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Welcome to our Christmas special where we will feature Filipino dessert recipes and interesting facts about Christmas in the Philippines. Read our first article here on www.filipinodesserts.net.

It is especially true and proudly proclaimed that Filipinos is the “Land of Fiestas”. Christmas season is the most well-known festive fiesta in the Philippines. This country has by far the longest and merriest Christmas season complete with Christmas carols heard as early as September and lovely, colorful Christmas decorations hung up on display whether at homes or at stores. The Christmas season officially starts on December 16 with the attendance at the first of nine pre-dawn masses and continues until the first Sunday of January, Feast of the Three Kings.
The Philippines is the only Asian country to be predominated by Christians which makes Roman Catholic as a religion followed by majority of its people. Christmas day, therefore, is a special and important family affair for most Filipinos as a Christmas tradition. It is a time for family, for sharing and giving and a time for food, fun and fellowship. Christmas Eve is a night without sleep and continuous celebration which Filipino families anticipate for the clock to strike 12 midnight. In some regions where fireworks are allowed, most families greet Christmas at the strike of 12 midnight with sparks and blasts of colorful and lively fireworks.
Noche Buena


The Noche Buena is a tradition inherited form Spanish ancestors where mult
itude Filipino culinary delight adds rich aroma and appetizing flavor in a Filipino home. Noche Buena is a sumptuous Filipino meal usually partaken by twelve midnight. This feast usually follows after the entire family has attended a late evening church service or Misa de Aguinaldo about an hour or so before midnight. Misa de Aguinaldo or a Holy Mass is being celebrated to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. A typical noche buena prepared on the table consists of a main course of Filipino food and Filipino desserts. The entrees of Filipino foods are lechon (roasted suckling pig), fried chicken, lumpia, chicken or pork adobo, rice among many others. Filipino desserts include halo-halo, rice cakes, pastries, cakes and so much more. After all, Filipinos are known for their love of sweets regardless of how old or young they may be. Typical drinks for all ages are soda, fruit punch and juice. Also included in the list of drinks are wine and beer for those who look forward to an intoxicating Christmas!
The Noche Buena could last until four o’clock in the morning noon Christmas day. Most Filipino families will again attend mass or church service during the morning. It is during Christmas day that some godchildren (inaanak) visit their godfather (ninong) and godmother or (ninang). Christmas day is also a perfect time to hold grand reunions of extended family clan members such as grandparents, grandchildren, cousins, uncles and aunts. It is an opportunity for families to get together, open Christmas gifts, singing Christmas carols and story-telling. In some charitable homes, it is also a way to welcome the less fortunate such as orphans or poor people to join the Christmas celebration. Christmas carolers often visit house to house to raise funds for civic organizations and are given donations in cash or kind.
Christmas is a day of family closeness and everyone in the family and clan wishes good cheer and glad tidings to one another. The Christmas spirit of generosity prevails and the love for family and God is emphasized all because of the Christmas traditions that Filipinos adheres to. All of these traditions and beliefs make up Philippines’ longest yet merriest Christmas season known in the world.
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