photo documenting her trip, and I was on my third day of travel with a virtual stranger, definitely not looking my best by the time we got to Hong Kong. So, she takes out her camera when we were waiting for our plane to Manila and points it at me. The way she tells the story, I just looked at her with a completely serious face and said please, no. So she put her camera away, but felt very jipped out of a photo op. I think she's told that story a dozen times already, at least in my presence... it's probably more!! What can I say? Cameras and me just don't jive. Pasensya kana!! (I'm sorry!!)
... Just wanted to add that it is the next day and we went caroling last night. What an amazing experience it was!! The closest thing that I can relate it to is Halloween in the U.S., but it was so much more. Everywhere I looked, there were groups of people carrying instruments, most of them homemade, walking to homes or standing outside the doors of homes singing carols. The night was alive with the sound of Christmas. We went to our designated homes and stood outside the gates singing until someone came to the door to let us in and we sang our Christmas set for them. It was fun to experience that with the kids. All of these traditions that the Filipino people hold dear make the holy day come alive and really adds to the anticipation of the day. How lucky am I that I get to be here experiencing this??!? Thank you, God!! xxoo
