Why do Filipinos start celebrating Christmas in September?

Good for them nice time to start for here in the states most people wit till after thanksgiving but not me I start the decoration up Nov 1st!

Hi there! Yesterday I was wondering why my friend had called and greet me a Merry Christmas, then suddenly I remember yes, it was the first day of the BER month. As we are residing abroad a Muslim country in particular, we can't feel the nearness of the yuletide season that we have in our home country, moreso that still we are suffering from hot summer season here. I really miss the BER months at home when you will see from the malls all kinds of christmas decors, christmas songs being played everywhere and people who are preparing for christmas gifts and parties. Merry Christmas!

Of all the celebrations here in the Philippines Christmas is the favorite holidays here in our country. that is why as early as September many things that remind us of Christmas are being introduced already. That means we are starting to look forward for that day to come to us. So when the "Ber" months do come we start on our Christmas mode already. By the next two months it will become more prominent to see and hear things about Christmas again.

Maybe in the early mood?? lol =D As december has got a 'ber' at the end of it, and thus filipinoes will associate all 'ber' months with december which happens to be christmas, and it's a holiday, meant for catholics or christians, whatever it is.. lol =D PLus, it's almost at year end, whereby it's rainy season as well, thus making it seems like winter in european countries.. haha =D If i'm not wrong, christmas is widely celebrated in philippines due to majority of u are into christ, thus it's not strange to be celebrating early.. lol =D

I think most of it comes from the anticipation of the holidays together with our fun-loving nature.Ü

It is because September is the beginning of the BER months. Every year filipinos start our Christmas spirit at the 1st BER of the month and that is SEPTEMBER. And YES, September is the time that start to get cold, or should I say rainy season because we don't have winter here.

I really don't know except for the reason that the month starts with -ber and since December is the last month ending with that suffix it makes the highlight more exciting. I've been to two countries so far and there's nothing like Christmas in the Philippines. When I was in Bangkok it was understandable because they are Buddhists. But when I moved here in the UK I was shocked. Christmas was very silent. It was even more exciting in Bangkok because lately they are starting to adapt the holiday season maybe for the tourists' and expats' sake and it's so much fun. The whole city is ablazed with Christmas lights and gigantic Christmas trees are seen from the airport to the malls. Oh, I really miss Philippine Christmas. The houses all lit with Christmas lights and with Parol hanging inside and outside the houses, the sound of Christmas carols on the radio everyday and in the malls. Whatever the reason is, I love it and I miss it.

When i was in grade school... that was the time when the climate was still like normal... very little talk about global warming... when September comes... the weather becomes a little colder... so that means the end of the long hot summer sun... rains will come but not the very strong ones... so people start preparing for Christmas... since the cold weather is always associated with this holiday... So now... even if it is still blazing hot in September... some people still consider this as the start of the Christmas season... so Christmas does start early in the Philippines...

Hello friend. It is a good discussion of yours. I am also wondering why it is not celebrated in December like many other countries that celebrate it. I wish that I could find some answers here for it. Thank you for the discussion.

we do? i dont think that it applies to every single Filipino. if it is about retailing then i can not blame them the earlier the better so that they can sell many of those parol or christmas decorations. but that does not mean we are celebrating, that means we are preparing. me and my wife starts buying our christmas gifts for everybody we know when the ber months starts. but we put out christmas decor usually on the first week of december

Hmmm, because we are a happy people and Christmas is the happiest moment. Anyway, my brother texted me early September 1st. In my city, the stores are not yet gearing up for Christmas unlike 5-10 years ago that September is really the month when stores spruce up on decors and everything Christmas. Then I have not heard the Christmas songs on the radio except for a DJ greeting a merry Christmas to everyone. I guess in my city the people are still facing some of the recession. But here, Christmas is alive after the November fiesta.

Maybe because Filipinos are known people with a jolly attitude who look Christmas as the happiest celebration on Earth and the most special. Personally, I always got excited when the month of September is coming and always look forward for a wonderful Christmas holiday.

I know, but i am not complaining. I love the holiday season and when the calendar enters the -ber months, the spirit of joviality and celebration begins. I guess that is just the way Filipinos are, which reflect the value to put into this particular time of the year. :)

Well, I've noticed that it's not only the Philippines that does this, but a lot of other countries too! Like even in Australia you can start hearing Christmas Carols in September. I think it's to remind everyone that Christmas is coming and to get ready for the best season of the year! Also, as stone boy mentioned, it's for marketing and so that malls will get more packed and earn more money. Then again, isn't that what all holidays are for?

If there's one reason i know that Filipinos start Christmas season on September, it's because most want to prepare for everything. like Gifts, decorations, foods and other stuff. by the time of October you will see a lot of people selling some Christmas Lights and lamps. for me, it's a way to be ready for the 25th of december

I really have no idea. But my idea to this is that Filipinos take ber month as start of the festive and preparing for Christmas. There is no logical explanation for us to celebrate Christmas this early since it is 3-4 months early.

So true. I was driving around earlier today, and I noticed the paper and plastic stars being sold on every street corner already. I've lived here (in Manila) a number of years now, and from what I've seen, I think it has more to do with the state of the economy. A strange thing to say, considering what's happening everywhere else, but the Philippines is not like anywhere else, is it? I suppose the fact this country is in a perpetual state of financial crisis, external market conditions have little effect anymore. That said, it's been a good year. The better the state of the economy, the earlier people here celebrate. I remember a few years ago when no one was selling the paper stars till mid October. That was a bad year, clearly. A fascinating trait I find about people here is that, regardless of their financial situation, they tend to be genuinely happy. It's almost obscene, I tell you. I can't help but wonder, at times, if I haven't ended up on another planet. The way I see it, people here are always celebrating. Christmas just happens to be coming up. Everyday is a celebration here, of life, of love, of friendship, of family, of simply being. I have this nagging suspicion that if there was a hell, and you had a group of Filipinos sliding down into it, you would hear something like: "Well! At least we'll be warm! How wonderful! Wheee!" Amazing, joy-filled people. Merry Christmas!