PHILIPPINES: World's Longest Christmas Season & World's Best Christmas Designs

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Yup, ... and the number one in the country are Tanguib, City Misamis Occidental known as Christmas Symbol Capital of the Philippines, Pampanga, Philippines known for the Christmas Capital of the Philippines, and Tarlac, Philippines as Belenismo Capital of the Philippines.

Christmas in the Philippines may be the longest holiday celebration in the world. As soon as the “ber” 2 months kick in you see a transition to a more festive mood which lasts until January 6, the Feast of Epiphany or Three Kings. As early as September, colorful decorations line up the streets, Christmas carols start playing on the radio and everyone just brightens up with holiday cheer. Imagine being in this state for more than 4 months? There’s nothing quite like it.

And, most of all, we have the festival of lights from different regions making our Christmas nights a whole lot brighter.

Lets take a quick tour of the country's BEST CHRISTMAS DESIGNS:

5. Ayala Triangle Gardens Lights and Sound Show 

(Metro Manila, Philippines)

More than 1 million LED lights can now be found along Ayala Avenue at the Makati Central Business District, much to the delight of the employees walking to and fro its high-rise buildings. To combined to its grandeur, the annual Lights and Sounds Show will kick off on November 12 and continue until New Year, every 6 pm to 10 pm.

You have a week to get sticking date for one of the most indulgent Christmas displays!

4. Christmas Village 

(Malinao, Albay Philippines) 

One can experience Christmas around the world by just flying or riding the bus (or hitching a ride on Santa's sleigh) to Albay.

Made possible by the efforts of private citizen Dr. Floro Lliangko, Filipinos can enjoy the lighted replicas of the Eiffel Tower of Paris, Taj Mahal of India, Statue of Liberty of New York, and many more until the Feast of the Three Kings in January 2015.

 

3. Christmas Symbols Festival 

(Misamis, Occidental Philippines)

For the whole month of December, Tangubanons celebrate the festive Yuletide spirit through a display of giant parols (lanterns), arches, and booths erected at the town plaza and major roads.

The annual event started in 1992 when the first Christmas tree at the city center was lighted. By 2000, Tangub was recognized by the Department of Tourism as the "Christmas Symbols Capital of the Philippines."

The lighted spectacle is made even brighter every Christmas Eve as the sky is adorned by pyrotechnics.

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2. Giant Lantern Festival (San Fernando Pampanga, Philippines)

Parol being sold on the streets normally signals the start of the season. Parol is a Spanish term for lantern lighting up homes during this holiday. The parol represents the Star of Betlehem, which guided the Three Kings to find the stable where Jesus Christ was born. This is an iconic Christmas symbol in the Philippines and it can range from a very simple 5-pointed star made from Japanese paper to elaborate designs with LED lights. To celebrate this, there is even a Giant Lantern Festival held annually on the last Saturday before Christmas Eve in San Fernando, Pampanga. 

1. Belenismo Sa Tarlac (Tarlac, Philippines)

The Belen Capital of the Philippines has just launched its yearly exhibition of the nativity scenes -- life-size belens, at that!

Promoting Tarlac's cottage industry, it showcases the craftsmanship of the various towns through the use of recycled materials in putting up the iconic Christmas display.

  

“World's Longest Christmas Season and World's Best Christmas Design” was written by Maria Era Cecilia Nunag.