ALTクリスティの英語であれこれ 第5回(1)

16／27

■Christmas is just around the corner
Christmas now surrounds us, happiness is everywhere. I would like to share about how we celebrate Christmas in the Philippines.
Did you know that the Philippines has the world’s longest-running Christmas celebration? I’m sure you have a lot on your mind, and “Why?” will probably be the first question you ask.
From September 1st to December, Filipinos celebrate Christmas. We call them “ber” months.September, October, November, and December are the months. If you visit the Philippines from September to November, you may be surprised to hear Christmas tunes everywhere, to see Christmas decorations and lanterns, and so on. I’ll tell you that don’t be surprised as it is normal in the Philippines.
What do Filipinos do during Christmas? The main Christmas celebrations begin on December 16th, when many people flock to the church for the nine pre-dawn or early morning masses. The final mass is held on Christmas Day. We called it “Misa de Gallo” or “Simbang Gabi,” and the masses last an hour. Most churches conduct 3：00 a.m., 4：00 a.m., and 5：00 a.m. masses to accommodate everyone.
Aside from that, if you live in the Philippines during the Christmas season, don’t be surprised if you have some knocks on your door because many children and adults will go carolling. Every house is practically filled with Christmas songs. In exchange, you can give them money or food. It’s not mandatory to give, but rather a desire to spread Christmas cheer across the country. Christmas is the season of giving.
We go to the church on Christmas Eve, December 24th. After that, we return home for our “Noche Buena” midnight feast. We definitely prepare a lot of food because Christmas in the Philippines is for everyone, including family, friends, and neighbours. After eating, we can exchange “Christmas Aguinaldo” gifts. Your loved ones can truly receive and give gifts. Particularly if you have godchildren, gifts are typically given by godfathers and godmothers. There is no doubt that you will be confused about which Christmas party to go if you have a large circle of friends, family, and relatives. That’s it, I suppose. I’m excited to spend Christmas with my Filipino friends in Japan for the first time. Cheers to a joyous and festive Christmas! Cheers to the holidays!