No one does Christmas like Pinoys

No one celebrates Christmas like Filipinos do. As early as September, Christmas songs about snow and reindeers and mistletoes are already being played on the radio, never mind if the country does not have those things. Filipinos love Christmas so much that even the incredible traffic cannot ruin the merry mood it brings to everyone.   But what exactly is it about the season that makes it merry and bright?   First, the music. As you can tell from the number of karaoke spots in the country, singing is something we Pinoys really, really love to do. So it's not surprising that come Christmas, we've thought of everything. From the tagalized versions of traditional Christmas carols to the kids who call you "barat" (cheapskate) if you don't give them anything for their jumbled up jingles, this is a holiday with a never-ending soundtrack.   Another thing that never ends is the food. Even without any special occasion, we're always eating. We're like hobbits — breakfast, morning merienda, lunch, afternoon merienda — and that's not counting the occasional in-between snacks. Instead of greeting each other, we say, "Kain tayo!" or "Kumain ka na ba?"   But Christmas eating is something else. "Hindi Pasko 'pag hindi mo naisip na pinaparusahan ka kapag sinabing ‘kumain ka pa’," observes foodie Katrina Nolasco.   Traditional Noche Buena fare includes ham, Queso de Bola and fruit salad, but there are other Christmas staples, like puto bumbong, bibingka, and castañas. You don't have to particularly like these holiday food items. If they're not on the table, it's like something's missing.   "Hindi Pasko kapag walang keso de bola na lasang kandila," says Trixie Ballesteros, a graduate student. And if you're not able to have your favorite Christmas food, you'll just settle for something similar.   It's popular belief that all this prandial celebrating will lead to weight gain, but the holidays are a time of strenuous physical activity, i.e. The Christmas Party.   Whether it's your annual family reunion where you don't really know anyone or your office Christmas party, chances are you'll be burning calories. It could be rehearsing a song and dance number for your awkward presentation or running around the malls to complete your Kris Kringle shopping list — somehow, somewhere, you'll be putting all your holiday munching to good use.   Like any other holiday, Christmas is not all good. You know it’s Christmas when you can’t get a cab, or you get a cab but the driver seems to have been impersonated by the Grinch.  “Hindi Pasko kapag walang sobrang traffic at greedy taxi drivers,” observes cartoonist Andrew Villar.   One good thing about the season is that everyone makes an effort to decorate. You'll surely get stuck in traffic, but at least the tail lights of the car you've been stuck behind for hours aren't the only bright spots on the road. From sidewalk tiangges to giant displays, 'tis the season to be competitive. The city is lit up with Christmas trees tiny and towering, lights that blink, run, dance and drip, and parols of all shapes, shades and sizes.   Of course, the season isn't about feasting and gift-giving, which Pinoys happen to do rather well. And the number one reason we really love Christmas is because it means we get to spend more time with the people who make it worth celebrating. “Hindi Pasko kapag walang pamilya,” says Villar. And if it isn’t about family, it’s about the people around you. "Hindi Pasko kung hindi nag-a-abot-kamay para sa kapamilya, kaibigan, kapwa Pilipino," says Kath Muller.   Indeed, Christmas seems more Christmas-like because of things like parols, bibingka, and presents. But in the end, we try not to forget that the celebration has a deeper meaning. "Hindi Pasko kapag walang pagmamahal sa Diyos at pagmamahal sa kapwa, kapayapaan sa kalooban, kawang-gawa, at pagpapatawad," says Canada-based Cecille Jabier.   Some chose to celebrate by sharing their blessings. Poet-volunteer Dakila Cutab says that growing up, he would always be told that Christmas is a time of sharing. But he says that helping others is not seasonal.   "Hindi si Sendong ang dahilan kung bakit tayo nagkakandarapang tumulong. Hindi rin ang Pasko ang dahilan kung bakit tayo nagmamadaling mag-abot ng konting biyaya. Ang pagtulong sa kapwa o sa kalikasan ay dapat na palagiang ginagawa, dahil ito ang magpapaunlad sa atin bilang isang tao at bilang isang bayan," says Cutab.   Singapore resident Marlon Dici puts it simply:  "Hindi Pasko kapag walang Jesus Christ." — KBK/HS, GMA News