Christmas: The Longest Season in the Philippines

When Commercialism and Materialism are in Control

Nowhere else in the world do you find the longest Christmas. It’s only in the Philippines. It starts in September and ends on Epiphany. Why is this so? Let’s find out here.

It’s the BER months, folks!

What does it mean? Well, BER months refer to the four months of the year that ends in BER. That is SeptemBER. OctoBER, NovemBER, and DecemBER.

And, what do Filipinos have to do with it?

As soon as the first day of September ushers in, Filipinos know it’s Christmas time. It’s time to don their homes with Christmas-themed items. From Christmas trees, wreaths, glittering balls to Santa Claus - name it! Every other Filipino home displays a “Christmassy” item. Even curtains and throw pillows feature the gold, green, and red colors.

Likewise, radio stations make sure Christmas carols are included in the playlist. Shopping centers, too, are not left behind in putting up decorations and playing Jose Mari Chan’s music.

Why so Early Christmas?

I believe culture has something to do with it. Let me explain. Filipinos are family-centric. They make sure to gather together on important family events. And, since 85% of Filipinos are Christians, they consider Christmas as the most important occasion to gather together as a family. Members that move out due to marriage, school, or work see to it to come back home. Parents expect everybody home by December or even before that. So, they create a festive atmosphere as a sign of welcoming their members back. They start the preparation as early as September. It’s because some relatives want to spend a longer time with the family.

But, besides this reason, some Filipinos possess a peculiar trait -and, that is to flaunt! They want to be the first in showing off their new Christmas items to their neighbors. This is especially true if they acquire something unique from abroad. [I know some of my compatriots will react to this, but it’s true.]

It’s relatively easy even for middle-class families to acquire imported goods. Many of us have relatives working as OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers). These relatives send or bring home some tokens or pasalubong for the family. Pasalubong means gifts or souvenir items usually given by one arriving from a trip.

Commercial Opportunity and Materialism at Christmas

This competitive attitude in some Filipinos serves as a window of opportunity for businesses and entrepreneurs to take advantage of. They create a need for everyone. The last quarter of the year is their final chance of raking huge profits. They capitalize on the season as the “time of giving”. Therefore, the cycle of “must-have” rolls to an endless destination.

On the other hand, you cannot put all the blame on the businessmen completely. Consumers are also trapped in the snare of materialism. People are partly to blame in the extended Christmas season because of their attitude to flaunt. The pride of acquiring the most beautiful and more than what others possess seems like an achievement for them. Sad, but in the Philippines, Christmas is now a highly commercialized event. It seems like a new religion where Santa Claus replaces Jesus at the core of Christmas.

The COVID-19 Effect

But things change now. Obviously, the COVID-19 pandemic causes many Filipinos (just as it does on the rest of humanity) to cut down on Christmas expenses. It’s already October and you’ll see only a handful of houses adorned. I hear some people wondering if there will ever be Christmas this year.

Of course, there is! Christmas is never about commerce! It’s about Jesus, the Redeemer. It doesn’t matter if you decorated your homes well. As long as you know what it stands for, you’re celebrating the real Christmas!