While many families celebrated the Christmas holiday in the comfort of their homes and open parks, hundreds of passengers found themselves stranded at North Port Terminals in Manila. Their trips to provinces were rescheduled at the last minute due to adverse weather conditions.

Expressing disappointment, some passengers revealed that the shipping company failed to notify them via text messages about the cancellations caused by the inclement weather.

As a consolation, some of the stranded passengers hope to be with their loved ones on New Year’s Eve.

(Benjamin Cuaresma/IAmigo/MNM)

In a succinct interview conducted on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, a local fruit stall vendor at San Andres Market expressed that current fruit prices remain stable. However, a cautious warning was issued, indicating a possible increase in prices as Christmas Day approaches, persisting until New Year’s Day.

The vendor highlighted a cultural tradition among Filipinos, noting that it’s common for them to purchase 12 different round fruits for their New Year’s Day celebrations. According to her, the symbolism behind including round fruits on the dinner table is associated with prosperity and good fortune in the upcoming year.

(Benjamin Cuaresma/IA/MNM)

By Patricia Lanzagarita

MANILA — Christmas in the Philippines is a remarkable experience. However, due to several reasons, such as strict rules in the neighborhood or families just preferring to hang outside during Christmas, some people prefer going to places that they have never been before.

Some of them prefer going to shows, but they don’t want to go that far. With this in hand, here are some Christmas light shows within the Metro that you can go to with your family or loved ones during the holidays:

Festival of Lights, Ayala Triangle Gardens

Ayala Land and Ayala Malls have established a Christmas tradition with their annual Festival of Lights. With the blend of the environment and the artificial lights, children and adults can enjoy the show with different kinds of music, such as medleys of Filipino Christmas music, K-pop, and prominent Christmas carols.

In the middle of the business district, the show was located at the Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City. Entrance is free, and the show starts from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM until January 14, 2024.

MOA Nights of Lights

Indeed, a night in the Mall of Asia will be full of lights with the return of the third edition of MOA Nights of Lights. Various attractions and larger-than-life installations can be seen in the area, including Jingle Bell Swings, the Christmas Tunnel of Lights, the Field of Holiday Lights, Holly Jolly Station, Magical Glow Globes, and Merry Melodies.

The newly opened area is located at Level 3, South Entertainment Mall, and can be viewed from November 16 until January 7, 2024, from 5:30 PM until the closing time of the mall.

SM by the BAY

If your family cannot do fireworks at home, SM by the BAY got your back, and they will have you experience the holiday fireworks. The beauty of these fireworks added a holiday atmosphere to the cold breeze, reflecting water, good holiday music, and the constant movement of the ferris wheel.

Located at Central Park, SM by the BAY, you can watch the fireworks every Friday starting from September 15 to December 2023.

Don’t you want to get bored at home? Go and try these places, and feel the warmth of the holidays!

(ai/mmm)

By AYL

IT’S beginning to look a lot like Christmas anywhere people go, but most especially in Casa Santa Museum.

Although Christmas usually begins in September, this museum welcomes everyone daily all year long. This is where you can visit Santa Claus.

In a three-hectare events place named Jardin de Marimar in Antipolo, Rizal, a Casa Santa Museum is set inside, giving visitors some one-of-a-kind Christmas feels. 

Where it all began

One of its caretakers, Eya, said that the concept began when owner, Edna del Rosario, received a Christmas tree as a gift from a good friend and later got inspired to collect more of it in 1994.

The 120-square-meter house has already been there since 1950s, but ever since Del Rosario got interested in Christmas decorations, she collected it and now it has over 3,700 Christmas decorations on it.

Casa Santa Museum began opening to the public on December 25, 2004, now a favorite-go-to museum of several families in the Metro and Rizal area.

Balay Belen

Aside from Santa’s house, there is also a Balay Belen connected to Casa Santa that showcases different mediums of how the Belen is made. 

It also shows how Christmas is being celebrated in various continents such as Asia, Africa, and Europe with molded clays.

Visiting hours

Throughout the year, this Santa house welcomes visitors daily from 10:00am to 4:00pm on weekdays and 2:00pm to 4:00pm on weekends.

