More than 20 years ago, Marikina City native Dona Robles-Santiago traveled to Turin in Italy to join her husband V, who was working there. Soon, they became a family of four with the arrival of their son Lorenzo and daughter Karol, who are now 21 and 19, respectively.
The Santiagos have visited the Philippines several times, while some family members and friends have paid them a visit in Italy. But the longing for their homeland never fades and even intensifies during the holiday season.
Santiago, a homemaker, enumerates to Lifestyle via online messaging her favorite things about Christmas in the Philippines. First is basking in the company of loved ones and meeting many others, including distant relatives. Then there’s the food, particularly the seasonal specialties puto bumbong and bibingka, plus all the local sweets and desserts. Lastly, there are the uniquely Filipino and festive decorations that light the streets at night.
Living nativity village
She says she and her husband make efforts to follow some Filipino traditions for their children to experience and feel connected to their ancestry. For instance, she tries to incorporate Pinoy dishes in their noche buena “for nostalgia.” But they partake of the Christmas meal around the time they usually have dinner, and not traditionally at midnight.
Robles-Santiago explains that after having dinner, she and her family go out to watch the live production of the nativity scene happening in the town they live in. The actors are dressed up as characters in a village where Christ was born in the town of Bethlehem. At the end of the line of villagers, another set of actors portray the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph looking after the infant Jesus, representing the living Holy Family.
wacky poses for their Christmas photo shoot.
After watching the presentation, she says they try to go straight to church “if it’s not so cold late at night” to hear the Christmas Eve mass at midnight. Then, they head back home to open their gifts and have some hot chocolate. On Christmas Day, the Santiagos share another special meal usually with friends.
“One new tradition we added is a family picture-taking at home with our Christmas tree,” she says. “We really enjoy doing our silly poses on camera. We once tried going on a trip, but we realized that there is no Christmas like at home.”
She continues, “At home, we cook, we eat, we relax, we snuggle together for some warmth while it’s freezing outside. No other extraordinary plans for this Christmas, but just happily and thankfully staying at home with our family.
“We may be small in number, but we are all happily enjoying our togetherness and the simple joys. We are thankful to the Lord for all His blessings and love for us.” INQ