Christmas in the Philippines 2017
by: JC Bulan
Filipinos make a lot of fuss over the preparations for a family member’s first homecoming. For several days, they think about everything that he had missed while he was overseas. Let’s see how families celebrate Christmas with their ‘balikbayan’ relatives.
After working and living overseas for a long time, all the balikbayans want is to rest and catch up with their families and friends. For convenience, the top choice is to have pot luck family reunions at home. Their relatives show their warm welcome by bringing the balikbayan’s favorite foods.
Having families coming home from abroad is an excellent bait to gather the whole clan for Christmas. The relatives rush to see the gifts that the balikbayan brought (pasalubong), as well as how much he has changed since he left. Pride beams from the parents’ eyes as they brag about their children’s accomplishments in a foreign land.
Family bonds prove to be stronger than ever as they go beyond house parties. Some continue traditions like visiting a church in the province as their ‘panata’ (promise). Others go to great lengths to save their leaves for a long vacation in Novaliches, Quezon City.
Some can’t get enough of the cold weather so they climb up to Baguio. An OFW aunt once took her niece on a vacation in Baguio. They had a sweet and simple Christmas meal at Mang Inasal.
The OFW family that shops together, stays together. Duty Free has spectacular offers during Christmas time. Grown-ups eye the discounted appliances but for a young girl, this means more chocolates and toys.
Great celebrations are not hindered by tight budgets. One girl organized a spa party and prepared a welcome tarpaulin for her sister. The guests willingly paid for their own spa treatments.
Families with balikbayans have unlimited choices to celebrate Christmas. What matters is that the family is complete during the special occasion.
Filipinos make a lot of fuss over the preparations for a family member’s first homecoming. For several days, they think about everything that he had missed while he was overseas. Let’s see how families celebrate Christmas with their ‘balikbayan’ relatives.
After working and living overseas for a long time, all the balikbayans want is to rest and catch up with their families and friends. For convenience, the top choice is to have pot luck family reunions at home. Their relatives show their warm welcome by bringing the balikbayan’s favorite foods.
Having families coming home from abroad is an excellent bait to gather the whole clan for Christmas. The relatives rush to see the gifts that the balikbayan brought (pasalubong), as well as how much he has changed since he left. Pride beams from the parents’ eyes as they brag about their children’s accomplishments in a foreign land.
Family bonds prove to be stronger than ever as they go beyond house parties. Some continue traditions like visiting a church in the province as their ‘panata’ (promise). Others go to great lengths to save their leaves for a long vacation in Novaliches, Quezon City.
Some can’t get enough of the cold weather so they climb up to Baguio. An OFW aunt once took her niece on a vacation in Baguio. They had a sweet and simple Christmas meal at Mang Inasal.
The OFW family that shops together, stays together. Duty Free has spectacular offers during Christmas time. Grown-ups eye the discounted appliances but for a young girl, this means more chocolates and toys.
Great celebrations are not hindered by tight budgets. One girl organized a spa party and prepared a welcome tarpaulin for her sister. The guests willingly paid for their own spa treatments.
Families with balikbayans have unlimited choices to celebrate Christmas. What matters is that the family is complete during the special occasion.
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