How Filipino Christmas traditions are getting a makeover and the meanings these decorations and practices reflect

Christmas in the Philippines always starts as soon as September. As the cooler weather rolls in, so does the flurry of dinners, drinks, and ticking off endless gifts and to-do lists.

Sure, we’re caught up in the holiday rush, but let’s face it, Filipinos take Christmas seriously. And by seriously, we’re one of the most Christmas-obsessed nations in the world. With over 86 percent of Filipinos being Catholic, and another 6 percent from other Christian denominations, we’re pretty much the Asian capital of Christmas. No wonder we’re the only country that starts singing carols when most people are still planning their Halloween costumes.

Subtle cultural shifts

I first noticed the shift professionally, where the warm “Merry Christmas” greeting has largely been replaced by the more corporate “Happy Holidays.” Another common greeting now is “Merry Christmas… to those who celebrate,” tacked on at the end. While inclusivity is important, the cautious approach to seasonal greetings feels a bit like navigating a word minefield—safe, but lacking the festive sparkle.

Another noticeable change has been the gradual disappearance of “belens” or nativity scenes from our holiday landscape. Once a common sight in homes and public spaces, belens have become increasingly rare. From malls to my neighborhood, where families once proudly displayed their belens, they’ve been replaced with more secular decorations like polar bears and snowmen (a curious, but incongruous choice for our tropical climate). This change from traditional religious symbols to generic winter-themed displays also seems to reflect a shift in how we visually celebrate the season.

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Interestingly, contrast this with New York City, the world’s melting pot where inclusivity and diversity are celebrated to an extraordinary degree. Despite this, the bustling, touristy Times Square went quiet during a digital video of the Nativity scene earlier this December. If such a city like New York, renowned for its multiculturalism, can find room for such an overtly Christian symbol, why does it feel like the Philippines is slowly stepping away from its own traditions?

Finding that sweet spot

These changes likely stem from a well-meaning effort to make the season more inclusive, a trait adapted from the Western world, aiming to respect those who may not celebrate Christmas in its religious sense, focusing on gift-giving and themes of “togetherness” instead. 

It’s worth thinking about how inclusivity and tradition can coexist. And from the remarks I’ve heard of my elder aunts and own mother, who find deep spiritual meaning in the traditions, it can make practicing Christians feel sad and alienated as well.

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No one’s saying we need to go on a full-on religious revival. But maybe there’s a middle ground between tradition and modern sensitivity. After all, the Philippines invented the nine-day Christmas mass marathon with Simbang Gabi. Surely we can also figure out how to keep our unique traditions while making room for everyone at the holiday table.

Keep the belen, but perhaps park the polar bears next to it. They could use the tropical vacation. When it comes to greetings, it seems many already instinctively adjust based on the person they’re addressing. For instance, “Merry Christmas” is still widely used for those who celebrate the holiday, while “Happy Holidays” or the more cautious “to those who celebrate” have become common for inclusivity. But for example, your parish priest or senior aunt might appreciate a “Merry Christmas” more than a “Happy Holidays,” subtle as it may seem. 

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Beyond its religious roots, Filipino Christmas traditions are also rich in cultural practices, from the iconic star-shaped parol, based on the star of Bethlehem, to the boisterous nochebuena gatherings, celebrating the night of Jesus’ birth. These uniquely Filipino elements are largely cultural, grounding celebrations in community and heritage, even as global influences reshape how we decorate, greet, and celebrate.

It seems to me that inclusivity doesn’t have to mean letting go of traditions entirely either. It can mean making room for new ones. Churches may be emptier, and faiths might feel weaker, while malls are bursting at the seams. It took me 45 minutes to find a parking spot in Rockwell yesterday (though praying “Hail Mary, full of grace, please help me find a parking space” did the trick). It’s wild to see how worldwide, economic growth often coincides with a decline in church attendance, as well. 

In response to a past SWS survey indicating a rise in public sentiments to leave the Catholic church, former president of Ateneo de Davao University Fr. Joel Tabora S.J., wrote in a blog post, “The Catholic Church is in trouble—even in Catholic Philippines… People have been leaving the Catholic Church. People are about to leave the Church.”

Economic growth has undoubtedly changed how we celebrate, but it makes me wonder—are we too busy chasing it to enjoy the quiet, reflective peace Christmas offers?

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Like adobo in every Filipino household, our Christmas traditions may vary, but the essence, the core recipe, remains the same. “Christ” as the root word of Christmas will never change. The season continues to revolve around faith, family, and that unexplainable joy that washes over us the moment the -ber months begin, even as we sweat through our Christmas sweaters.

While the season evolves, what parts of our traditions will remain timeless, and what new practices will we embrace?

As we grapple with how to stay open and welcoming in a changing world, a bit of reflection can help us embrace diversity and practice sensitivity without losing the essence of the cultural and Christian traditions that make Christmas in the Philippines so special—and explain why, here, the season begins as early as September.

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