Nights are cold and holiday rush is in town. Here in the Philippines, Christmas is celebrated in different activities. We have our " Simbang Gabi" a Catholic tradition where people go to church early dawn at around four in the morning."Simbang Gabi" starts dawn of December 16 and ends at dawn 24th of December. After the mass, believers buy food found outside the church such as "Puto Bumbong" a steamed violet colored glutinous ground rice,with brown sugar, grated coconut and margarine toppings packed in fresh banana leaves.It cost Php12 per pack. The "Bibingka" is also a ground rice mixed of sugar, yeast or baking powder, baked using a charcoal pot and with salted egg, grated fresh coconut and also with white sugar toppings. Bibingka cost Php25 the smallest, price depends on the sizes.Fireworks is also visible mostly every weekends on shopping malls.It's a Filipino tradition to go home to each provinces to celebrate Christmas with their love ones. Malls and other business establishments are flocks of shoppers to buy gifts and for themselves.
Christmas parties are held and employees are happy of their bonuses and thirteenth month pays. Variety of foods such as ham, salads, spaghetti, breads, beverages, local and imported fruits are served on "Noche Buena" at Christmas Eve.Even how big or small the budget is, it's nice to know that Christmas is here again to remind us the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
