Filipinos are known to be the epitome of fun when it comes to celebrating something, be it birthdays, graduations, and obviously, the Christmas and New Year season. So what happens when some of them, who’ve spent most of their lives gathering with their families in the Philippines during the holidays, end up spending it in another country for the very first time? Here’s what a few of them have to say.
Also read: 9 Struggles Filipinos Travelling Abroad Can Relate To
Singapore
What it’s like
“Celebrating New Year in Singapore is just like in the Philippines, people have celebrations in their respective houses. They also have the big new year countdown in Marina Bay & Merlion area and fireworks display at 12 midnight. The city/country also has many tourists during the New Year. Probably one factor I didn’t like is the amount of people in different places – sobrang crowded ng mga lugar (the places are really crowded). We welcomed the new year in a family friend’s house na Filipino rin (who also happens to be Filipino) so there wasn’t much of a difference.”
What you missed most about celebrating in the Philippines
“Siguro (perhaps) the only thing I missed that time was the ‘homey’ feeling you have when you celebrate it at home. Also, since we were on vacation, we were busy walking around places instead of just being at home, enjoying the quality time with your family.”
– Paolo Rellama
Vietnam
What it’s like
“I spent my first holiday abroad here in Hanoi, Vietnam – a country that doesn’t really celebrate Christmas and New Year in the same way as we do back home. Predominantly a Buddhist country, Christmas for them is just another Western trend and doesn’t really have a religious meaning. Around the city, inside establishments and in some houses, you can see Christmas trees, colourful lights, wreaths, tinsels and other decorations. But on the 25th itself, it’s just an ordinary day for them. People have work, children go to school and families don’t gather for a feast. There are no exchange gifts, holiday traditions and singing of Christmas carols. But despite that, expats here in Hanoi still found a way to celebrate Christmas. I am living with two other Filipinos and one American guy. We had big feast on Christmas Eve. We also exchanged gifts and spent the night chilling on our rooftop, while singing our favourite Christmas songs.”
What you missed most about celebrating in the Philippines
“I definitely miss my family the most! I also miss everything about Filipino Christmas – going to our local church and eating delicious kakanins after, the traditional Noche Buena (with the lechon, of course), the aguinaldos from Ninangs and Ninongs, and the karaoke session till morning.”
– Pamie Clavejo
Japan
What it’s like
“The Japanese don’t celebrate Christmas as much as we do. However, they give big importance to the New Year. New Year is a long holiday for them and they celebrate it by going out of the streets and drinking. Trains go for 24 hours and you could tell that 90% of them are drunk.”
What you missed most about celebrating in the Philippines
“What I miss most about spending holidays in the Philippines is the way Filipinos spend holidays. During the holiday season, it feels like everyone’s a family and everything is just happy. Good vibes anywhere and everywhere. Nothing beats Philippines when it comes to spending the holidays.”
– Lanz Tan
South Korea
What it’s like
“The coming of the New Year is a huge celebration in South Korea. People in Seoul gather in front of the Bosingak Belfry for the bell ringing ceremony. There’s a traditional music performance and a light show as well. Come New Year, Seoulites fill the midnight with noise, more music, and cheer. Then they head to Jogyesa Temple to pray and drink free hot tea by the temple grounds.”
What you missed most about celebrating in the Philippines
“I miss the rice cakes (bibingka and puto bumbong), the long nights spent with loved ones as we reflect on the events of the present year, our family tradition of eating out at least once a week in December, the Christmas carols that are often annoyingly repetitive, the Christmas songs that perfume the air as early as September. I also miss the shopping malls that reminded me every second that Christmas was coming.”
– Ryan Santiago
Myanmar
What it’s like
“Let me start off by saying that Myanmar’s New Year is celebrated in mid-April (Thingyan) so there were no signs of the holidays around the last week of December. As soon as the New Year’s Eve celebration at a bar arranged by our hostel ended at past 1am, we headed back to our hostel in our bikes which was quite a tranquil ride. Even though we wanted to resume the party, we couldn’t make much noise because everyone in the neighbourhood was asleep. We ended up doing the same, too.”
What you missed most about celebrating in the Philippines
“My mom would throw out coins once the clock strikes at 12am. My brother and I would always plan our own strategies of getting the most coins (using a towel, basin etc.) and I did miss experiencing these. It’s our annual duel and we care about the bragging rights!”
– Leah Luna
Abu Dhabi
What it’s like
“I love it here and I’m grateful that we can still feel the Christmas spirit even if we are in the Middle East. We have Simbang Gabi in our parish and there are a lot of activities open for parishioners to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Almost all of the hotels and malls in the city add up the festive look as well.”
What you missed most about celebrating in the Philippines
“A few things I miss from celebrating this season in the Philippines include the usual celebration with our family, the quality time with our loved ones and the authentic Filipino food during this holiday time. I also miss the yearly community service gift giving and Christmas party for the children that takes place in my town.”
