CALENDAR check: it is August 31 in the Philippines, but the smell of Christmas is already slowly invading the air.
The Philippines is recognized worldwide for having the longest Christmas season, which spans from the first day of September until the Feast of the Three Kings in January.
But as early as August, Christmas decorations are on display in several areas in the country. Case in point: a popular shopping center in Pasay City that has installed giant Christmas decorations at the entrance.
A netizen posted a video on TikTok showing the mall’s display of multiple Christmas trees, life-sized figures of Santa Claus and his elves, a big red bow, and a model of Santa’s post office.
“Teka lang naman MOA [Mall of Asia]… Hindi pa kami tapos sa Buwan ng Wika,” the uploader said.
Another TikTok user posted a video of a shopping mall in Taguig City with Christmas decorations, featuring red and green Christmas trees, giant Christmas balls, chandeliers, and life-sized white reindeer statues at the entryway.
“And just like that, Pasko na sa Pinas!” the uploader wrote.
These videos have also gotten other Filipinos in the festive spirit, with some saying that this year’s Christmas celebration feels “more exciting.”
“Ako lang ba or parang bumabalik ‘yung excitement ng Pasko noon ngayon?” a TikTok user said.
“Feel ko sobrang ganda ng Pasko this year,” another netizen commented.
A social media user agreed to this and said, “Wait, no joke. Iba dating [ng] Pasko ngayon, parang exciting.”
The Christmas season is a much-anticipated time for many Filipinos, where they celebrate vibrant traditions such as attending Simbang Gabi, enjoying the famous puto bumbong and bibingka after mass, exchanging gifts, and, of course, gathering for festive meals with loved ones.
Jose Mari Chan, Mariah Carey memes
Filipinos have several ways of welcoming the Christmas season.
While some put up Christmas decorations and play Christmas songs, others usher in “Ber” months in the most fun and Filipino way: generating and sharing memes starring Christmas and music icons Jose Mari Chan and Mariah Carey all over social media.
On Facebook, an animator named Kayô Mitô has gotten more creative on his Christmas meme when he posted a hilarious edited clip from Netflix’s most popular film of all time “KPop Demon Hunters,” highlighting an unexpected crossover between the fictional girl group HUNTR/X and Jose Mari Chan during the former’s “Golden” performance onstage.
The Facebook reels showed HUNTR/X’s vocalist Rumi belting out “Golden’s” chorus part when the lights and music suddenly went off and the Filipino singer-songwriter’s “Christmas In Our Hearts” started playing in the background.
“Jose Mari Chan?” Rumi uttered in the edited video.
“Is it Ber months already,” another character said.
The clip then transitioned to Jose Mari Chan’s “Christmas In Our Hearts” live performance, featuring Kapuso actress and singer Julie Anne San Jose.
As of writing, the “HUNTR/X x Jose Mari Chan” video has gotten over 154,000 shares and 69,000 reactions on Facebook.
“Jose Mari Chan sealed [the] honmoon this Ber months,” a Facebook user commented, referring to the magical barrier that protects humans from demons in “KPop Demon Hunters.”
Meanwhile, AJ Bacar, a comic artist and the creator of Sskait, reposted his Jose Mari Chan art, which showed the latter wearing a Santa hat and in the middle of a melting ice block.
“He’s defrosting guys…” a text read on Bacar’s art, which has now over 1,800 shares and 12,000 reactions on Facebook.
Another meme had Jose Mari Chan standing next to Carey on an ice block, ready to use their microphones to perform their hit Christmas songs.
The two artists have become a staple on Filipino’s “Ber months starter pack,” with their memes and iconic Christmas songs, such as “All I Want For Christmas Is You” by Carey and “A Perfect Christmas” by Jose Mari Chan, signaling the start of the Yuletide season in the country.
Celebrated every 25th of December, Christmas Day is a regular holiday in the Philippines allowing Filipino employees to take a break from their usual busy schedules and spend time not only with their families and friends but also with themselves. Those who will report to work on this day will receive additional pay based on the existing pay rules.
