The Philippine National Anthem embodies everything that is Filipino. It epitomizes the spirit of the Filipino people, their hopes, dreams, ideals, and their love and affection for their country — the Philippines. 

Learning the words of Lupang Hinirang (Chosen Land) isn’t only about memorizing the song so that you’re not left out when everyone is singing it during appropriate occasions. Learning the Philippine National Anthem is also learning about and loving the rich history of the Philippines and appreciating the struggles of its people in the past. 

This guide features the Philippine National Anthem, its history, its words, and its significance to the Filipino people and even to those who wish to learn the Filipino language and the Philippine culture.

Table of Contents

1. The Words to the Anthem
2. A Little Bit of History
3. How to Sing the Philippine National Anthem
4. Interesting Facts about the Philippine National Anthem
5. How FilipinoPod101 Can Help

1. The Words to the Anthem

Throughout the history of the Philippines, official status has been given to three versions of the anthem, which are Spanish, English, and Filipino. However, only the Filipino version is currently recognized by law. 

According to the Flag and Heraldic code, which was approved in 1998, the only language that can be used to sing the Philippine National Anthem is Filipino, and violation of this law is punishable by a fine or even imprisonment. Can you sing the Spanish and English versions of Lupang Hinirang? Of course, you can, but not in public and not for official reasons. 

Below are the lyrics to the Philippine National Anthem and beside each line is a literal translation of the words.

Filipino

Literal English Translation

Bayang magiliw  Perlas ng Silanganan Alab ng puso Sa dibdib mo’y buhay Lupang hinirang Duyan ka ng magiting Sa manlulupig Di ka pasisiil Sa dagat at bundok Sa simoy at sa langit mong bughaw May dilag ang tula At awit sa paglayang minamahal Ang kislap ng watawat mo’y Tagumpay na nagniningning Ang bituin at araw niya Kailan pa ma’y di magdidilim Lupa ng araw ng luwalhati’t pagsinta Buhay ay langit sa piling mo. Aming ligaya Na pag may mang-aapi Ang mamatay nang dahil sa iyo

Loving country The Pearl of the Orient The flame of the heart In your heart is alive Chosen land You are the cradle of the brave By the invaders, You won’t allow yourself to be oppressed The seas and mountains The breeze and your azure skies The poem is splendid Also is the song of the freedom that you adore The sparkle in your flag Is shining triumphantly And its star and sun Will never grow dim  Land of the sun  of glory and passion Life is heaven in your arms Our joy  when someone comes to oppress you Is to die because of you

Spanish Version

English Translation from Spanish

Tierra adorada, Hija del sol de Oriente, Su fuego ardiente En ti latiendo está. Tierra de amores, Del heroísmo cuna, Los invasores, No te hollarán jamás. En tu azul cielo, en tus auras, En tus montes y en tu mar, Esplende y late el poema De tu amada libertad. Tu pabellón, que en las lides, La victoria iluminó, No verá nunca apagados Sus estrellas y su sol. Tierra de dichas, de sol y amores, En tu regazo dulce es vivir. Es una gloria para tus hijos, Cuando te ofenden, por ti morir.

Land of the morning, Child of the sun returning, With fervor burning Thee do our souls adore. Land dear and holy, Cradle of noble heroes, Ne’er shall invaders Trample thy sacred shores. Ever within thy skies and through thy clouds, And o’er thy hills and seas, Do we behold the radiance, feel the throb Of glorious liberty. Thy banner dear to all our hearts, Its sun and stars alight, Oh, never shall its shining fields Be dimmed by tyrant’s might! Beautiful land of love, o land of light, In thine embrace ’tis rapture to lie, But it is glory ever, when thou art wronged, For us, thy sons to suffer and die.

You can also check out this video of the Philippine National Anthem produced by one of the country’s leading broadcasting networks in 2013.

Duyan ka ng magiting. (You are the cradle of the brave.”)

➜ We can’t discuss the Philippine national anthem without talking about the well-known Filipino historical figures who made a huge impact on the revolution. This lesson will introduce you to them.

2. A Little Bit of History

Like many other national anthems, Lupang Hinirang was a product of a revolution. It was born as a response to the needs of the 1898 revolution against the Spanish colonizers.

In a desire to rally the Filipino people against the oppressors, then-president Emilio Aguinaldo commissioned pianist and composer Julian Felipe, a fellow Caviteño, to create a revolutionary march.

The musical piece was then entitled Marcha Filipina-Magdalo, which translates to “The Philippine-Magdalo March,” with Magdalo referring to the Magdalo chapter of the Katipunan in Cavite. It is said that the march was based on Marcha Real, Spain’s national anthem, and Le Marseillaise, the national anthem of France.

The anthem went through several changes over the decades. The title of the march was later changed to Marcha Nacional Filipina or “Philippine National March” in 1938.

A call to translate the lyrics to the national language was made two years later, and while several versions were created in the years to follow, it was Lupang Hinirang written by Felipe Padilla de León that was eventually recognized as the lyrics to the country’s national anthem in 1958.

“Lupang Hinirang was a product of a revolution.”

➜ The history of Lupang Hinirang is one evidence of how strong the Spanish influence is on Philippine culture. This lesson will show you how it affected the Filipino language as a whole.

3. How to Sing the Philippine National Anthem

1- The Place and Time for Playing and Singing Lupang Hinirang

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines, an agency that promotes Philippine history and cultural heritage, prohibits the singing or playing of Lupang Hinirang for mere entertainment or recreation. 

However, Republic Act No. 8491, also known as the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, states that the national anthem can be played during international competitions where the country is the host or has a representative. It also allows the playing of the national anthem during local competitions. 

That said, the Philippine National Anthem is played in the Olympics and other national and international sporting events. 

One of the largest sporting events where it is popularly heard is boxing, featuring the pride of Philippine boxing, Manny Pacquiao. Famous local and international singers who have performed the national anthem in such an event include Sarah Geronimo, Regine Velasquez, Martin Nievera, Arnel Pineda, and Jessica Sanchez.

Meanwhile, here’s an excerpt from section 38 of Republic Act No. 8491 citing a few specifics on when and when not to play the Philippine National Anthem:

The anthem shall not be played and sung for mere recreation, amusement or entertainment purposes except on the following occasions:

a. International competitions where the Philippines is the host or has a representative;
b. Local competitions;
c. During “signing off” and “signing on” of radio broadcasting and television stations;
d. Before the initial and last screening of films or before the opening of theater performances; and
e. Other occasions as may be allowed by the Institute.

In the Philippines, the most common occasion that the anthem is played is during flag ceremonies in schools, government offices, and other establishments, including malls. It’s also a common practice among broadcast stations to play the anthem when signing in and signing off the airwaves. 

And if you have ever watched a live theater performance in the Philippines or watched a film inside a movie house, you have also probably observed the national anthem being played before the initial and last screening of the program.

2- What You Should Do When You Hear Lupang Hinirang

Foreigners are not obliged to sing the Philippine National Anthem when they hear it being played, although they are expected to show respect to the Philippine flag by acknowledging it. That means standing with the rest of the crowd and facing the source of the music and not doing anything that seems to display mockery or contempt. 

If you know how to sing Lupang Hinirang, then that would be a plus. Meanwhile, official Filipino citizens are obliged to sing it with great fervor with their right palm placed over the left side of their chest where the heart is. 

On the other hand, uniformed personnel, including military, police, and security guards should salute the flag according to their regulations.

You are supposed to face the Philippine flag during the playing of Lupang Hinirang, but on some occasions where only the music is played, you should face toward the source of the music as has already been mentioned.

➜ Manners play a huge role in the proper observance of the Philippine National Anthem. Be sure to check out our 3-minute lesson on Filipino manners.

4. Interesting Facts about the Philippine National Anthem

You now know the history of the Philippine National Anthem, how the music was composed and how the words were written. Now, let’s take a look at a few interesting facts about the anthem that you may not be aware of already.

• The lyrics to Lupang Hinirang were originally written as a Spanish poem entitled Filipinas with the alternative title Tierra Adorada. The poem was created by Jose Palma for publishing in the La Independencia newspaper during its first anniversary on September 3, 1899.

• When the Americans arrived in the Philippines, a prohibition under the Flag Act of 1907 was made, banning the use of the composition. The law was rescinded in 1919, which allowed the Commonwealth Act No. 382 to adopt Marcha Nacional Filipina as the country’s national anthem on September 5, 1938.

• In the same year, the government ordered the anthem to be translated to English during the American regime, considering that there were more people now who spoke English than Spanish. The most notable and memorable version that was created was that of Camilio Osias and A.L. Lane. It was called “Land of the Morning.” The translation was eventually made the official lyrics for the Philippine National Anthem.

• During the 1940’s many Filipinos began arguing that the national anthem shouldn’t be sung in “the language of invaders.” This was the time when Filipinos were debating about what the national language of the Philippines should be. As a result, several translations of the hymn into Tagalog were created, the first one being Diwa ng Bayan, which when translated meant “Spirit of the Country.”

Ang mamatay ng dahil sa’yo… (“to die because of you…”)

5. How FilipinoPod101 Can Help

Learning a language only becomes worthwhile when you’re also learning about the history of the country where that language is spoken. In this case, you have learned about one of the most important aspects of Philippine history — the Philippine National Anthem. 

This guide has shown you how Lupang Hinirang came to be, how rich its history is, what laws are associated with it in recent times, and what role it plays in the lives of the Filipino people. The lyrics alone will give you goosebumps. Even if you’re not Filipino by blood, singing it with other Pinoys will give you a sense of pride and patriotism. That’s how powerful Lupang Hinirang is. 

You know what will instill more sense of Filipino pride in you? Mastering the Filipino language. And if there’s one way you can do that, it’s by being a part of the FilipinoPod101 family. Sign up today for a free lifetime account and gain access not only to lessons on Filipino grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, or correct sentence structure but also to lessons about the culture and history of the Philippines.

