Pasko sa Sugbo

Well, Pasko sa Sugbo (Christmas in Cebu) has been amazing so far. The Christmas season goes until the feast of the Three Kings, which is first Sunday in January.

There is no snow here, no pine trees, and Santa Claus is not very prominent. However, the Filipinos celebrate Christmas in a grand fashion. It is one of, if not, the biggest celebrations they have here.

A lot of their traditions come from when the Spanish ruled the Philippines. Since the Spanish ruled during the same time as Mexico, a lot of the traditions are the same as Mexico today.

It starts formally on December 16. That is when they start the Misa de Gallo, or Mass of the Rooster, which is Mass at dawn. Many churches have this at 4:30 or 5:00 in the morning. These Masses continue for 9 days until December 24. Nine is the number for a novena, which is done for special graces. Filipinos believe that special graces will be granted by God on the last dawn Mass.

I only got up early enough on the last day to attend dawn Mass. I was amazed how crowded Mass was for so early in the morning. There was standing room only.

On Christmas Eve, or Noche Buena, many Filipinos attend evening Mass. Most churches around Cebu had Mass at 10:00 at night. Just like the US, the Christmas Eve Mass is filled with a lot of additional ceremony than usual.

We attended Mass with Glyn's brother Coning, sister Jen, and nephew Josh at the Basilica del Santo Niño. Again it was standing room only. There were several altar boys and celebrants at the Mass. The lights were turned off as the procession was made to the altar. After the blessing of the baby Jesus (Santo Niño), the lights were turned back on.

After Mass, we went to one of Glyn's cousin's place to celebrate Noche Buena. It is traditional to have lots of food and celebration. On the way to Glyn's cousin's place, we saw (and heard) many firecrackers going off. This is very typical to do on Noche Buena and Media Noche (New Year's Eve). I had lots of food, beer, and good times there. We didn't leave until 3:00 on Christmas morning.

On Christmas Day, it was more quiet. A lot of people, I am sure, slept in from all of the reverly the night before. Glyn and I spent Christmas at the condo opening presents.

We are going to Bohol to celebrate Media Noche. I will report on how that goes. I am looking forward to seeing how it is celebrated in the provinces here.

Hope everyone has a Happy New Year!

Pictures from Christmas in Cebu

Here are more pictures from the Philippines. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! You will see many pictures from the Christmas season here in Cebu. Included are pictures from outside the balcony, at the Mall, at Fuente Osmena, from the Christmas Party we had at the condo, from Misa de Gallo, from Waterfront Hotel, from Noche Buena, and Christmas Day. Happy New Year!

Remember you can also click the link "Pictures from the Philippines" in the Links section.

My Grown-Up Christmas List

Do you remember me?
I sat upon your knee;
I wrote to you
With childhood fantasies.

Well, I'm all grown-up now,
And still need help somehow.(can you still help somehow)
I'm not a child,
But my heart still can dream.

So here's my lifelong wish,
My grown-up Christmas list.
Not for myself,
But for a world in need.

No more lives torn apart,
That wars would never start,(and wars would never start)
And time would heal all hearts.

And everyone would have a friend,
And right would always win,
And love would never end.

This is my grown-up Christmas list.

As children we believed
The grandest sight to see
Was something lovely
Wrapped beneath our tree.(wrapped beneath the tree)

Well heaven surely knows
That packages and bows
Can never heal
A hurting human soul.

No more lives torn apart,
That wars would never start,
And time would heal all hearts.

And everyone would have a friend,
And right would always win,
And love would never end.

This is my grown-up Christmas list.

What is this illusion called the innocence of youth?
Maybe only in our blind belief can we ever find the truth.
(there'd be)

No more lives torn apart,
That wars would never start,
And time would heal all hearts.

And everyone would have a friend,
And right would always win,
And love would never end, oh.

This is my grown-up Christmas list.

Oh this is my only Christmas wish.
This is my grown-up Christmas list.