Caroling in our Paskong Pinoy

PASKONG PINOY is not complete without the spectacle of Christmas street carolers. It is said that caroling is an enduring and beautiful Filipino Christmas tradition. Once the month of December comes carolers will be on their feet singing carols from house to house spreading the spirit of the Christmas season through songs.

The usual scenario are children grouping together and going around house to house in the neighborhood to sing Christmas carols. Among the old time favorites are Jingle Bells, Silent Night, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Silver Bells. Also, traditional Filipino Christmas songs add to their repertoire of songs, like Ang Pasko ay Sumapit, Pasko Na Naman, Himig Pasko, Namamasko Ko Po, and even the popular Christmas songs of Jose Mari Chan.

And then we see Filipino ingenuity comes naturally with the handmade musical instruments made from bottle tops for tambourine, or drums fashioned out from used cans or biscuit tins. The children are happy with whatever amount from the generosity of people is shared with them. In appreciation, they usually end singing... "Thank you, thank you, ang babait ninyo... thank you..."

Now, in our generation even adults are into caroling during the Christmas season. Church organizations, clubs, and other adult groups do their caroling to raise funds. They usually give a letter in advance to inform the date and time of caroling, and the beneficiaries of their funds. They come with more professional musical instruments, like guitar, drums, tambourine, and even portable musical organ. Their songs and singing are well-rehearsed. Indeed, itt must be a wonderful feeling not only to spread the joy of the Yuletide Season through Christmas songs. but also to raise funds for their organizations or causes and advocacy.

In our Paskong Pinoy tradition, Christmas carols make the Yuletide Season livelier and more spirited. Our Christmas carolers, both young and adults, remind us that Christmas is really giving and sharing, and manifests the Filipino spirit of generosity and magnanimity.

Recall that at the height of the pandemic last year, we sorely missed Christmas carolers as civil authorities imposed lockdowns to prevent the spread of the pandemic. With the easing of pandemic restrictions this year, Christmas caroling will be allowed in areas under Alert Level 2 according to government authorities. Let's celebrate that this beautiful tradition of Paskong Pinoy is coming back this year.

TRIVIA:

There is no definitive history behind Christmas caroling. Where they originated, who wrote them, and how they evolved is unclear. Caroling is an oral tradition passed down from generation to generation.

Nonetheless, some historical accounts claim caroling is rooted in feudal societies, when poor citizens would "sing" for their supper in exchange for food or drink. Another theory is that carolers traveled door-to-door because they were not originally allowed to perform in churches. These are but stories and they don't have factual basis.

BUT regardless of its origin, our Paskong Pinoy is bleak without our usual Christmas carolers, the children and adults.

 WE wish you a Happy and Beautiful Christmas Caroling! Namamasko po!

Ad Jesum per Mariam!