Want to take your learning to another level? Try MyTeacher, an exclusive feature that offers one-on-one coaching with an actual professional Filipino teacher. What are you waiting for? Join FilipinoPod101 today and enjoy free and exclusive learning resources designed to help you reach fluency faster!

Studying and learning about different cultures helps us understand why certain groups of people see the world the way they do. If you’re studying the Filipino language, it makes sense to gain a deeper understanding of the Filipino culture, as well. Doing so will help you better appreciate every new Filipino word or expression you learn.

The Filipino culture is quite complex, having been influenced by many different cultures. Each value and belief is applied to people’s daily lives, revealing how significant the nation’s history is. Yet despite the impact of other cultures on the character and behavior of Filipinos, it’s interesting to know that there are still many values unique to this group of people. Thus the expression Onli in da Pilipins (“Only in the Philippines”).

Come with me, and together let us discover the values, beliefs, customs, and traditions that make the Filipino people who they are.

Table of Contents

1. Values and Beliefs
2. Philosophy and Religion
3. Family and Work
4. Art
5. Food
6. Traditional Holidays
7. Gain a Deeper Understanding of Filipino Culture with FilipinoPod101

1. Values and Beliefs

Filipino culture and traditions are founded on several shared values and beliefs, a few of which we’ll cover here.

A- Filipino Hospitality

Hospitality is a trademark of the Filipino people, and one can argue that there are no people in the world more hospitable than the Filipinos. Visit the country and you’ll be amazed at how welcoming the people are. What’s amazing is that this trait of kindness toward visitors is not confined to those who can afford to offer welcome gifts in the form of food and entertainment. Even the not-so-rich would be willing to offer their last plate of rice to a stranger visiting their little shack.

B- Regionalism

Filipinos are known for being regionalistic. It’s said that this value was promoted during the Spanish era to keep the Filipinos divided, thus making it easier to manipulate them. Whether this is true or not, it’s clear that Filipinos hold on to this value dearly, claiming that their region is better than others—or even the best in the country. This can be viewed as a negative trait, and true enough, this particular value system has caused a lot of negativity, especially when politics are brought into the picture. But if you look at it from another perspective, it’s simply proof that Filipinos value that which belongs to their fold.

C- Bayanihan

Filipino culture values bayanihan, or the concept of teamwork. It refers to a community of Filipinos coming together for a cause. The term is derived from bayan, which is Tagalog for “country” or “community.” In the past, the term was used to describe the house-moving tradition in rural areas of the Philippines, where a group of about twenty young men would volunteer to carry the house of a certain family to a new location. Most of these houses were made of nipa and other lightweight, indigenous materials. To express their gratitude, the family would prepare food for the volunteers to share. Today, the bayanihan spirit remains alive, which is evident in the way many Filipinos volunteer to help fellowmen who are in need.

Bayanihan

D- Adaptability

One cannot overemphasize the fact that Filipinos are adaptable. They can easily adjust to any culture or situation, which is evidenced by the fact that there is a Filipino community in every major country or city in the world. Send them to a foreign country and they’ll soon be speaking the language fluently. Send them to a place where no Filipino has ever set foot, and soon there will be a Filipino community flourishing. This ability to adapt helps them make do with what little they have and find joy even in the simple things. It’s because of this outstanding trait that Filipinos find it easy to make a mark in the world.

E- Humor

Humor plays a huge role in Filipino culture. I’m not talking about jokes and comedy per se, but the ability of the Filipino people to find joy and humor in even the direst of situations. Yes, Pinoys make jokes all the time⁠—whether among family, friends, or strangers. The jokes could be about anything, too—a new colleague, the family next door, politics. Filipino humor goes beyond those things, though. Even in the midst of a crisis, you can expect Filipinos to find ways to make light of the situation. Whether it’s a typhoon, an earthquake, or even a pandemic, no misadventure can crush the Filipino spirit.

2. Philosophy and Religion

Two of the major Filipino culture characteristics are its strong religious community and its superstitious nature. Let’s briefly look at a few common philosophies and beliefs! 

A- Hiya & Utang na Loob

The Filipino concept of hiya, translated as “shame” or “embarrassment,” has always been seen in a negative light. It’s at the core of another Filipino concept: utang na loob, or indebtedness.

Utang means “debt,” and loob means “inside,” although in this case, it refers to “inner self.” When you owe someone a favor, you feel deep inside that you need to return it someday, one way or another. And that’s where hiya comes in. Only Filipinos who carry this virtue will understand the concept of indebtedness and the importance of returning favors.

But then there is also hiya apart from the sense of indebtedness. It’s a gut feeling that you have when you’re in a certain situation and you know you’ve got what it takes to contribute and make a positive impact:

Nakakahiya naman kung hindi ko iaalay ang aking sarili para sa aking bayan. 
“What a shame it would be if I didn’t offer myself in the service of my country.”

Seen from this perspective, hiya is a virtue, the act of setting aside one’s own desires for the benefit of other people. 

B- Bahala Na Mentality: A Double-Edged Sword

The pre-colonial Filipino mentality of bahala na translates to “it’s up to you” in English. It’s said that it was derived from the expression Bathala na (“It’s up to Bathala“), Bathala being the god the native Filipinos worshipped. For example:

Wala na tayong pambili ng bigas. Bahala na ang Diyos sa atin. 
“We have no money left to buy rice. May God have mercy on us.”

It’s a double-edged sword in the sense that it expresses faith and trust on the one hand, and on the other it expresses mediocrity. Filipinos are creative and hardworking, but many of us sometimes choose to sit and wait for some higher power to solve our problems with us.

C- Filipino Superstitions

Filipinos are arguably the most superstitious people on the planet. They tend to believe things that would seem illogical to people of other cultures. This is not surprising, though, since Filipinos are also very religious. One would think that people would be more rational in this day and age, yet superstitions still play a huge role in the daily lives of the Filipinos:

• Sweeping the floor at night will sweep good fortune out of the household.
• Serving pancit (noodles) during celebrations will promote long life.
• It’s bad luck for siblings to get married in the same year.
• Don’t go home immediately after attending a wake to “shake off” evil spirits.

These are just some of the hundreds or even thousands of superstitions that many Filipinos still hold on to even to this day. There may be downsides to believing in superstitions, but to believers, they help promote and maintain a positive mental attitude.

D- Christianity in the Philippines

The Philippines is dubbed as the only “Christian” nation in Southeast Asia and is ranked as the fifth most Christian country in the world. It’s not because all of its people are Christians, but because 93% are. Filipinos are among the most religious people in the world, which is not surprising considering their strong superstitious nature.

Filipinos are a very religious people.

→ Familiarize yourself with the most common Tagalog words associated with religion.

3. Family and Work

There are a few key Filipino cultural traits related to family and work that will help you better understand the nation as a whole. Let’s take a look.

A- Family Ties

A pillar of Filipino culture, family values tend to promote strong familial ties. The hospitality of the Filipino people is not only seen in how they treat their guests, but also in how they treat their family members. In the Philippines, it’s common for households to be made up of extended family members. This means that families are not only composed of the parents and their children, but also of grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and nephews.

In other cultures, when a person turns eighteen, they are considered an adult and encouraged to live on their own, away from their family. But in Filipino culture, living with parents until the day one gets married is considered the norm. One advantage of this practice is that elderly Filipinos seldom worry about being sent to nursing homes. A huge drawback, though, is the issue of family members meddling in each other’s affairs. For Filipinos, however, the feeling of satisfaction and security that a huge family brings outweighs any disadvantage that may come with having an extended family.

B- Filipino Children as Retirement Plans

This is not something Filipinos should be proud of, but unfortunately, it’s a common mindset of many Filipino parents today that one of the purposes of bearing children is to have someone to take care of them financially when they grow old. This is based on the philosophy of hiya and utang na loob. This wasn’t always the case, though. In the past, Filipino parents would opt to have dozens of children, not primarily as retirement plans, but as assurance that someone would continue the family business when they’re gone.

C- Pride and Modesty at Work

Filipinos, like most Asian people, value the concept of “saving one’s face,” which means they’ll go out of their way to make sure people won’t think bad about them. This is very evident in the workplace, where the Filipino worker would do his best to avoid embarrassing situations and to make sure his reputation is not compromised.  

Filipinos also take pride in their work, but above all else, they value relationships. This is why they prefer work environments that are welcoming and friendly.

→ Expand your vocabulary with this list of important Tagalog words used in the workplace.

D- Crab Mentality

Crab mentality is not unique to the Filipino people, but this kind of mindset has been associated with Pinoys over the past few decades, particularly among communities of Overseas Contract Workers. The concept is derived from the instinct of talangka (“crabs”) to pull their fellows down with their claws while trying to get out of the bucket with which they were caught.

This culture of infighting often prevents Filipinos from achieving unity. You’ll hear unfortunate stories of Filipinos working abroad scamming and betraying their fellows in their desire to stay ahead of them.

E- Sipag at Tiyaga

Despite all the negative values associated with the Filipino worker—such as being tamad (“lazy”) and palaging late (“always late”), or their love of tsismosa (“gossip”)—there is no question that Filipinos are among the most hardworking people in the world. That is because they value sipag at tiyaga (“hard work and perseverance”). They’re also dependable and responsible, traits that can be attributed to their having a sense of filial obligation (the responsibility to take care of people who depend on them).

Filipinos place a huge value on sipag at tiyaga (“hard work and perseverance”).

4. Art

In Filipino culture, art reflects the nation’s diversity. The Malays, Chinese, Indians, Muslims—all these cultures have had a huge influence on Filipino art. 

A- Music & Dance

Music in the Philippines has evolved so much in the last several centuries. Before the Spanish came, Filipino music was limited to folk songs, which reflected the life of rural Filipinos. Many of the traditional Filipino songs also have a strong connection with nature and are often accompanied by gongs and chimes.

