It is the time of the year when church bells ring just before dawn, light blink and shine colourfully in the night and the sounds of tambourines in the hands of carollers can be heard from now and then. Carolling is one of my favourite traditions of Filipinos during the Christmas season. What makes carolling so unique in the Philippines is that carollers use recycled materials to make musical instruments, like using flattened bottle caps connected with wires in the middle as tambourines, or tin cans as drums. Carollers sing either English or Filipino Christmas songs.
Among my favourites are Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit (Christmas is Here) and Sa May Bahay Ang Aming Bati (Greetings to the House Owner). Some carollers sing to raise funds for the poor, while some just want to experience the Christmas spirit in singing. For children singing carols, they are more than happy if you can spare them a few coins for singing a Christmas song. What a wonderful feeling it is to sing Christmas carols on street and bring joy to the others.
—Dana Paragile
I n the Philippines, Christmas carols can be heard as early as September. As Christmas approaches, the coldness of the air goes with the melody of the music. Children in small groups go from house to house singing Christmas carols. People make tambourines with aluminum bottle caps creatively.
We always have fond memories of carolling when we were children. With the traditional Christmas greeting to the house owners after carolling, we expected them to reward us with a few coins. Afterwards, we sang a song of thanks.
Philippines can indeed give you the best experience and remind you of the essence of Christmas.
— Maricel Carcueva
I miss spending Christmas in the Philippines. As a child I loved going from one house to the other singing Christmas carols and it was really fun. It was also fun buying Christmas decorations, colourful Christmas lights and lanterns as well.
Here in Hong Kong we cannot do carolling from house to house. But we have Christmas parties so that we can have great time with friends and family, and reunite with old friends during the holiday season.
— Elvera Federico
Carolling is in the heart of every Filipino. As we prepare the Christmas season, it helps us to prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus through the songs. The birth of Jesus is the focus of the well-loved Christmas carols. Christmas carols are now included in both secular family celebrations as well as Church celebrations. But perhaps we should also remember the real meaning of Christmas and stay faithful to Jesus Christ while we are having fun.
— Maria Elena Garcia
As a child, I loved to do carolling together with other children because at the end of the day we could receive a few coins, which were our main source of income during Christmas season.
I remember that while walking on the street there was a woman who approached me and gave me some coins. I asked her why and she said they were for the night I did carolling in their house and she had not been able to give at that time because she did not have any coins.
I am so thankful to all people who have shared their blessings during Christmas.
— Marife Ortiz
