2. Shopping
When I was in Australia, I met a fellow hard-working lady. As we all know, the cost of living there is high. Hence, she had to limit everything shopping-wise – shoes, clothes, and other girly stuff. She shared with me that if she gets a chance to go on a vacation, she would always choose December as it is the most blissful time of the year. She’d go shopping galore and would buy every thing she cannot afford in Australia. She finds it practical and economical. “Support your own.” , I reckon.
This goes to show that shopping in the Philippines is indeed more fun! Great quality and great value for your money. Every Balikbayan knows, your shopping won’t be complete if you don’t swing by Divisoria or Greenhills Shopping Center, two of the famous shopping havens in the Philippines.
1. Simbang Gabi
This is my mother-in-law’s favorite Church. It is located at Buffalo corner Duke Streets, East Greenhills, Mandaluyong City. The church is named after its patron, St. Joseph, husband of Mary.
Simbang gabi is a Filipino- devotional nine-day tradition, practiced by the Roman Catholic community. The Simbang Gabi officially begins December 16th and ends on the 24th of December. The time for Simbang Gabi varies for each parish, but traditionally, it starts at 4 a.m. Some people believe that if they complete the 9-day evening mass, their wishes will come true. It’s been years since I completed Simbang Gabi, but I think my wish indeed came true!
Manila Cathedral is located at Plaza de Roma in Intramuros, Manila. The Church was reopened to the public again after several renovations last April 9,2014.
Bibingka and Puto Bumbong are best eaten with Salabat (Ginger Ale), after Simbang Gabi.
Although people can still do this overseas, the feeling is totally different over here. After mass, people can see rows of food vendors outside the church. Most often than not, they treat this yuletide season like a Holy Week as well. Visiting Churches have a special space in their itinerary. Manila Cathedral, Sanctuario de San Jose, and San Antonio de Padua in Cavite, are just some of our relatives’ favorite churches.
With the technology available today, distance is no longer an issue. Awesome photos can now be shared online and everything is just a click away. However, nothing beats a complete family doing these traditions together, don’t you agree?
How about you? Do you have anything to share? If you are a Balikbayan, what Christmas tradition do you enjoy doing when in Manila?
3 Christmas Traditions Balikbayans Enjoy When in Manila