Filipino dance has evolved in the same way, beginning with indigenous dances of different ethnic groups and eventually evolving with modern society. The era of the Americans in the Philippines has seen the gradual introduction of more dynamic dances, which the Filipinos incorporated into their own. Before the rise of American and European dances in the country, however, there were the Tinikling (“bamboo dance”), Cariñosa, and Maglalatik, folk dances that continue to show the diverse culture of the Philippines.

→ Here’s a lesson to help you learn Tagalog words and phrases related to music.

B- Visual Arts

The earliest Filipino paintings can be found in pre-Spanish ritual pottery, such as the Manunggul jar, a burial jar excavated from the Tabon Caves in Palawan. Early Filipinos, such as the Pintados (tattooed indigenous Visayan tribes), also manifested their talent in painting through tattoos. In the sixteenth century, artistic paintings were introduced to the country when the Spaniards arrived. A century later, Filipinos started producing paintings in the European tradition using a mixture of landscape, religious, and political inspirations. 

Damian Domingo created various religious paintings, while Juan Luna and Felix Hidalgo were both known for their political art pieces. Fernando Amorsolo, on the other hand, utilized postmodernism in his paintings, which depicted Filipino culture.

Many of Fernando Amorsolo’s sketches are on display at the Philippine National Museum of Fine Arts.

C- Architecture

Before any other culture arrived in the country, Filipino architecture was limited to the bahay kubo (nipa huts) built using indigenous materials like bamboo and coconut. The bahay kubo was gradually replaced by the bahay na bato (stone houses) when the Europeans came. Only the nobles could afford this more expensive architecture, though, and the peasants remained in their nipa huts.

Today, most of the historic structures you’ll see in the country have not only Spanish influences, but also Austronesian, Chinese, and American influences. Looking at the architecture of old and new Catholic churches in the country, however, it’s clear how much influence the Spaniards have had in Filipino architecture.

5. Food

Filipino culture and food go hand in hand. Food culture in the Philippines has been heavily influenced by Westerners, but Filipinos have still been able to preserve important culinary traditions.

Eating Like a True Filipino

The typical Filipino eats five times a day. There’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and snacks referred to as merienda, eaten in-between the three main meals. Rice is the main ingredient in any Filipino meal. And unlike in Western cultures, the courses—kanin (“rice”), ulam (meat or seafood eaten with rice), and sawsawan (“dip”)—are served simultaneously.

The Filipinos have adopted the Western way of eating, that is, with spoons, forks, and knives. Still, the Filipinos have never forgotten the practice of eating with their hands. This practice is often associated with poor families who can’t afford to buy utensils, but the truth is, all Filipinos whether rich or poor understand that nothing is more appetizing than eating with your bare hands.

In the Philippines, rice makes the world go round. No. In the Philippines, rice is life.

6. Traditional Holidays

The Philippines is heavily influenced by Roman Catholic traditions, with 86% of its people belonging to the said religion. There are holidays based on major events and celebrations that are non-religious in nature, but most of the holidays in the country are related to religion. The Ati-atihan, Dinagyang, and Sinulog festivals, for instance, are all celebrated in honor of the Santo Niño, a Spanish term Roman Catholics use to refer to the Christ Child.

A-  Ati-Atihan

The Ati-atihan is held every January and is observed in several towns in Aklan, Panay. The term means “to imitate the Ati,” with Ati referring to the local name of the Aeta people who are believed to have been the first settlers on the island. The festival was given a Christian meaning later on, with the people incorporating the Santo Niño into the festivities. During the main day of the festival, dance groups wearing body paint and colorful costumes march on the streets, dancing to music produced by marching bands. Ati-atihan is referred to as “The Mother of All Festivals” in the Philippines, having influenced other festivals in the country (including Dinagyang and Sinulog).

B- Dinagyang

If Ati-atihan is the Mother of All Festivals, Dinagyang is “The Queen of All Festivals.” That’s because even if it was only inspired by the Ati-atihan festival, it has become more successful in building a reputation for itself as a tourist attraction. Perhaps it’s because the festival is held in Iloilo City, the most urbanized city on the island of Panay. During the week of the festival, over 200,000 tourists—including local celebrities and politicians—visit the city. 

Just like Ati-atihan, Dinagyang is celebrated every January, particularly during the fourth Sunday of the month. The three-day affair consists of religious processions, too, but its highlights are the street dance competition and the food festival.

C- Sinulog

Sinulog is another major festival held in honor of the Santo Niño, this time in Cebu. Just like the Ati-atihan and Dinagyang, it’s celebrated every January and attracts up to two million people from over the country. The religious aspect is to be expected of the festival, but aside from that, what makes this a much-celebrated event are the street parties and the Sinulog dance competition.

D- Masskara

The Masskara festival is a major festival held every October in Bacolod City. The term is a pun on the word maskara, which is Filipino for “mask.” It’s also a blending of the English word “mass,” referring to a large group of people, and the Spanish cara, which means “face.” The government started the festival in 1980 to encourage its people during a time of economic crisis. Today, the Mardi Gras-like festival is one of the most popular festivals in the Philippines, with its street dances, live music, and food fests witnessed by thousands of locals and tourists.

E- Panagbenga Flower Festival

The Panagbenga Flower Festival is held every February in Baguio City. It was started as a tribute to the flowers of the city, as well as a way to encourage the people to rise up from the tragedy of the devastating Luzon earthquake in 1990. The term Panagbenga is of Kankanaey origin, and means “A time of blossoming” or “A season of blooming.” The Panagbenga Flower Festival is a month-long festival celebrated with colorful costumes, native dancing, and parades.

F- Lenten Season

The Lenten Season is the most significant religious observance in the country. It starts on Ash Wednesday, which is forty days before Easter Sunday. It’s on this day that you’ll see Catholics returning from church with their foreheads marked with a cross made of ash. The highlight of the season is the Holy Week, referred to as Semana Santa, which begins on Palm Sunday and culminates on Easter Sunday. 

The highlight of the week is Good Friday, which is a solemn day that both Catholics and Protestants consider to be a day of much prayer and fasting. Superstitious Catholics, in particular, believe that Jesus Christ is actually dead during this time of the year and warn people against getting hurt. Any wounds acquired during Good Friday, according to them, will never heal. Some say you will have to wait until the next Holy Week for it to heal.

G- Christmas Season

The Christmas season in the Philippines officially starts on December 16, the first day of Simbang Gabi, a nine-day series of masses occurring as early as three o’clock in the morning. For most Filipinos, however, Christmas unofficially starts on the first day of September (the first month on the calendar that ends in –ber), and ends on January 6 (the day of the feast of the Three Kings, otherwise known as the Epiphany). 

Starting September 1, you’ll see many houses decorated with Christmas lights, Christmas wreaths, and what is known as the Christmas Parol, a star-shaped lantern. During the week of the Simbang Gabi, Catholic churchgoers can be seen flocking to the churches at dawn. It’s also during this time that the famous Puto Bumbong (purple rice cake steamed in small bamboo tubes) will start being sold outside of churches.

In the Philippines, Noche Buena is the most exciting part of Christmas. It’s Spanish for “Good night,” but in the Philippines, it’s the night before Christmas. This is a time when family members gather and share a meal after hearing the midnight Mass.

→ Check out our list of must-know Christmas Day vocabulary!

H- Feast of the Black Nazarene

The Feast of the Black Nazarene is the ultimate symbol of religiosity in the Philippines. Every year on January 9, millions of devout followers of the Poong Itim na Nazareno (Almighty Black Nazarene) gather in the streets of Manila to join in the procession of a life-size black Jesus statue carrying the cross. The procession usually starts at Rizal Park and ends at the minor basilica in Quiapo. Few religious celebrations worldwide can match the Feast of the Black Nazarene, with millions of devotees doing all they can to get a hold of the statue, believing that it can perform miracles, such as granting petitions and healing terminal diseases.

Traditional Filipino festivals, such as Dinagyang, Sinulog, and Masskara are celebrated in Mardi Gras fashion.

7. Gain a Deeper Understanding of Filipino Culture with FilipinoPod101

We’ve only touched the tip of the iceberg with this Filipino culture overview. There’s still a lot more you can learn about how Filipinos think about and perceive the world, and one good place you can start is FilipinoPod101.com.

FilipinoPod101 is one of the best places to learn the Tagalog language online, and in addition to our free resources and our grammar lessons, we also offer all you need to better understand and appreciate Filipino culture.

Sign up today and enjoy a number of exclusive learning materials, including our Premium PLUS MyTeacher feature where you can have one-on-one interactions with your personal Filipino teacher. He or she will provide you with ongoing guidance and assessment as you continue enhancing your Filipino skills.

That’s all for this post! Don’t think twice about dropping a comment below should you have any questions about what we’ve shared here or if you have any additional insights!

The Philippines has a huge Christian population (with 92.5% of Filipinos identifying as Christian, around 80% of which are Roman Catholic), so it should come as no surprise that religious festivities hold great meaning here. Of particular interest is a massive holiday commonly known as the Feast of the Black Nazarene. 

In this article, you will discover the Feast of the Black Nazarene’s origins as well as how devoted Filipinos celebrate the holiday today. 

Let’s get started!

1. What is the Feast of the Black Nazarene?

Each year on January 9, millions of mga deboto (devotees) celebrate the Feast of the Black Nazarene. This is a major religious holiday in the Philippines, drawing massive crowds and much speculation. 

The Black Nazarene is a life-size statue depicting a dark-skinned Jesus bearing the cross. According to the Black Nazarene story, this statue was created by an anonymous Mexican sculptor and brought to the Philippines in 1606. While no one is certain why or how the Black Nazarene statue is so dark in color, some speculate that the statue was exposed to fire during its relocation to the Philippines. Others say that the statue is likely made of Mesquite, a type of wood known for its black color. 

The Feast of the Black Nazarene in the Philippines commemorates the date that the statue was enshrined in the Black Nazarene Church (Quiapo) in 1787. Prior to this, the statue was housed in a variety of other churches, so this permanent enshrinement was a significant moment for the Filipino people. The event is referred to as the Traslación (or Transfer).

