than 7100 islands off the coast of Asia in the south China sea celebrates Christmas

on December 25th. But the celebrations start on December 16th and lasts until the

first Sunday of January.

On December 16th church bells wake people up at four o'clock in the morning for

church service. This service is called Misa de Gallo or Mass of the Rooster because it

is held so early in the morning and roosters crow, usually, early in the morning. For

nine days people go to church and pray.

On Christmas Eve, people go to Midnight Mass and the return home for a family

feast called Noche Buena. A beautiful buffet table is prepared and will include such

dishes as chicken and rice soup, spring rolls, fish stuffed with ham and pork, noodle

dishes, fruit and many kinds of dessert.

A favorite dessert is bibingka. It is a Philippine pancake made from rice flour., milk,

cheese, and duck eggs. It is served in a banana leaf and topped with coconut and

brown sugar. Filipinos usually drink ginger tea with this treat.

Children of the Philippines know all about Santa Claus. But Santa is not the gift

giver for them. Lolo and Lola, which means grandfather and grandmother give gifts

to their grandchildren during the family feast. The gift giving usually takes the form

of a game. The grandchildren may be gathered into a circle and gold coins thrown

into the air so that the children rush about to get the money. The gifts are usually

simple and practical, like clothes. The clothes are often worn to Midnight Mass.

Family members also give gifts to one another.

When the family returns home from Midnight Mass, no one goes to bed. Noche Buena

goes on into the morning. When it is daylight, children begin visiting their family

members. They usually receive a gift at each house - toys or money or candy.

Christmas-time events in the Philippines plays called pastores. They are performed

by bands of young men and women, and sometimes children, who go about from

village to village and present little plays. They sing and dance and wear costumes.

The plays are usually based upon the life of Jesus.

Groups of children called Cumbancheros walk around their neighborhoods, going

from house to house singing Christmas songs and playing musical instruments that

they have often made themselves. People give them coins.

The majority of Filipinos are Roman Catholic, making Christmas an extremely

important and revered holiday that is kept in the true spirit of the season. English is

widely spoken, but the official language is Filipino, based on the Tagalog dialect.

There are about 35 different ethnic groups and 70 different dialects spoken in the

Philippines. The church is the main focus of Christmas in the Philippines. But it is

a mixture of Western and native Filipino tradition.

Decorations are everywhere for Christmas. Because of the warm climate, flowers are

especially popular. Fresh pine trees are too expensive for many Filipinos, so

handmade trees in an array of colors and sizes are often used. Star lanterns or parol,

appear everywhere on December16th. They are made from bamboo sticks, covered

with brightly colored rice paper or cellophane, and usually feature a tassel, maybe

even one on each point. There is usually one in every window and represents the

Star of Bethlehem. Brightly colored streamers are hung inside and out. A highlight

of Christmas in the Philippines are giant lanterns of colored and capiz shells. These

are some 12 feet in diameter and are lit and carried in a parade. The event attracts

crowds of people from Manila and nearby provinces.

All in all Christmas-time in the Philippines is reported to be one of the longest and

happiest Christmas festivals in the world.