Pasko or Christmas in the Philippines has earned the distinction of celebrating this world holiday. Philippines is one of predominantly Catholic countries in Asia and Christmas season is one o the biggest holidays in calendar. Christmas in the Philippines is a mixture of Western and native Filipino traditions. Santa Claus, the Christmas tree, sending Christmas cards, and singing carols have all been inherited from the cultures of the West. However, these have all been adapted to fit the nature and personality of the Filipino people. Christmas carols and greetings are heard as early as September and these seascon lasts until Ephiphany.
Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo ("Midnight Masses" or "Mass of the Rooster")
From the Catholic custom, Simbang Gabi is a gathering for celebration of the Eucharist in the pre-dawn hours of each on the nine days before Christmas. This is a nine-day dawn masses that starts from December 16 until on Christmas day. One old Spanish name for this pre-Christmas series of daily masses is Misa de Aguinaldo (aguinaldo means "gift" or "gift for the Child Jesus"). Church bells will be ringing very early in the morning to call for "night worship" and celebration, a tradition with deep roots in the country's religious culture. For the Filipinos, this pre-Christmas observance (considered as Novena by the Catholic and Aglipayan faithfuls) is a practice of faith and devotion as well as to heighten anticipation for the Nativity of Jesus. Filipinos also believe in completing this nine-day dawn masses, God would grant the devotee's special wish or favour.
After hearing Mass, Filipino families partake of traditional Philippine Christmastime delicacies, either during breakfast at home or immediately outside the church, where they are sold. Vendors offer a wealth of native delicacies, including bibingka (rice flour and egg based cake, cooked using coals on top of and under the pastry), puto bumbong (a purple sticky rice delicacy which is steamed in bamboo tubes, with brown sugar and shredded dried coconut meat served as condiments), salabat (hot ginger tea) and tsokolate (thick Spanish cocoa).
After hearing Mass, Filipino families partake of traditional Philippine Christmastime delicacies, either during breakfast at home or immediately outside the church, where they are sold. Vendors offer a wealth of native delicacies, including bibingka (rice flour and egg based cake, cooked using coals on top of and under the pastry), puto bumbong (a purple sticky rice delicacy which is steamed in bamboo tubes, with brown sugar and shredded dried coconut meat served as condiments), salabat (hot ginger tea) and tsokolate (thick Spanish cocoa).
References:
Wikipedia: Philippine Christmas Traditions
Seasite: Philippine Christmas
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