In addition to commemorating the Traslación, this holiday is also seen as a time to pay paggalang (homage) to Jesus’s suffering.

→ To learn the names of different religions in Filipino, head over to our Religion vocabulary list!

2. Feast of the Black Nazarene Traditions

Celebrations for the Feast of the Black Nazarene really begin the night before, on January 8. This is when devotees gather together in Rizal Park to see and touch the statue, which is placed on a grandstand in the park. People also bring along their own statues of the Black Nazarene. Throughout the night, Filipinos celebrate and prepare for the following day with sermons, songs, and other festive activities. 

To show their debosyon (devotion), millions of Filipinos engage in the Nazareno parade. This prusisyon (procession) begins in Rizal Park following a mass. The statue is placed on a carriage, accompanied by several men who support and protect it—these men are known as the Sons of the Nazarene, and they wear yellow or white shirts.

To show pagpapakumbaba (humility) and their resonance with Jesus’s suffering, many Filipinos take part in this procession nakapaa (barefoot). Huge crowds follow the procession for several hours—normally just short of a full day—in order to show their devotion to Jesus. Many of those marching also try to touch the statue. 

Many of the faithful believe that the statue can perform miracles of healing, with some people reporting having been cured of disease or illness after touching the statue. Those who cannot get close enough to touch the statue themselves will often throw a panyo (handkerchief) toward the Sons of the Nazarene, who then wipe the handkerchief on the statue and toss it back. This is because the miraculous healing power is thought to be transferable to the cloth. 

In addition to those walking in the procession, there are millions of people gathered along the edge of the route to see their loved ones walking and to get a glimpse of the statue. Everyone shouts the words “Viva Señor!” during the procession to show adoration for the Nazarene.

The Feast of the Black Nazarene procession ends in Quiapo, at the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene. 

3. Holiday Confusion!

Many people assume that the Feast of the Black Nazarene is the Quiapo Church’s annual feast day. However, this is not the case—the Feast of the Black Nazarene only celebrates and reenacts the Traslación.

Rather, the feast day people are thinking of takes place on June 24. This is St. John’s Day, held in commemoration of St. John’s birthday. Filipinos celebrate this day by ‘baptizing’ each other and covering themselves in mud and dried banana leaves. Their ‘baptism’ consists of throwing or drizzling water on each other in a sort of game, though this event is known to get out of hand with people damaging others’ property. 

→ Want to explore even more holidays? See our lesson on the Top 5 Most Important Dates on the Filipino Calendar!

4. Essential Vocabulary for the Feast of the Black Nazarene

Now let’s review some of the vocabulary words from this article, plus a few more! 

• Quiapo (Quiapo Church) – proper noun
• Deboto (Devotee) – noun
• Prusisyon (Procession) – noun
• Nazareno (Nazarene) – noun
• Panata (Vow) – noun
• Nakapaa (Barefoot) – adjective
• Pagpapakumbaba (Humility) – noun
• Magsisi (Repent) – verb
• Panyo (Handkerchief) – noun
• Debosyon (Devotion) – noun
• Paggalang (Homage) – noun
• Mirakulo (Miracle) – noun

If you head over to our Feast of the Black Nazarene vocabulary list, you can also hear the pronunciation of each word to practice along with. 

Final Thoughts

The Feast Day of the Black Nazarene is one of the most important dates in the Philippines, especially among faithful Catholics. In learning about this holiday, you’ve taken a step toward better understanding Filipino culture and immersing yourself in the language. We hope you enjoyed this lesson, and that you feel inspired to continue your Filipino studies! To learn about more Filipino holidays, you can check out the following blog posts on FilipinoPod101.com:

• How to Celebrate the Filipino-Chinese New Year
• Celebrating the Day of Valor in the Philippines
• Eidul Adha in the Philippines – Sacrifice and Charity
• Buwan ng Wika: Celebrating Filipino Language Month
• Araw ng Jose Rizal: Rizal Day in the Philippines

For even more useful content on the Filipino language and culture, create your free lifetime account with us today. We provide practical lessons and other learning materials for learners at every level, so you can jump right in wherever you are on your language learning journey! 

Before you go, let us know in the comments if you celebrate a similar holiday in your country. If not, would you ever want to visit the Philippines to witness the Feast of the Black Nazarene yourself? We look forward to hearing from you.

Happy learning!

In every nation and at every point in history, there are certain names, faces, and stories that stand out from the rest. There are writers, artists, activists, and leaders whom nations herald and commemorate for years and for centuries. And there are true national heroes like the Philippines’s own Jose Rizal.

Today, we’ll talk about the Rizal Day holiday and the events it commemorates. 

Let’s get started.

1. What is Rizal Day?

Observed each year on December 30, Rizal Day is a national holiday in the Philippines. It marks the date in 1896 that Jose Rizal, pambansang bayani (“national hero”) of the Philippines, was executed. 

History

For centuries, the Spanish colonized the Philippines and abused their power over the native inhabitants. This abuse began in 1521, when Ferdinand Magellan arrived in the Philippines and claimed the territory for Spain. While many Filipinos over the years had wanted kalayaan (“freedom”) from Spain, any attempted dissent proved futile.

In 1861, Jose Rizal was born and would grow up to become the country’s national hero and a martyr. 

Though Rizal worked as a doctor, he is most remembered for his makabayan (“patriotic”) works as a novelist. His two great works were titled Noli Me Tangere (“Touch Me Not”) and El Filibusterismo (“The Reign of Greed”), both of which shed light on the negative impact of the Spanish rule over the Philippines. These two novels were Rizal’s way of expressing his—and the nation’s—desire for mapayapang reporma (“peaceful reform”), though he wrote them while away in Europe. Experts believe that his novels spurred the Filipino population to act out against the Spanish government and eventually gain their freedom.

In 1892, Rizal returned to his home country and continued to fight with them toward freedom and pantay na karapatan (“equal rights”). In all this, he was never directly involved in violence or warfare. His continued dissidence led to him being exiled to Dapitan, Mindanao for three years. He eventually made his way to Cuba, where he was wrongly arrested for suspicion that he was involved in a nationalistic revolt. Rizal was convicted of the crime and his penalty was death by firing squad. He was shot to his death on December 30, 1896.

The influence of Rizal on the present-day Philippines cannot be overstated. He played a major role in leading the nation to freedom, equal rights, and dignidad (“dignity”). Most importantly, his patriotic work inspired Filipinos and gave them pag-asa (“hope”) of a better future. These are things which Filipinos today continue to enjoy; they will never forget Rizal’s name.

The very first Rizal Day observations began in 1898, when the first President of the Philippines (Emilio Aguinaldo) declared December 30 a day of national mourning. This was done to encourage commemoration of Rizal and of all Filipinos who perished under the Spanish colonial rule. 

→ Curious to learn more? Then go through our lesson on the Top 5 Things You Need to Know About Filipino Society! 

2. Rizal Day Celebrations and Traditions

Rizal Day in the Philippines is a national holiday. This means that most people get the day off of work, and those who do have to work will receive double their usual wages. The day also happens to fall near the end of Christmas Break for many schools, so students and teachers are free to participate in the observations.

The largest ceremony for Rizal Day is held in Rizal Park, the park in which Rizal was shot to death. The President and Vice President of the Philippines lead these ceremonies, which involve a twenty-one gun salute and laying a wreath at the Rizal Monument. The flag is also raised and the Philippine Air Force flies overhead. The President may give a speech discussing the events of the past year and looking forward to plans for the future. Throughout the Philippines, Rizal Day is also celebrated on a smaller scale in each province, led by government officials.

Flags must be flown at half-mast on this day, and certain activities are banned. These include: cockfighting, horse racing, and jai-alai (a Basque-inspired sport similar to racquetball).

A History of Rizal Day Observations

Over the years, there have been a few Rizal Day celebrations that warrant particular recognition:

• 1937: President Manuel L. Quezon made Tagalog the official language of the Philippines.
• 1942: Rizal’s final poem, titled Mi último adiós, was recited in Japanese and KALIBAPI was inaugurated. 
• 1996: To mark the 100-year anniversary of Rizal’s murder, his final steps were retraced and his death was reenacted.
• 2000: A terrorist bombing killed 22 people and injured 100 more.

Also note that from 1936 to 1973, Rizal Day also served as the President’s inauguration day. In 1973, the inauguration date was moved to June 30. 

→ Learn about the Top 5 Most Important Dates on the Filipino Calendar and gain some more cultural perspective. 

3. Rizal Park

Rizal Park (also called Luneta Park) is where Jose Rizal was shot to his death and where the main commemorative event takes place each year. Within the park lie the Rizal Monument and the life-size diorama of his final moments, as well as museums and gardens. 

This is a major tourist destination and a popular site for native Filipinos as well. If you plan on visiting Manila, don’t forget to walk through Rizal Park!

→ Need more inspiration while you plan your trip? See our vocabulary list of the top Philippines Tourist Attractions!

4. Essential Filipino Vocabulary for Rizal Day

Let’s review some of the key vocabulary words from this article so you can start discussing Rizal Day in Tagalog! 

• Noli Me Tangere – “Touch Me Not”
• El Filibusterismo – “The Reign of Greed”
• Kalayaan – “Freedom” [n]
• Makabayan – “Patriotic” [adj]
• Araw ni Jose Rizal – “Jose Rizal’s Day”
• Pambansang bayani – “National hero” 
• Pantay na karapatan – “Equal rights” [n]
• Pag-asa – “Hope” [n]
• Mapayapang reporma – “Peaceful reform” [n]
• Dignidad – “Dignity” [n]

Remember that you can find each of these words, along with their pronunciation, on our Rizal Day vocabulary list!

Final Thoughts

Rizal Day in the Philippines is a time of solemn commemoration and reflection on the events of the past, as well as a day to appreciate the nation’s freedom. Most of all, it seeks to honor Rizal for his major role in setting the country on its path to a better future.

Who are some prominent national heroes of your country? Do you have a special day to celebrate them? Let us know in the comments! 

