What is a Ber Month? Well, its septemBER, OctobBER, NovemBER and DecemBER. That’s how they are referred to here in the Philippines and it also means Christmas has officially started in the Philippines. That’s right, Merry Christmas in September. Yes, I’m amused. No, I’m not making fun of the Philippines. Its possible to be amused and respectful too.
The Philippines, The Land of Christmas
What’s so wrong with Christmas lasting more than a quarter of a year? What’s wrong with people singing Christmas music in the streets for four months of the year. Not a thing!
Last night I went for a short walk to Jose Rizal Park here in Bogo Town. After a few moments, Jessie scoffed when she heard someone singing Christmas music. I thought, then I said, wait, its the Ber months. I had forgotten all about that. That Christmas starts in September here. I’m sure if I went to Jollibee’s (fast food store) I would hear Christmas music.
“Well that’s just insane, that’s not how we do in the USA.” I don’t know how any expat could still use those words after living here for
Christmas Decoration In the Philippines
a very short time. Its not insane because its not the USA. Come on people, its not rocket science, its not the USA its the Philippines. Oh well, people might be tired of hearing me complain about the complainers.
Yeah Yeah Yeah, people will be asking where’s my Christmas. One cannot be more removed from the spirit and meaning of Christmas than by asking that question. Its not about what you get. Its about being at peace with the good news that God has come to earth to live as a man. You know what, I think Christ would have us give anyway.
But even during that time, how did many of us humans react? We complained. Jesus, from Nazareth no less, a King? ”How ridiculous is that” the people in power scoffed. God walked amongst us and we didn’t understand. I can see a bunch of old leaders standing around, drinking and saying “not the way they did it in Jerusalem.”
So lighten up, enjoy the Christmas season. Well try. By the end of January you might very well be sick of it, but try. ”January you say?” That’s right, Christmas is not over on December 25. Instead it carries over into part of January. Oh come on, be happy about it. Don’t worry about those that abuse it and enjoy the real meaning of Christmas. I’m not going to tell you what that is. I know you already know. Its Christmas in the Philippines, so just enjoy it! Don’t be the Scrooge of the Philippines! After all, look at me. I am Santa Claus and that’s not an aswang, its Rudolph. He’ll guide my sleigh through the next typhoon.
Its all how you see it! What a wonderful place where its Christmas nearly half the year!
Tagged with: Christmas In The Phlippines • Philippines
Filed under: Christmas In The Philippines • Expats Living in Cebu • Filipino Culture • Living In The Philippines
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Hi Rusty,
It’s good to see that you are in sinc with the Fiipino people. I’m an agnostic who celebrates Christmas for the joy of it. I just enjoy the merriment. It can bite the wallet though, especially with your posted exchange rate of $1 to $42 and it has to last the entire four months. We are somber here in the good old U.S. as it is the eve of 9/11. I will listened to Vivaldi tonight, just to lift my spirits up. Have a great “Ber” season.
Hi Rusty,
I need to make a correction here of the current exchange rate of $1 to 42 pesos.
I do that all the time Rosleyn, but I will say the peso dollar value backward. I better check to make sure I didn’t do that here. Just read what I mean to write. haha If you like, I’ll go in and edit it for you.
You’re a pretty lady.
I like Mozart and Beethoven.. I prefer Beethoven’s piano the best. When I’m not listening to Joan Jett and Alice Cooper.
Yeah, I mentioned to this to some of my Western friends and they almost always respond with disgust. Its about money here too, to some extent but far less so.
Filipino singing Christmas tunes in the street has nothing to do with money, well, not always. When a group of kids surrounds me and starts signing then it is. I usually don’t even carry any money on me though.
Hi Rusty,
Thanks for the compliment. My father had a great deal of influence on me, so appearance is secondary only to the mental capacity. My Filipino-American father used to say, “Look like a woman, but think like a man.” He didn’t like manly-looking women. It is interesting to know that childen surround you and will start singing Christmas songs. My father used to stuff his pockets with candy when I was young. There were these creamy hard candy called “White Rabbit”, which were individually wrapped. He used to give them to the children after they sang the entire song! They get pretty winded.
You’re a spirited invidual. Beethoven, Joan Jett, and Alice Cooper are akin to the “Waray, Waray” song. I prefer the Waray song with the Waray lyrics not the Tagalog. (My mother was from Leyte.)
Its my pleasure, I just wish these Gravatar images were larger. Hey they don’t call me Flirtilizer for nothing….I’m harmless, usually
And your waray so that explains that.
There is a Waray Waray song? I did not know that. I need to find the lyrics. Maybe I can make find an English translation too.
Passion? Yes and it sometimes gets me into trouble.
And for Christine its not always because of the “lusty” name you gave me. LOL I never know when to keep my mouth shut.
If you ever get in inspired to write about the Philippines for me, I’d love to have it. I’ve been meaning to advertise for guest authors.
Hi Rusty,
I’d be glad to send you an article. Please post your contact site (for guest writers) so that you can review the article. You can accept it, reject it or edit it as you see fit. We don’t want you to get in trouble.
Regarding the Waray, Waray song, Eartha Kit has a version in Tagalog and there is another one that I can’t remember who sang it. Lea Salonga sang this song as well. You can get a download easily in the internet. With your high spirits, I’m sure that you will like the song. This is the only song that I like in Filipino so far.
As for “flirtilizing”, my late father admired beauty but knew his bounderies and responsibilities. He was simply an admirer of beautiful women. So, no need to apologize for appareciating beautiful things. Compliments are good.
A daughter is special person. When my daughter was a teen, i looked at her and realized that I look at her differently from any other woman on earth. No matter how beautiful she was there was no thoughts along those lines, zero. It was the absences of those thoughts that where special to me. I k now some are deviant even in this relationship so boundaries never came into my mind, in how your father saw you. For me and my understanding, its not a boundary, its just not even a possibility and the absence of any thought along those lines is very special to me. I would be surprised to find it any different for your father or any other man. Though, I know sometimes, some men don’t have that and its s shame. No need to explain at all.
I think you can register on the sidebar but I might have turned that off as the spammers were driving me nuts. I’ll check on that and get it for you.
Yes, down at the bottom, on the left hand side of the screen, there is a “block” that shows Register or Login. Click the register link. I think it shows a login screen, below that there is a blue link to register. Or go here and there will be a http://cebuexperience.com/wp-login.php . I think that will work too.
While i was testing, I found the login link too: http://cebuexperience.com/wp-login.php?action=register
Waray-Waray Song Tagalog version is a good natured ribbing of the Waray Waray temper…. They are known as the warriors of the Philippines and also as “the red heads” off the Philippines
Waray Waray original version:
Hi Rusty,
I registered at your site and left a message with my email. Thanks.
You’ve been approved.. Take a look and see if you have an add new post button once you go to login link at the bottom right.
Put a short bio in there or a long one, either is fine.
Thanks for registering I look forward to your article(s)
Hi Rusty,
I love your videos. Thanks a bunch. I like the original Waray version best.
I saw someone complaining about the tagalog version. Some people need a serious infusion of a sense of humor.
I only understand a little and that’s of the Tagalog version.