– MR Garra
Germany
What it’s like
“I’m used to celebrating both Christmas and New Year’s Eve with family. However, here, people typically spend Christmas with family and New Year’s Eve with friends, partying. They also have unique Christmas food. I don’t like the food as much as the food back home, but I do like the fact that there’s not a lot of pressure to give impressive gifts (for Christmas) or have the best fireworks in the neighbourhood. It also helps that the use of fireworks is regulated and isn’t as excessive as it is in the Philippines.”
What you missed most about celebrating in the Philippines
“The food, the people, and the Christmas parties. They party differently here. They’re more about the drinks and the dancing. I miss the party where the emphasis is on the food, the singing, and the games. Also, I miss how early we start feeling the Christmas spirit (from September 1st!).”
– Jestine Sanchez
Spain
What it’s like
“In Spain, Christmas is just as festive as it is in the Philippines. Their public Christmas decorations are even brighter, bigger, and more colourful. Christmas trees are found in Madrid’s parks and plazas where everyone flocks to interact with one another and simply talk the night away. However, on the New Year, restaurants and eateries are all closed so it’s harder for tourists to celebrate it. This was the only thing I disliked of the experience.”
What you missed most about celebrating in the Philippines
“I missed spending more time with my extended family during the holidays. Of course, spending the holidays in a different country can be a once in a lifetime experience, but it doesn’t substitute for the warmth and laughter a family can give. Plus, holiday food is always better in the Philippines because those are the traditional dishes that complete a Filipino Christmas.”
– Therese Sta. Maria
United Kingdom
What it’s like
“In the UK, the 25th and 26th are holidays – 26th being Boxing Day where most things go on sale. On the 25th, people tend to stay at home with their families to celebrate Christmas, there’s rarely anyone on the streets – quite the contrast to the Philippines. What I like about it here is despite the diverse religion in this country, everyone kind of celebrates Christmas. What I don’t like is it’s become less of a religious thing for Christians, has become very materialised (way, way more than in the Philippines for a long time now), partially due to the fact that the following day is the biggest sale event in the country.”
What you missed most about celebrating in the Philippines
“Though generally, the essence of Christmas has been fading overall, I think the Philippines is consistent in being pahulihin. There is still value in the religious purpose of Christmas as well as the meaning not just of your immediate family but the wider community.”
– Jannah Pangilinan
New York
What it’s like
“While this is my first Christmas here, I could probably say that there are unique ways of how people here celebrate the holidays. For one, I used to think sales in shopping malls in Manila were already crazy, but it’s a different story here. Everyday, at any time, you’d see people who have just gone shopping. Another thing is that the holidays also meant a long break that people usually use to travel and go to a different place. One thing that I really liked is how street music could sometimes give you the chills. I remember walking in the park and hearing a guy play Christmas songs on the sax. I’ve only heard these songs in movies before and to hear it live can feel surreal. I also attended a Christmas choir concert on Christmas Eve and I can definitely say that it was one of the most solemn and peaceful moments that I’ve ever had in my life.”
What you missed most about celebrating in the Philippines
“There are a lot of things that I miss about holidays in the Philippines. The Simbang Gabi, the carols sung by children as they go through houses each night, the neverending feasts at home and our relatives’ houses. It’s colder than most months, but there’s some warmth to it, a warmth that keeps you still and reminds you of the important things in life – the gift of family.”
– Yanna Martin
Chile
What it’s like
“The crescendo of the season is palpable – the horsing around, frolicking, whimpering, yelping, pushing around, the teasing of the toddlers while parents watch with aglow. The atmosphere is abuzz with festive spirit. After all, they have travelled far and wide to celebrate here the season of merrymaking and… lovemaking. During their mating season, in the arms of the penguins at the end of the earth, I celebrated Christmas of 2017. What a pity you may think but here’s the short story of how a backpacker’s Christmas this year came to be.”
What you missed most about celebrating in the Philippines
“I miss the bravado of Christmas in the Philippines, the cooking and uncorking, the clinks of wine glasses and San Miguel beer bottles, the besos and abrazos of titos and titas, cousins, brothers, sisters, parents, and friends. Chile don’t quite celebrate it with the same cheery intensity so I sailed through the Chilean Fjords down to the strait of Magellan in the island of Magdalena in Patagonia and Bahia Inutil in the fabled land of Tierra del Fuego and found a heartwarming colony of Magellanic and King Penguins to adopt me and celebrate the season with them. Ironically in the company of Penguins, I felt the season in its truest form – the feeling of family, of community, the celebration of truly being grateful of having each other of having whatever we have.”
– Mar Malabanan
Also read: Filipino New Year Superstitions – Do You Still Believe in Them?
It’s not easy missing the holiday season in the Philippines. That, I can vouch for having spent last year’s in a different country myself. I hope the stories shared by this bunch will help you see where you could be spending your next Christmas or New Year another 300+ days from now, and how you can make the best of them no matter where you are in the world.
The quotes above have been edited for grammar, clarity and flow.
