2011, November 25. Christmas Season "Pasko"
Litho Offset.
APO Productions Unit. Perf. 13 1/4 x 13
Se-tenant
Blocks of Four, Sheets of 40 (10 x 4)
CHRISTMAS TIME IN THE PHILIPPINES
Christmas is the longest
and most celebrated holiday in the Philippines. On December
16, the festivities start with a daily pre-dawn Mass, called Simbang
Gabi or Misas de Aguinaldo (Gift Masses), and culminate in the Misa
de Gallo on Christmas eve. The Misas de Aguinaldo
originated in Mexico and were held at four in the morning to
accommodate the farmers who had to be in the fields by dawn during
harvest season.
At Christmastime, homes
all over the Philippines are decorated with some
parol fashioned from bamboo sticks and cellophane. These
lanterns represent the star of Bethlehem, the guiding light that led
the three wise men to the infant Child. This emblem of
Philippine Christmas embodies the spirit of hospitality that
prevails during the season.
Christmas in the
Philippines is the day for presents for visits to godparents,
friends and relatives. In general, members of the family
exchange gifts following a traditional Christmas eve dinner (called
noche buena). Godchildren visit their godparents on Christmas day to
ask for their blessings and, in turn, godparents traditionally hand
over gifts to their godchildren. It is also during Christmas
day that big family reunions are held with a feast of good food,
singing, an dancing.
(http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/Tagalog_Default_files/Philippine_Culture/paskong_pilipino.htm)