Roots & Wings | December 2020

Pasko Ng Pilipino

Pinoy Christmas in Austria

Words by Ralph Chan AUSTRIA

Why is Christmas different this year? Christmas is known to be the time of the year when families and friends celebrate together. This year, however, a lot is different. We are currently experiencing the world’s largest health crisis. Christmas market(s) or as they say in Austria, Christkindlmarkt, are not allowed to open this year and on Christmas Eve we can only celebrate it with a limited number of loved ones.

In addition to the health crisis, Vienna was hit by a terrorist attack. In both crises, many have lost their loved ones. This year’s Christmas season makes us therefore more reflective. Despite all the negativity that has been with us throughout the year, we do not allow these to snatch joy away from us. Notably because the Filipinos are known to celebrate the longest Christmas.

Thanks to the Filipino immigrants who brought Christmas traditions from the Philippines with them to Austria, this has also had an impact on the way we celebrate Christmas here today. We realise that this as a time of love and for the family.

Belen, Parol at iba pa The first preparations for the Christmas season begin with the so-called BER months (months ending with the suffix -BER). Many put their Christmas trees up in September, even before Halloween or All Souls’ Day happens. Filipinos love to decorate their home especially around Christmas season. In addition to the typical decorations such as Christmas lights, Santa Claus figures and much more, there are also some typical Filipino ornaments that beautify the homes.

Here, one can often find a Belen. It is a creche that depicts the birth of Christ. Belen is derived from the Spanish name for Bethlehem and shows the baby Jesus in the manger, surrounded by the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, the shepherds, their flock, the Magi and some animals towered by an angel, a star or both. Belen can be seen in homes, churches, schools, and even in office buildings. Those that are in official buildings are extravagantly decorated using different materials for the figures.

Another typical Filipino ornament is the Parol (from the Spanish word farol), a star-shaped lantern that decorates Filipino houses and buildings every Christmas season. These lanterns represent the star that led the Magi, also known as the Three Kings, to Bethlehem. Parols are popular decorations in Filipino homes. Even in Vienna, there is also the possibility to make parols yourself. Interested parties are taught by the artist group named Filipino Visual Artists in Austria.

Children like to go house to house in small groups and sing Christmas carols, which is called caroling. Their instruments are very simply built, like tambourines with aluminium bottle stoppers strung on a piece of wire.

With the traditional chant of “Namamasko po!” (“wishing you a merry Christmas”) children sing Christmas carols like “Maligayang Pasko” to homeowners and they reward them with coins.

The children thank the homeowners with another Christmas carol by singing: “Thank you, thank you, ang babait ninyo (you are so nice), thank you!”. Another tradition is Manita- Manito, which we know here in Europe as Engerl-Bengerl or Secret Santa. Family members, friends or work colleagues give each other a small gift.

How religion influenced Filipino Christmas One of the religious traditions that is also lived here in Austria is Simbang Gabi (‘Dawn Mass’), a novena of morning masses from December 16– 24. The believers thereby show their devotion to God and the anticipation of the birth of Christ. A folk belief is that God grants a special wish of a devotee who attends all nine masses. After the mass, families buy traditionally Filipino holiday dishes, local delicacies, including bibingka (rice flour and eggbased cake, cooked on the top and bottom with charcoal burners); puto bumbong (a purple, sticky rice delicacy steamed in bamboo tubes, buttered then sprinkled with brown sugar and shredded dried coconut meat).

The last mass (‘Misa de Gallo’) is celebrated on Christmas Eve on December 24. After the visit, the traditional Noche Buena takes place where family members eat together around midnight.

A traditional meal is served on the table like queso de bola (“ball of cheese”, which is made of edam sealed in red paraffin wax); tsokolate, noodles and pasta, fruit salad, pandesal, relleno and hamon (Christmas ham). Some families also open their gifts.

Filipinos usually visit relatives of extended family, especially seniors, on Christmas Day. As a thank you, the senior gives children an aguinaldo (gift, present, bonus), which is often kept in a sealed envelope.

After a week, Media Noche takes place at New Years’ Eve, where family members meet again and celebrate together. Unlike the Europeans, the Filipinos are pretty noisy on New

Year’s Eve. In addition to the typical fireworks, torotot or other instruments are used to greet the new year, because Filipinos believe that this will make the negativity of the past year disappear. Other customs include displaying 12 round fruits symbolising prosperity for the next 12 months, jumping at midnight, wearing clothes with polka dots, having coins in your pockets and opening all lights, windows and doors to the blessing the first day of the year to come in.

The Christmas season officially ends with Epiphany on January 6. A traditional custom on this day is for children to leave their shoes out of the window or door so that the Three Kings can leave small gifts like candy or money.

Our Christmas traditions are indeed important. They contribute to a feeling of comfort and belonging, strengthen values, create memories and offer the possibility to apologize or to say thank you.

As Bureau Editor of Austria, I therefore wish everyone Maligayang Pasko at Isang Masaganang Manigong Bagong Taon! Frohe Weihnachten und ein erfolgreiches neues Jahr!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!