Published: 10-12-2012, 02:21

Christmas in the Philippines: Christmas Carols

Christmas in the Philippines

Christmas in the Philippines: Rooster Masses

Christmas in the Philippines: Decorations

Christmas in the Philippines: Christmas Trees

Christmas in the Philippines: Nativity Scenes

Christmas in the Philippines: Christmas Eve

Christmas in the Philippines: Christmas Gifts

Christmas in the Philippines: Christmas Day

Christmas in the Philippines: The Twelve Days of Christmas

Christmas in the Philippines: Holy Innocents’ Day

Christmas in the Philippines: New Year

Christmas in the Philippines: Epiphany

Many Filipinos enjoy singing Christmas carols. Caroling often begins in earnest on December 16. Bands of young people and adults take to the streets, singing Filipino carols as well as a smattering of English carols they have come to know. Filipino custom encourages people to reward carolers with money or sweets. Some people carol as a way of raising money for civic organizations. Youngsters often want to keep the coins and treats for themselves, however. Others carol simply for the fun of it.
In some parts of the Philippines groups of folk performers, called Pastores, offer free entertainment on the nights before Christmas. Pastores means “shepherds” in Spanish. This Filipino custom comes from an old Spanish custom of the same name. Dressed in folk costumes, the performers sing Christmas carols and other traditional Filipino songs. Sometimes they act out scenes from the Nativity story as well.

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