A Christmas of Light and Sound at Aguinaldo Shrine

Christmas is the most festive season in the Philippines. In fact, our country is popular for having the longest Christmas Season in the world. As the much awaited season, every town in the country have their own ways of celebrating it.

Last year, we visited the Kahayag Festival of the town of Carmen in Davao del Norte that features giant Christmas trees and belen (nativity scenes). Many people from Carmen and other towns flock the town plaza to see lights and feel the beauty of Christmas.

This year, we went to the Christmas Light and Sound Show at the Aguinaldo Shrine.

I visited Aguinaldo Shrine three years ago. It was an edifying experience because I finally saw the house that had an important role in our history. This white house was the residence of the first president Emilio Aguinaldo and this where he declared our country’s independence from Spain.

Colorful lights danced on the walls of Aguinaldo Shrine in tune to Christmas songs. Christmas lights abound the plaza but I believe that the Kahayag Festival has better decorations.

My sister-in-law informed me that last year’s decorations were more grand. I guess the local government is trying to save money this year.

Many people visit Aguinaldo Shrine not only for the light and sound show but also for the Christmas bazaar. There are shops for toys, clothes, bags, and other items straight from Divisoria.

The Christmas Light and Sound Show is the best place for kids. My Beloved Wife Lei’s pamangkins enjoyed the place especially that they have a wide space to run around.

Christmas Light and Sound Show at Aguinaldo Shrine is still open until January 4 so you can still come even if Christmas Day is over. Read this schedule for more info:

(Aguinaldo Shrine FB page)

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Frenzy Christmas Shopping in Divisoria

The Christmas Season is on. The people are frantic in shopping for gifts and Christmas decors. Divisoria, that area in Manila known for cheap products, are filled to the brim with these frantic shoppers.

People, people everywhere at Recto Avenue, Divisoria.

My Beloved and I are unfortunate because some of our suppliers for the wedding are located in Divisoria. We were forced to dive in Divisoria's sea of humanity everytime we visit the place.

Last week, we visited our mananahi for the second fitting of my Beloved's wedding gown. We took the opportunity to do some Christmas shopping.

My Beloved made the first buy. She bought earrings for her nieces and goddaughters in a stall in 168 Mall. Each earring costs 35 pesos but we got them in wholesale price of 20 pesos because we bought 7 pieces.

The earrings are definitely cheap but they look elegant enough. I bet that my Beloved's nieces and goddaughters will like them.

Divisoria is the place to go to for cheap Christmas items. People know this that's why they flock to 168 Mall, 999 Mall and the streets of Divisoria. It is so crowded that I got irritated because we couldn't get a seat in McDonalds. We waited for a long time before we got a space to eat in that fastfood joint.

My Beloved enjoyed our many trips to Divisoria despite the crowd. There are so many things that she can buy cheaply. I think that Divisoria has the power to unleash the shopaholic tendencies of my Beloved. She always have something to bring home everytime we visit Divisoria.

Another item that she bought is a bag that costs 50 pesos.

Since we are going to Divisoria, my Mom asked us to buy a Christmas tree and Christmas lanterns. Well, we did what she commanded. We bought her Christmas trees and lanterns and of course some Christmas decors like balls and lights.

The Christmas tree costs 350 pesos. The big balls are 100 pesos for 20 pieces while the small balls are 25 pesos for 12 pieces. 5-meter long LED Christmas lights costs 120 pesos. The star costs 25 pesos. All in all, we spent 620 pesos which is cheap especially if it is compared with the prices in the malls.

If your going to Divisoria to buy Christmas gifts, I suggest that you increase your patience because you will experience colliding with many people or will be crushed by the crowd or your feet trampled upon or talking to exhausted (ill-tempered) vendors.

There is no respite even in the evening. Hordes of shoppers flock Divisoria for the night market.

Divisoria is so crowded this Christmas Season so be prepared when you go to Divisoria. Increase your patience, be alert to the pickpockets, hone your haggling skills and then dive to the sea of shoppers. Of course, don't forget to enjoy Christmas shopping in Divisoria.

What to Do During Karoling Season

Sa maybahay ang aming bati, “merry Krismas na malwalhati.”
Ang pag-ibig ang siyang naghari, sana araw-araw ay magiging Pasko lagi.
Ang sanhi po ng pagparito, hihingi po ng aginaldo.
Kung sakaling kami’y perwisyo, pasensya na kayo kami'y namamasko.

I bet that many of you (if you are in the Philippines) already heard that popular Christmas song this time of the year. Well, it is Christmas Season, which is the perfect time for enterprising kids to brandish their tambourines made of tansan (bottle caps). It is also the perfect time for them to visit your house to croak their angelic voices for some coins.
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Improvised tambourine. (Source: Think!)

Karoling is Christmas tradition in the Philippines. Karoling is the Filipinized rendition of the word caroling. Karoling is not just being done by the children as there are adult carolers who use real musical instruments like guitar, tambourines, etc. Children carolers are much simpler because their musical instruments are tambourines made from bottle caps and tin cans that serve as drums.
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(Source: Life's Memoirs Online)

People have many reactions when it comes to karoling. Majority of these reactions, I believe, is that of annoyance. This kind of reaction is understandable because these kids has the habit of returning to your house night after night until Christmas Eve if they discovered that you are generous in handing out coins.

So, how should you deal with these children? Here are the things that you can do when they are karoling at your house:

1. Hide and Ignore – This is highly recommended for ninongs and ninangs who have the habit of hiding from their inaanaks (godchildren) every Christmas. You should always keep in mind that carolers are attracted to Christmas lights like the way moths are attracted to the flame. Don’t decorate your house with Christmas lights to avoid being noticed by these kids.  If you’re uncharitable enough to not want carolers to visit your house, I suggest that you turn off all the lights inside and outside of your house and pretend that you are asleep.

2. Give them Coins or Scold them – Another way to deal with carolers is to follow a sort of “merit system.” You give the carolers a reward (a.k.a. coins) if they sang their Christmas carol well. Avoid giving them any coin if they continue croaking like frogs instead of singing. This is a good way motivating carolers to improve their karoling. Bad-singing carolers will avoid your house because they think that you demand so much just for a few coins.

3. Give them treats – Give the carolers candies or food if you don't want to give them money. This alternative is similar to the Halloween “trick or treat.” If you don't like their karoling then you trick 'em but I guess that is not in accord with the Christmas spirit.

4. Let the dogs out – Do this if you idolize old Scrooge but be prepared to be hacked with jungle bolo of the children's angry fathers.

There was a time when karoling is taken seriously. That was the time when kids put an effort to sing well. Nowadays, the children carolers don't care if their singing is out of tune or no one understands what they are saying. This is the reason why many people think that karoling is annoying.
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(Photo by Rowell Ang)

I also noticed that these children took karoling to the streets. They climb jeepneys and buses to ask for coins after they sang their Christmas carol. What they are doing is very dangerous. I will not be surprised if there will be a road accident that involves them.

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