TWO more days and it’s already Christmas! Many of us are now busy preparing for Christmas Eve, a time when we enjoy cherished family traditions. Whether it’s setting up the Belen, hanging Christmas stockings or getting ready for Noche Buena and making sure every family member is present, Filipino families have different ways of making Christmas merry. Zup readers share their most loved Christmas tradition.
My favorite Christmas tradition is the Noche Buena, where the whole family gathers to enjoy a festive dinner and welcomes Christmas together. During the birth of Christ, He was surrounded by His family and this teaches us an important lesson—to value and celebrate the gift of family more than anything else. The essence of Christmas can never be truly felt without the company of the ones you love.-- Janice Araneta, 19, BS Architecture student
My all-time favorite Christmas tradition is the Noche Buena because this is where we spend more happy moments with my family. Every year, we are bombarded with so much stress and nothing but work, work and work. This is also the time for us to release all the stress and focus on what truly matters in our lives. Don’t forget the food on the table!”-- Ivan Gregory Tan, 20, BA Communication student
Traveling with my family is definitely my all-time favorite Christmas tradition. The excitement of boarding an airplane or a ferry or even long road drives is special to me, more than the material gifts or majestic feasts. Being in the company of people I love in a place I’ve never been to, and with the presence of God in our hearts, makes my Christmas happy. -- Trina Louise Rivera, 20, BA Communication student
Growing up, my favorite part of Christmas (other than the presents) was the family get-together. On Christmas Eve, after we attend the holy mass, we would all gather and eat dinner, sing carols, and open our present from our manito or manita. It is the most cherished tradition in my family because through this, we are able to celebrate Christmas together and make memories that will last forever. -- Analyn Bulabog, 20, BS HRM student
Caroling is my favorite Christmas tradition because back then, in our neighborhood, almost all kids would be in a group to sing carols out loud. We were all happy and thanked the people, even those who did not give us money or candies. It was worth the effort because we made other people happy through our songs and we were spreading the Christmas spirit in our place. And of course, the collected money was nice but the experience and shared happiness back then were more meaningful.-- Astermel Samuya, 18, BS Biology 1
“It’s the giving of gifts because we Filipinos are known for being thoughtful. In this simple way we are showing our love and care for them. --Nikki Joyce Casera Palero, 20, BS Airline Management graduate
Celebrating Christmas Eve is my all-time favorite tradition because we get to spend time with our family. Family members rush home from work to make sure they get to eat Noche Buena with their loved ones. It is a time when most families are complete to share laughter and gifts. For me, a holiday like this is better spent in the province where Christmas is celebrated in a modest way. --Apple Grace Danuco, 23, mortgage associate
A gathering with family and friends to enjoy Noche Buena is definitely my all-time favorite Christmas tradition. Aside from the savory food, what I love the most is the tender love and joy we share together. The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family. --John Louie Sanchez, 20, BS Mechanical Engineering student
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