CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: ENVISIONING THE PINNACLE OF SUCCESS

MMSUMMSUMMSUMMSUMMSU

MMSUMMSUMMSUMMSUMMSU It’s been a heck of a month you’ve been passing through. Are your two brain cells still hanging in there? Probably you’re wearing that thinking cap of yours trying to study this and that for your upcoming fi nals and sweeping off the requirements done in your class, but suddenly you hear something from afar. “Is that singing?” you say. You recognized it’s something soft, something jingly, something that made you realize that it’s getting closer, physically and emotionally. You then guessed what type of song you’re witnessing on the streets, and it made you nostalgic, “Ah! It’s that time of the year again.” Christmas is right around the corner, and it makes you feel motivated at fi nishing and getting over all the college stuff you’re fi ghting for. It made us thankful that such a holiday spirit came to us; though, how did it come to us? Surely our country did not popularize this festive celebration, but it did indeed

bring joy. Time travel time! Thanks to our good ol’ Spanish colonizer friends, Christianity was introduced in the Philippines during the early 1500s, and that’s where all the iconic traditions began. One thing we can always witness on the streets are the Christmas carols. You’re probably lowkey annoyed by the carolers sometimes in connection to your spare change but it’s part of the tradition of Christmas, especially when you’re doing it. Christmas carols provide an opportunity to show happiness and gratitude by visiting house to house and spreading the holiday spirit. We don’t mind if they utilize recycled bottle caps and metal cans with coins as musical handbells or just their plain hands to clap; as long as they put their hearts into singing the melodies, it’s defi nitely worth a look. Santa Claus? Yes, that’s also a thing we are familiar with in our country but unlike many other Western countries, the Filipino Christmas is focused on Jesus rather than Santa Claus. Sorry, milk and cookies, but you’re not staying in his belly at this place. We grew up thinking that Christmas was more about Jesus than Santa Claus because the Philippines has a huge Christian population. In fact, “Simbang JANUARY 2023 26 SIRMATA

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: ENVISIONING THE PINNACLE OF SUCCESS MMSUMMSUMMSUMMSUMMSU

MMSUMMSUMMSUMMSUMMSU gabi” (Night mass) is a popular tradition among Catholics to commemorate Jesus’ birth that starts on December 16-24. Simbang Gabi is a way for many people to off er sacrifi ce and ask the Lord for prosperity. Better set-up that alarm clock of yours every night for the next nine-days. Hold on! We have a one-of-a-kind Christmas décor that is not commonly seen in other countries?! Yes we do, and ‘parol’ is the name, a star-shaped Christmas lantern made of wood, Japanese paper, or metal. Why is parol regarded as the most important Filipino Christmas symbol? Making parol and hanging them outdoors represents the star of Bethlehem, which guided the Three Wise Men to the cradle of the newly born Jesus Christ. During the Christmas season, they light it up on their homes to express their hope, gratitude, and peace. Every night, not only do you see typical Christmas trees and fairy lights but also a big eye-catching design of parol. And how can we forget the most wholesome moment we all share, “Noche Buena”? Noche Buena is the Filipino Christmas Eve feast that begins at night and lasts till the morning of Christmas. Filipinos embraced this wonderful event as a way to celebrate and eat after the events of

“Simbang gabi.” This is a very memorable night since it is the time when family and very close friends come together to eat special Christmas supper. Meals are prepared at that specifi c time, of course, and most include graham cakes, fruit salad, noodles, and the most iconic food that is placed in the center, “Lechon Baboy,” a whole roasted pig with a fruit on its mouth as a cherry, or more specifi cally an ‘apple’ on top.

Frankly, I fi nd it hilariously amazing that the Philippines holds the world record for having the longest Christmas season. As the fi rst day of September comes, you confusingly hear Christmas OPM songs on the radio and hear “All I want for Christmas is you” at shopping malls once you enter inside (R.I.P. to all the salesclerks for listening to it nonstop). Holiday sales are everywhere because Filipinos always plan for the “Ber months” gimmick, and parol street selling is sure to be found anywhere. How can you not be excited? Stand by, or at least fi nalize your activities, for this is gonna be the most wonderful time of the year!

JOYCE SHEENA ALYSSA PAJO JANUARY 2023 27 SIRMATA