For only 30 minutes to one-hour drive from the heart of Metro Manila, Casa Santa Museum provides that kind of Christmas experience.

BEYOND the exchange of gifts and the delightful array of festive decorations, Christmas is a time when cherished traditions bring people together, fostering a sense of warmth, joy, and connection.

In this article, we’ll delve into five timeless Christmas traditions that have transcended borders, weaving a tapestry of shared experiences during the holiday season.

Decorating the Christmas Tree: A Joyous Affair

The tradition of decorating a Christmas tree has stood the test of time, evolving into a cherished family ritual. Gathering around a tree adorned with twinkling lights, sentimental ornaments, and a radiant tree topper, families create a spectacle that not only brightens homes but also fills them with the magic of the season. The act of embellishing the tree becomes a collective celebration, symbolizing unity and the shared anticipation of the festivities ahead.

The Gift of Giving: A Heartwarming Exchange

At the heart of Christmas lies the tradition of gift-giving—a practice that transcends cultural boundaries. Whether nestled beneath the boughs of a decorated tree or exchanged in the spirit of Secret Santa, gifts represent tokens of love, appreciation, and goodwill. The art of thoughtful giving is an integral part of the holiday, as carefully wrapped presents become tangible expressions of the joy and generosity that define the season.

Feasts and Festivities: Christmas Meals That Warm the Soul

From the succulent roast turkey in Western cultures to the symbolic “Kūčios” meal in Lithuania, Christmas feasts are a time-honored tradition that brings families together around the table. These culinary celebrations extend beyond mere sustenance; they embody the essence of sharing, gratitude, and the joy of togetherness. Whether it’s a meticulously prepared Christmas Eve dinner or a festive Christmas Day brunch, the ritual of breaking bread with loved ones is an integral part of the holiday experience.

Harmony in Song: Christmas Carols and Music

The airwaves come alive with the familiar melodies of “Jingle Bells,” “Silent Night,” and “Deck the Halls” as the holiday season unfolds. Christmas carols and music serve as a soundtrack to the festivities, creating an atmosphere of joy and nostalgia. Whether caroling through neighborhoods or attending seasonal concerts, the shared experience of music fosters a sense of community and captures the timeless magic of Christmas.

Counting Down with an Advent Calendar: A Daily Dose of Anticipation

The Advent calendar, with its tiny doors or windows revealing daily surprises, has become a beloved tradition in many households. Starting on December 1st and concluding on Christmas Eve, the Advent calendar adds an extra layer of excitement to the holiday countdown. Each day becomes a miniature celebration, offering a delightful preview of the joyous occasion that awaits.

As Christmas approaches, these timeless traditions serve as reminders of the magic and meaning inherent in the season.

Whether it’s the twinkling lights of a decorated tree, the exchange of heartfelt gifts, the joyous feasts, the harmonious melodies, or the daily surprises from an Advent calendar, these customs weave a rich tapestry of shared experiences.

Embracing these traditions not only connects us with the past but also fosters a sense of unity and joy that transcends cultural and geographic boundaries.

This holiday season, let us come together to celebrate the timeless magic of Christmas and create lasting memories with those we hold dear.

(JR AMIGO/AI/MNM)

With just 22 days remaining until Christmas, eager shoppers thronged Ilaya St. in Divisoria, Tondo, on Sunday (03 Dec 2023) skillfully navigating the crowded streets to get ahead of the impending holiday rush.

The congestion was palpable, rendering both the streets and shopping malls almost impassable as enthusiastic shoppers embarked on a spree. Parking lots quickly reached full capacity mere hours after opening their gates to motorists.

In response to the heightened shopping activity leading up to Christmas Eve, the Manila Police District (MPD) significantly increased its presence to ensure public safety and prevent any untoward incidents.

At the MPD Dagupan PCP Station II, personnel were fully equipped and prepared to enforce security measures. This heightened vigilance stemmed from recent events, notably an explosion that occurred at a gymnasium at Mindanao State University during a Catholic Mass service in Marawi City. The tragic incident claimed the lives of three individuals and injured seven.

