One September morning, you wake up and hear a group of carolers singing at your front door. 'We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year' they sing and for a second you wonder if you are still sleeping. Well, maybe, maybe not. You might just want to reassure what country you are in because in the land of fiestas, the Philippines, Christmas is prepared and celebrated somewhat differently.
In the Philippines, the four months that end with –ber is considered as Christmas months. Therefore, in the beginning of September, you will begin to see stores with Christmas decorations on sale and hear carolers sing from house to house. The reason Filipinos celebrate Christmas so early is that in general Filipinos love parties and festivals. They love to gather around with friends and family. Hence, even though Christmas is a few months away, people begin to put up Christmas decorations, play Christmas songs and shop for presents. But most importantly, as a predominantly Christian country, Christmas is an extremely important holiday for the Filipinos.
During these four months of preparation, since there is no snow, a lot more decorations are made than the usual Santa Claus or Christmas trees. One of the most common decoration is the star lantern rather known as parol which symbolizes the season and is represented as the guiding star of Bethlehem. Filipinos believe that the making of the parol is an expression of shared hope and faith therefore you will see countless numbers of parols hanging outside homes and along streets. This custom of making parols in away substitute snow by making Christmas even livelier as the country brightens up with beautiful and colorful lights.
As Christmas gets closer, Filipinos begin to prepare for the Christmas Eve dinner known as the Noche Buena feast. It is a day when friends and family gather together to celebrate an evening meal as they await the birth of Jesus Christ. On this day, tables are filled with delicious and traditional dishes such as Pancit (noodles) and Lechon (roasted pork). Being the people who love food and gathering with friends and family, this day is a day Filipinos do not want to miss.
Finally, the day everyone has been looking forward to, Christmas! This is the day when the streets are busy and loud with celebration. Fireworks light up, Churches resound with singing and houses fill up with joy and laugher. It is truly the brightest and liveliest time of the year in the Philippines. So, if you are ever thinking about going on trip for Christmas, how about the Philippines?
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ReplyDeleteIn the land of fiestas, the Philippines, Christmas is prepared and celebrated somewhat differently
2
I think that thesis statement includes background information: Christmas in the Philippines are somewhat different.
3
First paragraph gives some backgroud information about Christmas in the Philippines and decorations
Second paragraph gives more information about how they prepare for Christmas with decorations
Thrid paragraph especially presents a specific time called Noche Buena feast and foods they have during that time.
4
I seems to me that the sequence in this essay is from September to Decemer or from the start of Christams all the way through the real Christmas day.
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I think the writer gives enough information about during when Filipinos celebrate Christmas and what Noche Buena feast is.
6
The writer concludes the eassy with a recommendation.
1. What I like about this piece of writing is the whole story of it. I was surprised about the fact that Filipinos prepare for Christmas for four months!
ReplyDelete2. Your main point seems to be that Filipinos celebrate Christmas in somewhat different ways with other countries.
3. "You might just want to reassure what country you are in because in the land of fiestas, the Philippines, Christmas is prepared and celebrated somewhat differently." This line was quite powerful to me because it helped me to accept Filipinos long preparation for Christmas.
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ReplyDeleteHoliday/ 2nd Draft
ReplyDeleteOne September morning, you wake up and hear a group of carolers singing at your front door. 'We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year' they sing and for a second you wonder if you are still sleeping. Well, you might just want to reassure what country you are in because in the land of fiestas, the Philippines, Christmas is prepared and celebrated somewhat differently.
In the Philippines, the four months that end with –ber is considered as Christmas months. Therefore, in the beginning of September, you will begin to see stores with Christmas decorations on sale and hear carolers sing from house to house. The reason Filipinos celebrate Christmas so early is that in general Filipinos love parties and festivals. They love to gather around with friends and family. Hence, even though Christmas is a few months away, people begin to put up Christmas decorations, play Christmas songs and shop for presents. But most importantly, as a predominantly Christian country, Christmas is an extremely important holiday for the Filipinos.
During these four months of preparation, since there is no snow, a lot more decorations are made than the usual Santa Claus or Christmas trees. One of the most common decoration is the star lantern rather known as parol which symbolizes the season and the guiding star of Bethlehem. Filipinos believe that the making of the parol is an expression of shared hope and faith therefore you will see countless numbers of parols hanging outside homes and along streets. This custom of making parols in a way substitutes snow by making Christmas even livelier as the country brightens up with beautiful and colorful lights.
As Christmas gets closer, Filipinos begin to prepare for the Christmas Eve dinner known as the Noche Buena feast. It is a day when friends and family gather together to celebrate an evening meal as they await the birth of Jesus Christ. On this day, tables are filled with delicious and traditional dishes such as Pancit (noodles) and Lechon (roasted pork). Being the people who love food and gathering with friends and family, this day is the day Filipinos do not want to miss.
Finally, the day everyone has been looking forward to, Christmas! This is the day when the streets are busy and loud with celebration. Fireworks light up, Churches resound with singing and houses fill up with joy and laugher. It is truly the brightest and liveliest time of the year in the Philippines. So, if you are ever thinking about going on trip for Christmas, how about the Philippines?