To continue exploring the rich Filipino culture and language, you can read these articles from FilipinoPod101.com:

• How to Celebrate the Filipino-Chinese New Year
• Celebrating the Day of Valor in the Philippines
• Buwan ng Wika: Celebrating Filipino Language Month
• Eidul Adha in the Philippines: Sacrifice and Charity
• Essential Vocabulary for Life Events in Filipino

This is just a small sample of everything FilipinoPod101 has to offer! From themed vocabulary lists to fun audio and video lessons, we provide tons of learning resources for aspiring Filipino learners. Create your free lifetime account today and see what we’re all about! You’ll be speaking Filipino in minutes and fluent before you know it. 

Happy learning!

The Day of Valor holiday in the Philippines, called Araw ng Kagitingan in Filipino, is a day of both celebration and mourning. On the one hand, it honors the courage of Filipino soldiers in World War 2, and on the other, it commemorates those who lost their lives in the Bataan Death March.

In this article, you’ll learn about the history behind the Day of Valor, look at how Pinoys mark this day, and gain some relevant Filipino vocabulary.

Let’s get started!

1. What is Day of Valor in the Philippines?

In the Philippines, the Day of Valor is a public holiday for honoring the bravery, or katapangan, of Filipino and American soldiers during the Second World War. In particular, it commemorates one of the most horrendous things to happen in the Philippines in World War 2: The Bataan Death March.

What was the Bataan Death March?

Leading up to the Bataan Death March, the Japanese had been able to occupy the Philippines. At the time, many of the Filipino and American soldiers were injured or ill, and so the American Major General Edward P. King decided to sumuko, or surrender, his forces. This took place on April 9, 1942.

Upon this surrender, the Japanese began marching King’s soldiers toward Camp O’Donnell, which was approximately ninety miles away in San Fernando. Many soldiers died during this march.

But all was not lost.

King’s surrender and the subsequent march acted as a diversion, allowing the Filipino and American soldiers’ allies more time to get ready for future battles. In the end, this allowed for major victories and turning points for the Filipinos and Americans, such as the Battle of Midway.

In 1945, the Bataan peninsula was once again liberated by the Filipino and American troops.

→ Check out our vocabulary list for another popular Filipino hero: Jose Rizal.

2. When is the Day of Valor Holiday?

Each year, the Day of Valor is celebrated on April 9. However, if Easter happens to fall on the same date, they may celebrate on a nearby date instead.

→ Do you know the Top 5 Most Important Dates on the Filipino Calendar?

3. Traditions and Celebrations for the Day of Valor

The Day of Valor holiday revolves around honoring and celebrating the pagkabayani, or heroism, of the World War 2 soldiers, and mourns the loss of those who died.

On the Day of Valor, Philippines’ veterans from the Second World War parade through the streets of various cities, and the President gives a speech at the Mt. Samat Shrine. This shrine is located in the Bataan province in order to commemorate those who gave their all in digmaan, or war.

While most businesses are closed during the Day of Valor, you may find a few places still open. Because the Day of Valor is usually part of a long weekend, many Filipino families like to spend time together, usually out doing things.

4. Day of Valor Over the Years

Filipinos officially started celebrating the Day of Valor in 1961, but this holiday has had quite a few revisions since then. Perhaps most notably, its name has changed three times!

In 1961, this holiday was called Bataan Day. In 1987, this changed to Araw ng Kagitingan (Bataan and Corregidor Day). Finally, in 2010, it came to be called only Araw ng Kagitingan.

In the U.S. state of Illinois, there’s also a celebration for this holiday (called Bataan Day here). This is because some of the troops serving in the Bataan province were from the Illinois National Guard.

→ To learn some vocabulary related to honoring veterans, study our Veterans’ Day in the United States vocabulary list!

5. Essential Filipino Vocabulary for the Day of Valor

Ready to review some of the vocabulary words from this article? Here’s a list of the most important vocabulary for the Day of Valor in the Philippines!

• Martsa ng Kamatayan — “Death march”
• Katapangan — “Bravery”
• Digmaan — “War”
• Pagbagsak ng Bataan — “Fall of Bataan”
• Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig — “Second World War”
• Sumuko — “Surrender”
• Magiting — “Valiant”
• Depensahan — “Defend”
• Pagkabayani — “Heroism”
• Ipaglaban ang — “Fight for”
• Pagkubkob — “Siege”
• Puwersang militar — “Military force”

To hear the pronunciation of each word, and to read them alongside relevant images, be sure to check out our Filipino Day of Valor vocabulary list!

Final Thoughts

We hope you enjoyed learning about the Day of Valor holiday with us, and that you took away some valuable cultural information.

Is there a holiday in your country to honor national heroes or the military? Let us know about it in the comments!

If you want to learn even more about Filipino culture, visit the following pages on FilipinoPod101.com:

• The Bonifacio Day in the Philippines
• How to Celebrate the Filipino-Chinese New Year
• Popular Home-Cooked Meals
• FilipinoPod101’s Essential Filipino Travel Phrase Guide
• Internet Slang Words in Filipino That Pinoy Millenials Use

Still want more? Create your free lifetime account today, and start learning with us. FilipinoPod101.com has tons of fun lessons for learners at every level, so there’s something for everyone.

We look forward to having you!

Considering the history between China and the Philippines, it should come as no surprise that the popular Chinese New Year holiday would find a place among the Filipinos. The Filipino Chinese New Year traditions reflect traditional Chinese culture with a modern Filipino flare.

In this article, you’ll learn all about the Philippines during Chinese New Year, the most popular Chinese New Year foods, and some of the history involved in the integration of this holiday into Filipino culture.

At FilipinoPod101.com, it’s our aim to make every aspect of your language-learning journey both fun and informative, starting with this article! Ready to delve into this fascinating holiday? Let’s get started.

1. What is the Chinese New Year?

Because of the large number of Chinese people living in the country, the Chinese New Year was declared an official holiday in 2011. Looking back at history, the Filipinos had been trading with the Chinese even before the arrival of the Spanish.

The Spanish placed the Chinese in an area in Manila called Binondo. Commerce is very lively in Binondo, where Chinese and Chinese-Filipinos own a lot of businesses. It’s also the center of festivities during the Chinese New Year, and the oldest Chinatown in the world, established in 1594. Binondo means binondoc or binundok, translating to “mountainous” in English, referring to the hilly area of Binondo.

The Philippines’ Lunar New Year celebration is led by the Chinese and Filipino-Chinese living in the country. It’s celebrated because of the unique festivities, food, and beliefs that accompany this tradition. In the Filipino language, the Chinese New Year could be called a katangi-tanging selebrasyon, or “one-of-a-kind celebration!”

2. Chinese New Year Dates

The Chinese New Year follows the lunar calendar, meaning that its date on the Gregorian calendar varies from year to year. For your convenience, here’s a list of this holiday’s date for the next ten years.

• 2020: January 25
• 2021: February 12
• 2022: February 1
• 2023: January 22
• 2024: February 10
• 2025: January 29
• 2026: February 17
• 2027: February 6
• 2028: January 26
• 2029: February 13

3. Lunar New Year Celebrations in the Philippines

In the Philippines, Chinese New Year traditions always include lots of good food, and even people who don’t celebrate the holiday look forward to the dishes they can expect during the festivities. The most popular of these Filipino Chinese New Year foods is the “Chinese New Year’s cake,” made of glutinous rice, called the tikoy in Filipino. A variety of types and flavors that suit both Filipino and Chinese tastes have become popular, including pandan and ube (purple yam). The tikoy symbolizes how family members stay bonded together. Because the tikoy is sticky, it’s said that having this every Chinese New Year will make a family’s bonds “stickier.”

Red is considered the luckiest color, and a lot of people wear red on this day. Older people give money-filled “red envelopes,” called ang pao, to children.

Each year, the Chinese and Chinese-Filipinos take part in or watch the dragon dance, lion dance, and paputok, or “fireworks.” It’s said that the lion and dragon dances will bring good luck to one’s business or family. People also believe that a longer dragon will bring more good luck.

4. Common New Year Greetings

There are two main holiday greetings that Pinoys say to each other on the Chinese New Year. Do you know what they are?

The first and most common is the Cantonese greeting Kung Hei Fat Choi, meaning “Happy New Year.” The second is Kiong Hee Huat Tsai, which means “Congratulations” and “Be prosperous.”

5. Must-Know Vocabulary

Ready to review some of the vocabulary words we covered in this article? Here are the essential vocabulary words you should know for the Chinese New Year in the Philippines!

• Hopia — “Bakpia“
• Siomai — “Shumai“
• Kung Hei Fat Choi — “Happy New Year”
• Lumpia — “Lumpia”
• Paputok — “Firework”
• Dragon dance — “Dragon dance”
• Ang pao — “Red envelope”
• Pancit — “Pancit”
• Tikoy — “Chinese New Year’s cake”
• Lunar New Year — “Lunar New Year”

To hear each of these vocabulary words pronounced, and to read them alongside relevant images, be sure to check out our Filipino Lunar New Year vocabulary list!

Final Thoughts

We hope you enjoyed learning about the Filipino Lunar New Year with us! How do you celebrate the new year in your country? Let us know in the comments!

If you’re interested in learning even more about Filipino culture and the language, you may find the following pages useful:

• Top 5 Things You Need to Know About Filipino Society
• The Bonifacio Day Anniversary in the Philippines
• Tourist Attractions in the Philippines
• What’s Your Favorite Filipino Food?
• Essential Idioms that Will Make You Sound Like a Native Speaker

Learning Filipino doesn’t need to be boring or overwhelming—with FilipinoPod101.com, it can even be fun! With countless lessons for beginners, intermediate learners, and advanced students, there’s something for everyone.

If you’re serious about mastering the language, create your free lifetime account today.

Happy Filipino learning! 🙂

On Bonifacio Day, Philippines citizens remember the life of Andrés Bonifacio, one of the country’s most important figures. Bonifacio is credited as a significant player in the eventual gaining of the Philippines’ republic status and freedom from Spanish colonial rule.