(Benjamin Cuaresma/AI/MNM)

By Liza Soriano

Senator Mark Villar has urged market vendors not to abuse the flock of buyers during special occasions like Christmas and New Year saying that they should avoid price gouging on commodities.

“We are expecting an influx of buyers, so please do not abuse this important occasion for our fellow Filipinos. We are together with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)  in appealing to our vendors to fairly sell their products this Christmas and New Year,” Villar said.

The Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship chairperson told the consumers to be vigilant in buying products as such should not violate the price guide imposed by the DTI.

“Apart from a safe and orderly celebration of Christmas, it is likewise important that we monitor the prices of these in-demand products,” Villar added.

The senator said that consumers may report to DTI regarding complaints about sky-high increases in prices of basic commodities during the holidays.

(ai/mnm)

After the solemn observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, the whole of Christendom now shifts to holiday mode as they prepare for the upcoming Christmas and New Year’s Day celebrations.

With just 53 days left until Christmas Day, vendors in Plaza Quezon, Las Pinas City, are working diligently to create beautiful, colorful lanterns made of bamboo and plastic sheets. This festive activity started on Thursday, November 2, 2023.

These vendors have a wide variety of specific decorations and colors available for their lanterns. According to them, right after All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, decorators and buyers eagerly start purchasing their Christmas lanterns.

(Report and photography by Benjamin Cuaresma/ai/mnm)

By Junex Doronio

BORBON, Cebu — It was like an early Christmas gift for some 500 poor residents here that they would never forget when they received a total of P1.5 million “ayuda” from siblings Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano through the efforts of Vice Mayor Roy Melgo.

The Borbonanons in Barangay Poblacion were visibly elated when they each received P3,000 in cash from the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) that handled the donation of the Cayetano senator siblings.

“Thank you so much Senators Alan and Peter Cayetano for your generosity. Praise the Lord, this is an early ‘pinaskuhan’ Christmas gift for the poor folks in Borbon,” said retired public high school teacher Naomi “Inday Nenen” Polinag whose meager pension could hardly meet her family’s needs.

Melgo had solicited the cash aid from the Cayetano senator siblings.

The “ayuda”-giving event was held on Monday, October 16, at the Borbon Sports Complex during the AICS program of DSWD.

Maharlika NuMedia learned that the aid was directly given by the Cayetano senator siblings to the Office of the Vice Mayor and coursed through the AICS program of the DSWD.

AICS is a DSWD program to provide immediate cash assistance to the individuals and families who are with crises and unable to maintain living expenses.

Widely believed to be eyeing the mayoralty post in 2025, Melgo serves as political adviser for the Visayas of the Vice Mayors League of the Philippines (VLMP) and the concurrent vice chairman of the Vice Mayors League of the Philippines (VMLP) in Region 7.

He is also the treasurer of the VMLP – Cebu Chapter.

Melgo said aside from directly giving prompt and quality service to the Borbonanons, he will also focus on tourism and sports development and help the mayor fulfill his dream to propel this town into a first-class municipality. (ai/mnm)

Image Courtesy of: House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Facebook)

By Junex Doronio

EXPECTING A SPIKE of the costs of canned goods and other basic foods as a result of the series of oil price hikes, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez is planning to convince food manufacturers to forego their plans to increase prices of their products.

“Nauunawaan naman namin na maging sila ay apektado. But we will appeal to their sense of compassion and ask them if they can find a way to manage until Christmas,” Romualdez stressed.

He added that supermarket associations will also be invited to a dialogue in order to hear their concerns.

“We will attempt to convince them to at least postpone their plans, if there are any, until after Christmas in the spirit of the Yuletide season. Masyadong mabigat sa bulsa ang sabay-sabay na pagtaas ng mga bilihin kasabay ng pagtaas ng presyo ng krudo,” Romualdez said.

The House Speaker also pointed out that the PBBM administration is doing its best to alleviate the situation of the people, “but what we are experiencing is a world crisis.”

Romualdez is a first degree cousin of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos Jr.

“That’s why various agencies are ready to provide assistance because the government also feels the people’s predicaments,” Romualdez further said. (ai/mnm)