Christmas beyond borders—How it feels like a Christmas in places in the Philippines

Yahya Ibrahim Yusop, and Johnny Marquez

Red and green lights intertwine in homes as the year nears its end, marking the arrival of a season many Filipinos eagerly anticipate. Carols echo through neighborhoods, while the warm, smoky aroma of puto bumbong drifts through corners after dawn masses, inviting moments of pause and togetherness. As nights grow livelier and days feel brighter, Santa Claus slips into every child’s dream, carrying promises of wonder and joy. 

More than any other time, this season draws families closer and reminds Filipinos why it remains an enduring tradition woven into memory and hope, yet, beneath these shared sights and sounds lies a tapestry of cultures, each shaping the season in its own way. 

Nights of hope and future

For many Filipino Catholics, devotion takes form in Simbang Gabi, a cherished tradition of nine dawn masses that begins on December 16 and culminates in the midnight mass of the 24th. Introduced by Spanish friars, these early morning gatherings—also known as Misa de Gallo—draw the faithful to churches before sunrise. 

Simbang Gabi serves as a spiritual preparation, honoring the birth of Jesus Christ and offering a moment of quiet reflection, hope, and prayer, as many believe that completing all nine masses brings blessings and answered wishes.

Get celebrated faraway land 

While most in the Christian-dominated places in the country similarly share the ambiance of Christmas, it is different somewhere with fewer Christians, like in Sulu Province. Despite Sulu being surrounded by Muslims, Christian brothers and sisters are still celebrating how Christmas appears to be — in their own versions that still instill its essence within their loved ones and the community as a whole. 

Like other Christians, Jean Mary-Anne Baga, a nursing student from Notre Dame of Jolo College shared the same scenarios when Christmas annually approaches. Their cultures, from aesthetic decorations that turn a plain house into colorful space to spiritual masses at church that bless extraordinary prayer from ordinary manifestation, remain the peaks of anticipation and excitement in this once-a-year event. 

“Sa bahay namin, we celebrate Christmas by decorating our house with Christmas decorations and lights. Nagpe-prepare din kami spiritually by attending the Misa de Gallo for nine nights before Christmas Eve. Inaayos at nililinis namin ang bahay kasi may mga kamag-anak na [bibisita],” she said, highlighting how Christmas definitely prepared, aesthetically and spiritually for Christians. 

Lived with diversity in religion, the celebration is for all — believing the power of strong bond to strengthen connection and foster love in spite of difference. Like Jean, Christmas, for her, always seeks an opportunity to get along with loved ones from other religion, looking as its true spirit of love and togetherness 

“[‘Pag] Christmas Day naman [yan so], we do [outings] with the family, like [pupunta sa] beach ganyan and have salo-salo together,” she added that lives the ambiance and value of Christmas beyond boundaries and differences. 

Christmas outside its vibrance

Speaking of differences, for Mary Grace Dampayla, the former youth president of Parish Youth Ministry based in Sulu, respect frees them in the Christian community to feel the vibrance of Christmas. The fact that 10% of the population around the province are non-Muslims might differ the scenario, her gratefulness spoke for herself and the entire Christians: showering the spirit of Christmas in a respectful atmosphere. 

“[M]alaya naming [ipinagdiriwang] ang [Pasko] dito sa bayan ng Jolo. Nararamdaman [pa rin] namin ang [respeto] ng mga kapatid naming [Muslims]. [Nakakapag-Simbang Gabi pa rin] kami, [nakakapag-caroling] at higit sa lahat, naidaraos [pa rin] namin ang kasiyahan ng [P]asko,” she gratefully said. 

To her, place and religion are not the hindrances to impede the celebration, firmly believing that gaps cannot break the essential flavor of Christmas — love and mutual understanding among one another towards peaceful and exciting commemoration. 

“I’ve realized na, hindi hadlang kung saang lugar ka man naninirahan, sino at anong relihiyon ang iyong [nakakasalamuha]. As long as nangingibabaw ang [respeto] sa isa’t isa, ay malaya [nating mararamdaman] ang kapayapaan,” she added with her hope that diversity makes difference within Sulu and beyond.

Christmas in the Philippines is not a single story told the same way each year, but a harmony of voices, beliefs, and practices that reflect the nation’s rich identity. These differences do not fragment the celebration; they strengthen it, showing that joy takes many forms and faith is expressed in countless ways. 

As the lights dim and the carols gently fade, what endures is a shared spirit of love, generosity, and unity—a reminder that Christmas, shaped by diverse cultures and traditions, lives not only in customs, but in the hearts of those who celebrate it.