In this article, you’ll learn a little about Bonifacio’s role in history, and how Filipinos observe this holiday today.

At FilipinoPod101.com, we make learning fun and effective! Let’s get started.

1. What is Bonifacio Day?

On Bonifacio Day, Filipinos commemorate the life of Andrés Bonifacio and remember his significant role in helping the Philippines attain its status as a republic.

Specifically, Bonifacio is known for being the founder of the Katipunan. This organization ran in secret, with goals directly related to the end of Spanish colonial rule and the eventual gaining of republic status for the Philippines. In 1896, four years after Bonifacio founded the Katipunan, the Spanish uncovered this secret. This discovery led to the beginning of the Phillipine Revolution.

Due to political rivalries and upset within the Katipunan itself, Bonifacio eventually left the organization after failing to be voted its president. Bonifacio believed the results were fixed and chose to become a rebel leader elsewhere.

The end of his life neared when Aguinaldo—the man who won the Katipunan vote for president—captured and tried him. Bonifacio was put to death in 1897.

Many Filipinos believe that Bonifacio should be recognized as the Philippine Republic’s first president.

2. Bonifacio Day Date

Each year, Filipinos celebrate Bonifacio Day on November 30, the date of Andrés Bonifacio’s birthday. They don’t commemorate him on the day of his death, because of the circumstances surrounding it.

3. How is Bonifacio Day Celebrated?

Bonifacio Day celebrations vary from region to region. For the majority of Filipinos, the Bonifacio Day holiday means a day off from work or school.

Some people choose to use this time to visit monuments or sites dedicated to Bonifacio. Others, however, take a day off to relax and indulge in enjoyable activities.

More Bonifacio Day activities include parades and concerts—don’t be surprised to hear a Bonifacio Day speech, either!

4. Association with José Rizal

Near the start of Bonifacio’s engagement in political activities, he served as a co-founder of La Liga Filipina, along with José Rizal, another monumental figure in Filipino history. The La Liga Filipina essentially strove to challenge the Spanish colonial rule, and to request reforms in how the Spanish governed the Philippines.

After the arrest and deportation of Rizal, Bonifacio eventually took lead of the La Liga Filipina. Further, Rizal’s arrest sparked Bonifacio’s founding of the Katipunan in 1892.

5. Essential Filipino Vocabulary for Bonifacio Day

Here’s some vocabulary you should know for Bonifacio Day in the Philippines!

• Manggagawa — “Worker”
• Lungsod ng Kalookan — “Caloocan”
• Andres Bonifacio — “Andres Bonifacio”
• Kalayaan — “Freedom”
• Kilusan — “Movement”
• Kagitingan — “Valor”
• Katipunan — “Assembly”
• Katapangan — “Bravery”
• Kasarinlan — “Independence”
• Rebolusyon — “Revolution”
• Inang Bayan — “Motherland”

To hear each of these vocabulary words pronounced, and to read them alongside relevant images for enhanced learning, be sure to visit our Filipino Bonifacio Day word list!

Final Thoughts

As you can see, Andrés Bonifacio is a major figure in the Philippines, and one very much admired by many Filipinos.

Does your country have a holiday commemorating the birth or death of a beloved figure? Let us know in the comments!

Learning about a country’s culture may be the most fascinating and enriching aspect of trying to master its language. If you want more information on Filipino culture, you may enjoy the following pages on FilipinoPod101.com:

• Rizal Day Word List
• What’s Your Favorite Filipino Food?
• Tourist Attractions in the Philippines
• 4 Reasons Why Filipino Slang Words Will Make You Fluent
• How to Post in Perfect Filipino on Social Media

At FilipinoPod101.com, it’s our goal to make learning Filipino as simple and painless as possible. We provide tons of free lessons, vocabulary lists, and blog posts on both cultural and language-related topics. Start by creating your free lifetime account today!

You’ll be reading, writing, and speaking Filipino like a native before you know it, and we’ll be here with help and guidance every step of the way.

Happy Filipino learning!

Learn all the Filipino New Year wishes online, in your own time, on any device! Join FilipinoPod101 for a special Filipino New Year celebration!

Can you relate to the year passing something like this: “January, February, March – December!”? Many people do! Quantum physics teaches us that time is relative, and few experiences illustrate this principle as perfectly as when we reach the end of a year. To most of us, it feels like the old one has passed in the blink of an eye, while the new year lies ahead like a very long journey! However, New Year is also a time to celebrate beginnings, and to say goodbye to what has passed. This is true in every culture, no matter when New Year is celebrated.

So, how do you say Happy New Year in Filipino? Let a native teach you! At FilipinoPod101, you will learn how to correctly greet your friends over New Year, and wish them well with these Filipino New Year wishes!

Table of Contents

1. How to Celebrate New Year in Philippines
2. Must-Know Filipino Words & Phrases for the New Year!
3. Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions in Filipino
4. Inspirational New Year Quotes
5. Inspirational Language Learning Quotes
6. How To Say Happy New Year in 31 Languages
7. How FilipinoPod101 Can Help You Learn Filipino

But let’s start with some vocabulary for Filipino New Year celebrations, very handy for conversations.

1. How to Celebrate New Year in Philippines

In the Philippines, New Year’s Day is celebrated every 1st of January. The celebration starts with New Year’s Eve, when families gather for Media Noche meaning the meal to greet the new year, and to set off firecrackers. This is why New Year’s Eve is said to be the noisiest day of the year in the Philippines, because of the large number of outdoor celebrations, parties, and firecrackers.

Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question-

What do you think would be a good outfit to wear on New Year’s Eve in the Philippines?

If you don’t already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep reading.

During New Year’s Eve, families gather in the houses of their parents for Media Noche. Media Noche is a feast shared by the family to welcome the new year. Every type of food served is laced with an underlying meaning and is believed to bring luck, or swerte and prosperity, or kasaganaan for the new year. Some of the food prepared during the party, or handaan in Filipino, include a dozen circular fruits believed to bring prosperity, biko (which is a kind of sweetened sticky rice), in order to make our luck stick around; and pansit (a type of noodles) or spaghetti for longevity. In Filipino, the word longevity is mahabang buhay.

Filipinos believe that it’s necessary to make noises to ward off evil spirits. That’s why firecrackers are set off the moment the clock strikes twelve, and normally continue on until early morning. The exact time new year begins is the noisiest because you won’t just hear firecrackers, but also the ringing of pots and pans, trumpets, and blowing of horns.

In recent years, going to street parties to welcome the New Year has become a popular tradition in the Philippines, especially in Manila. This is partly due to the fact that firecrackers are gradually being prohibited for individual use. Due to the massive amount of firecrackers used and since the people typically setting them off at home are not professionals, individual use of firecrackers brings danger to the neighborhood.

Many people also attend street parties sponsored by the two biggest television stations in the country. One of these is held every year at the intersection of Ayala and Makati Avenue. Here, participants can closely see their favorite artists, dance, and watch a fireworks display from professional pyrotechnicians.

When welcoming the new year, it’s a tradition for children to jump at midnight, since it is believed that it will make them taller. It is also common to see adults jumping because they are still hoping to grow taller!

Now it’s time to answer our quiz question-

What do you think would be a good outfit to wear on New Year’s Eve in the Philippines?

It is said that polka dots are the best design to wear on New Year’s Eve! Filipinos believe that wearing something with circular patterns, like polka dots, will bring a prosperous year full of luck, especially when it comes to money.

Happy New Year!
Maligayang Bagong Taon!

2. Must-Know Filipino Words & Phrases for the New Year!

1- Year

taon

This is pretty self-explanatory. Most countries follow a Gregorian calendar, which has approximately 365 days in a year, while in some cultures, other year designations are also honored. Therefore, New Year’s day in Philippines could fall on a different day than in your country. When do you celebrate New Year?

2- Midnight

hatinggabi

The point in time when a day ends and a new one starts. Many New Year celebrants prefer to stay awake till midnight, and greet the new annum as it breaks with fanfare and fireworks!

3- New Year’s Day

Araw ng Bagong Taon

In most countries, the new year is celebrated for one whole day. On the Gregorian calendar, this falls on January 1st. On this day, different cultures engage in festive activities, like parties, parades, big meals with families and many more.

4- Party

kasiyahan

A party is most people’s favorite way to end the old year, and charge festively into the new one! We celebrate all we accomplished in the old year, and joyfully anticipate what lies ahead.

5- Dancing

sayawan

Usually, when the clock strikes midnight and the New Year officially begins, people break out in dance! It is a jolly way to express a celebratory mood with good expectations for the year ahead. Also, perhaps, that the old year with its problems has finally passed! Dance parties are also a popular way to spend New Year’s Eve in many places.

6- Champagne

champagne

Originating in France, champagne is a bubbly, alcoholic drink that is often used to toast something or someone during celebrations.

7- Fireworks

paputok

These are explosives that cause spectacular effects when ignited. They are popular for announcing the start of the new year with loud noises and colorful displays! In some countries, fireworks are set off to scare away evil spirits. In others, the use of fireworks is forbidden in urban areas due to their harmful effect on pets. Most animals’ hearing is much more sensitive than humans’, so this noisy display can be very frightful and traumatising to them.

8- Countdown

countdown

This countdown refers to New Year celebrants counting the seconds, usually backward, till midnight, when New Year starts – a great group activity that doesn’t scare animals, and involves a lot of joyful shouting when the clock strikes midnight!

9- New Year’s Holiday

Bagong Taon

In many countries, New Year’s Day is a public holiday – to recuperate from the party the previous night, perhaps! Families also like to meet on this day to enjoy a meal and spend time together.

10- Confetti

konfeti

In most Western countries, confetti is traditionally associated with weddings, but often it is used as a party decoration. Some prefer to throw it in the air at the strike of midnight on New Year’s Eve.

