Longest Festival

2008 is just few days away and before we bid goodbye to 2k7, I'll promise to post and share the longest festival in the Philippines, the Christmas season.

Christmas celebration in the Philippines is unique with it's culture, traditions and symbols. Pinoy, as we call the locals in the Philippines starts the celebration on the "ber" month. They usually start decorating their houses with lights and elaborate Christmas decors in September. An example of these can be seen at Policarpio Street, Mandaluyong City.

(Image courtesy of Enrico Dee of Byahilo.com)

Aside from the traditional decorations, the common Pinoy is looking forward in the celebration of Misa de Gallo.

*Misa de Gallo is the Spanish phrase for Midnight mass. This tradition lasts for nine days, starting on December 16 up to December 24,and usually starting at around 4:00-5:00 a.m. This practice started during the Spanish colonial period in the Philippines when priests held early dawn masses for the farmers who wanted to attend Christmas mass but could not leave their fields. These masses were held before daybreak, hence the Filipino term "Simbang Gabi" (Midnight Mass). Today, Filipinos wake up very early in the morning to attend the Misa de Gallo as an expression of devotion to God.

The Christmas Celebration in the Philippines does not end on the 25th of December. For the Filipinos, the Christmas season ends on the first Sunday of January after the celebration of the feast for the Three Kings. As such, the traditional Philippine Christmas celebration can be technically known as one of the longest festival or event in the world.

I'll be posting more about Christmas in the Philippines soon.

*Source: Wikipeda.com