11- New Year’s Eve

Bisperas ng Bagong Taon

This is the evening before New Year breaks at midnight! Often, friends and family meet for a party or meal the evening before, sometimes engaging in year-end rituals. How are you planning to give your New Year greetings in 2018?

12- Toast

tagay

A toast is a type of group-salutation that involves raising your glass to drink with others in honor of something or someone. A toast to the new year is definitely in order!

13- Resolution

resolusyon

Those goals or intentions you hope to, but seldom keep in the new year! Many people consider the start of a new year to be the opportune time for making changes or plans. Resolutions are those intentions to change, or the plans. It’s best to keep your resolutions realistic so as not to disappoint yourself!

14- Parade

parada

New Year celebrations are a huge deal in some countries! Parades are held in the streets, often to celebratory music, with colorful costumes and lots of dancing. Parades are like marches, only less formal and way more fun. At FilipinoPod101, you can engage in forums with natives who can tell you what Filipino New Year celebrations are like!

3. Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions

So, you learned the Filipino word for ‘resolution’. Fabulous! Resolutions are those goals and intentions that we hope to manifest in the year that lies ahead. The beginning of a new year serves as a good marker in time to formalise these. Some like to do it in writing, others only hold these resolutions in their hearts. Here are our Top 10 New Year’s resolutions at FilipinoPod101 – what are yours?

Learn these phrases and impress your Filipino friends with your vocabulary.

1- Read more

Magbasa ng mas marami.

Reading is a fantastic skill that everyone can benefit from. You’re a business person? Apparently, successful business men and women read up to 60 books a year. This probably excludes fiction, so better scan your library or Amazon for the top business reads if you plan to follow in the footsteps of the successful! Otherwise, why not make it your resolution to read more Filipino in the new year? You will be surprised by how much this will improve your Filipino language skills!

2- Spend more time with family

Mag-ukol ng mas maraming oras sa pamilya

Former US President George Bush’s wife, Barbara Bush, was quoted as having said this: “At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, a parent.” This is very true! Relationships are often what gives life meaning, so this is a worthy resolution for any year.

3- Lose weight

magpapayat

Hands up, how many of you made this new year’s resolution last year too…?! This is a notoriously difficult goal to keep, as it takes a lot of self discipline not to eat unhealthily. Good luck with this one, and avoid unhealthy fad diets!

4- Save money

mag-ipon

Another common and difficult resolution! However, no one has ever been sorry when they saved towards reaching a goal. Make it your resolution to save money to upgrade your subscription to FilipinoPod101’s Premium PLUS option in the new year – it will be money well spent!

5- Quit smoking

Tumigil sa paninigarilyo.

This is a resolution that you should definitely keep, or your body could punish you severely later! Smoking is a harmful habit with many hazardous effects on your health. Do everything in your power to make this resolution come true in the new year, as your health is your most precious asset.

6- Learn something new

Matuto ng bago.

Science has proven that learning new skills can help keep brain diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s at bay! It can even slow down the progression of the disease. So, keep your brain healthy by learning to speak a new language, studying towards a qualification, learning how to sew, or how to play chess – no matter how old you are, the possibilities are infinite!

7- Drink less

Bawasan ang pag-inom.

This is another health resolution that is good to heed any time of the year. Excessive drinking is associated with many diseases, and its effect can be very detrimental to good relationships too. Alcohol is a poison and harmful for the body in large quantities!

8- Exercise regularly

Regular na mag-ehersisyo.

This resolution goes hand-in-hand with ‘Lose weight’! An inactive body is an unhealthy and often overweight one, so give this resolution priority in the new year.

9- Eat healthy

Kumain ng masustansyang pagkain

If you stick with this resolution, you will lose weight and feel better in general. It is a very worthy goal to have!

10- Study Filipino with FilipinoPod101

pag-aaral ng Filipino kasama ang FilipinoPod101.com

Of course! You can only benefit from learning Filipino, especially with us! Learning how to speak Filipino can keep your brain healthy, it can widen your circle of friends, and improve your chances to land a dream job anywhere in the world. FilipinoPod101 makes it easy and enjoyable for you to stick to this resolution.

4. Inspirational New Year Quotes

Everyone knows that it is sometimes very hard to stick to resolutions, and not only over New Year. The reasons for this vary from person to person, but all of us need inspiration every now and then! A good way to remain motivated is to keep inspirational quotes near as reminders that it’s up to us to reach our goals.

Click here for quotes that will also work well in a card for a special Filipino new year greeting!

Make decorative notes of these in Filipino, and keep them close! Perhaps you could stick them above your bathroom mirror, or on your study’s wall. This way you not only get to read Filipino incidentally, but also remain inspired to reach your goals! Imagine feeling like giving up on a goal, but reading this quote when you go to the bathroom: “It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop.” What a positive affirmation!

5. Inspirational Language Learning Quotes

Still undecided whether you should enroll with FilipinoPod101 to learn a new language? There’s no time like the present to decide! Let the following Language Learning Quotes inspire you with their wisdom.

Click here to read the most inspirational Language Learning Quotes!

As legendary President Nelson Mandela once said: “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.” So, learning how to say Happy New Year in Filipino could well be a way into someone special’s heart for you! Let this year be the one where you to learn how to say Happy New Year, and much more, in Filipino – it could open many and unexpected doors for you.

6. How To Say Happy New Year in 31 Languages

Here’s a lovely bonus for you! Why stop with Filipino – learn how to say Happy New Year in 31 other languages too! Watch this video and learn how to pronounce these New Year’s wishes like a native in under two minutes.

7. Why Enrolling with FilipinoPod101 Would Be the Perfect New Year’s Gift to Yourself!

If you are unsure how to celebrate the New Year, why not give yourself a huge gift, and enroll to learn Filipino! With more than 12 years of experience behind us, we know that FilipinoPod101 would be the perfect fit for you. There are so many reasons for this!

• Custom-tailored Learning Paths: Start learning Filipino at the level that you are. We have numerous Learning Pathways, and we tailor them just for you based on your goals and interests! What a boon!
• Marked Progress and Fresh Learning Material Every Week: We make new lessons available every week, with an option to track your progress. Topics are culturally appropriate and useful, such as “Learning how to deliver negative answers politely to a business partner.” Our aim is to equip you with Filipino that makes sense!
• Multiple Learning Tools: Learn in fun, easy ways with resources such 1,000+ video and audio lessons, flashcards, detailed PDF downloads, and mobile apps suitable for multiple devices!
• Fast Track Learning Option: If you’re serious about fast-tracking your learning, Premium Plus would be the perfect way to go! Enjoy perks such as personalised lessons with ongoing guidance from your own, native-speaking teacher, and one-on-one learning on your mobile app! You will not be alone in your learning. Weekly assignments with non-stop feedback, answers and corrections will ensure speedy progress.
• Fun and Easy: Keeping the lessons fun and easy-to-learn is our aim, so you will stay motivated by your progress!

There’s no reason not to go big in 2018 by learning Filipino with FilipinoPod101. Just imagine how the world can open up for you!

Do you know any ways to wish someone a ‘Merry Christmas’ in Filipino? FilipinoPod101 brings you easy-to-learn translations and the correct pronunciation of Filipino Christmas phrases!

Christmas is the annual commemorative festival of Christ’s birth in the Western Christian Church. It takes place on December 25th and is usually celebrated with much food and fanfare! However, not all cultures celebrate Christmas. In some countries, Christmas is not even a public holiday! However, many countries have adapted Christmas and its religious meaning to tally with their own beliefs, or simply in acknowledgment of the festival’s importance to other cultures. If you want to impress native Filipino speakers with culturally-appropriate Christmas phrases and vocabulary, FilipinoPod101 will teach you the most important ways to wish someone a ‘Merry Christmas’ in Filipino!

Table of Contents

1. How to Celebrate Christmas in the Philippines
2. Holiday Greetings and Wishes
3. Must-Know Christmas Day Vocabulary
4. Twelve Days of Christmas
5. Top 10 Christmas Characters
6. How FilipinoPod101 Can Help You

1. How to Celebrate Christmas in the Philippines

The most colorful and happiest season in the Philippines is Christmas. Note that here we say season, or in Filipino panahon, because Christmas in the Philippines is not just celebrated on a single day, but over 3 to 4 months! From September to January, the spirit of Christmas is felt across the entire country, which is why the Philippines is usually recognized for having the longest Christmas in the world.

Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question-

What do Filipinos call the tradition of Secret Santa?

If you don’t already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep reading.

Before Christmas Day, Catholics in the Philippines must make many preparations. Misa de Gallo, also known as Simbang Gabi, is a novena of nine masses held from the 16th to the 24th of December. This mass is celebrated over nine consecutive days, usually beginning at 5 in the morning, but some masses are held as early as 3 in the morning.

Many Filipinos wake up early and strive to complete the entirety of the Misa de Gallo. It is believed that if you are able to attend each ceremony, you can make a wish and it will come true.

During Christmas Eve, Filipinos usually go to church to attend Misa de Aguinaldo. This is held on the 24th of December between 10 in the evening and midnight, or in Filipino hatinggabi.

Like other feasts and celebrations in the Philippines, parties, food, and most importantly, family, are key pillars of the festivities. In the Philippines, big families are very common, which is why Christmas celebrations are always lively and noisy.

During Christmas gatherings, families come together to eat Noche Buena meaning Christmas meal. This feast includes queso de bola, which is edam cheese sealed in red paraffin wax, chocolates, fruit salad, ham, and sometimes even roasted pork. This is also the time when people exchange and open presents, or regalo.

Also, wherever you go you will undoubtedly hear Christmas Carols, or in Filipino karoling, often sung by children carrying copper bottle caps, spoons, forks, and other household items that can make a sound to carry a beat.

Now it’s time to answer our quiz question-

What do Filipinos call the tradition of Secret Santa?

In the Philippines, Secret Santa is called Monito or Monita, and of course, the gift recipient doesn’t know who picked him or her. It is also called Kris Kringle and done during Christmas parties with friends, classmates, or workmates.

2. Holiday Greetings and Wishes for the Holiday Season

1- Merry Christmas!

Maligayang Pasko!

Do you know how to say ‘Merry Christmas’ in Filipino? Learn here how to pronounce it perfectly! ‘Merry’ means to be joyful, to celebrate and generally be in good spirits. So, with this phrase you are wishing someone a joyful, celebratory remembrance of Christ’s birth!

2- Happy Kwanzaa!

Happy Kwanzaa!

Surprise your African-American, or West African native friends with this phrase over the Christmas holidays! Kwanzaa is a seven-day, non-religious celebration, starting on Dec 26th each year. It has its roots in African American modern history, and many people celebrate both Kwanzaa and Christmas!

3- Have a happy New Year!

Magkaroon ng isang masayang Bagong Taon!

In countries where Christmas is not officially celebrated, but a Gregorian calendar is observed, this would be a friendly festive-season wish over New Year.

4- Happy Hanukkah!

Maligayang Hanukkah!

Hanukkah is the beautiful Hebrew festival over November or December each year. It is also called the ‘Festival of Lights’ and is celebrated to commemorate the Jewish freedom of religion.

5- Have a great winter vacation!

Magkaroon ka sana ng isang masayang winter vacation!

This is a good phrase to keep handy if someone doesn’t observe any religious festival over the Christmas holidays! However, this will only be applicable in the Northern hemisphere, where it is winter over Christmas.

6- See you next year!

Magkita tayo sa susunod na taon!

Going away on holiday over Christmas season, or saying goodbye to someone about to leave on vacation? This would be a good way to say goodbye to your friends and family.

7- Warm wishes!

Lubos na bumabati!

An informal, friendly phrase to write in Filipino Christmas cards, especially for secular friends who prefer to observe Christmas celebrations without the religious symbolism. It conveys the warmth of friendship and friendly wishes associated with this time of year.

8- Happy holidays!

Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon!

If you forget how to say ‘Merry Christmas!’ in Filipino, this is a safe, generic phrase to use instead.

9- Enjoy the holidays!

Magsaya ngayong bakasyon!

After saying ‘Merry Christmas’ in Filipino, this would be a good phrase with which to wish Christmas holiday-goers well! It is also good to use for secular friends who don’t celebrate Christmas but take a holiday at this time of the year.

10- Best wishes for the New Year!

Lubos na bumabati para sa bagong taon!

This is another way of wishing someone well in the New Year if they observe a Gregorian calendar. New Year’s day would then fall on January 1st.

3. Must-Know Christmas Day Vocabulary

Christmas is associated with many traditions and religious symbols in multiple countries across the world. It originated centuries ago in the West with the birth of Christianity, and the celebrations are often embedded with rich cultural significance. So, by now you know how to say Merry Christmas in Filipino! Next, learn pertinent vocabulary and phrases pertaining to Christmas, as well as how to pronounce them correctly. At FilipinoPod101, we make sure you sound like a native speaker!

1- Christmas

Pasko

This is the Filipino word for ‘Christmas’. Most happy Christmas wishes in Filipino will include this word!

2- Snow

niyebe

In most Northern-hemisphere countries, Christmas is synonymous with snow, and for Christmas, the snowman is often dressed as Santa Claus.

3- Snowflake

snowflake

Snowflakes collectively make up snow. A single snowflake is small, white, light like a feather and icy cold! When put under a microscope, the snowflake reveals itself to have the most beautiful, symmetrical patterns. These patterns have become popular Christmas decorations, especially in Western countries.

4- Snowman

snowman

As you guessed – a snowman is only possible to build if it is snowing! What a fun way to spend Christmas day outside.

5- Turkey

pabo

Roast turkey is the traditional main dish on thousands of lunch tables on Christmas day, mainly in Western countries. What is your favorite Christmas dish?

6- Wreath

wreath

Another traditional Western decoration for Christmas, the wreath is an arrangement of flowers, leaves, or stems fastened in a ring. Many families like to hang a Christmas wreath outside on their houses’ front doors.

7- Reindeer

reindeer

Reindeer are the animals commonly fabled to pull Santa Claus’ sled across the sky! Western Christmas folklore tells of Father Christmas or Santa Claus doing the rounds with his sled, carrying Christmas presents for children, and dropping them into houses through the chimney. But who is Santa Claus?

8- Santa Claus

Santa Klaus

Santa Claus is a legendary and jolly figure originating in the Western Christian culture. He is known by many names, but is traditionally depicted as a rotund man wearing a red costume with a pointy hat, and sporting a long, snow-white beard!

9- Elf

duwende

An elf is a supernatural creature of folklore with pointy ears, a dainty, humanoid body and a capricious nature. Elves are said to help Santa Claus distribute presents to children over Christmas!

10- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer

‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ is a Christmas song based on an American children’s story book with the same name. Rudolph is one of Santa’s reindeer. The song became more famous than the book, and can still be heard playing in many shopping malls over Christmas time across the globe!

11- North Pole

Hilagang Polo

The cold North Pole is where Santa Claus is reputed to live with his reindeer!

12- Sled

kareta

A sled is a non-motorised land vehicle used to travel over snow in countries where it snows a lot, and is usually pulled by animals such as horses, dogs or reindeer. This one obviously refers to Santa’s sled! Another word for sled is sleigh or sledge.

13- Present

regalo

Gift or present giving is synonymous with Christmas Eve and the greatest source of joy for children over this festive time! This tradition signifies that Christ’s birth was a gift to mankind, but not all people who hand out presents over Christmas observe the religious meaning.

14- Bell

kampanilya

On Christmas Day, or Christmas Eve, many religious celebrants enjoy going to church for a special sermon and Christmas rituals. The start of the sermon is often announced with bells or a bell, if the church has one. For this reason, the sound of ringing bells is often associated with Christmas Day.

15- Chimney

tsimineya

The chimney is the entrance Santa Claus uses to deliver children’s presents on Christmas Day, according to folklore! Wonder how the chubby man and his elves stay clean…?!

16- Fireplace

fireplace

In most countries where it snows, Christmas is synonymous with a fire or burning embers in houses’ fireplaces. Families huddle around its warmth while opening Christmas presents. Also, this is where Santa Claus is reputed to pop out after his journey down the chimney!

17- Christmas Day

Araw ng Pasko

This is the official day of commemorative celebration of Christ’s birth, and falls each year on December 25.

18- Decoration

palamuti

Decorations are the colourful trinkets and posters that make their appearance in shops and homes during the Christmas holiday season in many countries! They give the places a celebratory atmosphere in anticipation of the big Christmas celebration. Typical Christmas decorations include colorful photographs and posters, strings of lights, figurines of Santa Claus and the nativity scene, poinsettia flowers, snowflakes and many more.

19- Stocking

medyas

According to legend, Santa Claus places children’s presents in a red stocking hanging over the fireplace. This has also become a popular decoration, signifying Christmas.

20- Holly

asebo

Holly is a shrub native to the UK, and parts of Europe, Africa and Asia. It is characterised by glossy, spiny-toothed leaves, small, whitish flowers, and red berries. Ironically, its significance for Christmas relates to Christ’s crucifixion and suffering rather than his birth. However, the leaves’ distinctive shape and image have become popular Christmas decorations.

21- Gingerbread house

gingerbread house

According to legend, the gingerbread house synonymous with Christmas is related to Christ’s birth place, Bethlehem. Bethlehem literally means ‘House of Bread’. Over centuries, it has become a popular treat over Christmas time in many non-religious households as well.

22- Candy cane

candy cane

According to folklore, Christmas candy canes made their appearance first in Germany in the 16th century. A choir master gave children the candy canes to suck on in church in order to keep them quiet during the Christmas sermon! Apparently, the candy is shaped like a cane in remembrance of the shepherds who were the first to visit the baby Jesus. Today, like gingerbread houses, they are still a popular sweet over the festive season!

23- Mistletoe

mistletoe

Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that grows on certain trees. In the Middle Ages, it was believed that the mistletoe has magical powers, and could protect a household from evil if hung above a door during December. The belief didn’t last but the habit did, and the mistletoe is another popular Christmas decoration!

4. Twelve Days of Christmas

Wow, you’re doing extremely well! You know how to wish someone a Merry Christmas in Filipino, and you learned pertinent vocabulary too! The Twelve Days of Christmas is not very well known in modern times, so, you’re on your way to becoming an expert in Christmas traditions and rituals. Well done!

The Twelve Days of Christmas, also known as Twelvetide, is a traditional festive period of 12 days dedicated to celebrate the nativity of Christ. Christmas Day is, for many who observe Twelvetide, the first day of this period.

‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ is also a popular Christmas song about a series of gifts given on each day of Twelvetide. According to experts, these gifts were created as a coded reference to important symbols in the Christian church. Here is a list of those gifts mentioned in the song! Do you recognise them?

5. Top 10 Christmas Characters in American Culture

This is fantastic, you know how to explain almost everything about Christmas in Filipino! However, do you know the most popular Christmas characters in American culture? Your knowledge will not be complete without this list.

6. FilipinoPod101 Is One Of The Best Online Language Schools Available!

We don’t just say this – we can prove it! Geared to your personal needs and goals, we have several learning paths from which to choose. From Filipino for Absolute Beginners to Advanced Filipino, lessons are designed to meet you where you are, and increase your language abilities in fun, easy and interactive lessons! Mastering a new language has never been this easy or enjoyable.

We have over a decade of experience and research behind us, and it shows! With thousands of audio and video lessons, detailed PDF lessons and notes, as well as friendly, knowledgeable hosts, FilipinoPod101 is simply unbeatable when it comes to learning correct Filipino. Plenty of tools and resources are available when you study with us. New lessons are added every week so material remains fresh and relevant. You also have the option to upgrade and enjoy even more personalised guidance and services. This is a sure way to fast-track your learning!

So, this Christmas, why don’t you give yourself a present and enroll in FilipinoPod101? Or give an enrollment as a present to a loved one. It will be a gift with benefits for a whole lifetime, not just over Christmas!