Planning to go caroling in the Philippines?
Early December mornings in the Philippines ring with the chaotic chorus of off-key but enthusiastic Christmas (pasko in Tagalog) carols filling the air. Groups of excited children scamper door-to-door carrying makeshift instruments and treats in hand, yet hopeful for even more goodies, coins, or cash gifted by supportive households. This treasured ritual is Paskuhan – a distinctly Pinoy holiday tradition marking the true arrival of Christmas on our tropical shores for another year.
You see, caroling or pamamasko here intertwines rich layers of history, faith, and cultural traditions, both old and new, into one harmonious – if sometimes a bit noisy! – expression. Over generations, Filipinos infused an abundance of playful pop culture flair into age-old favorites. Think less Silent Night and more Jingle Bells sung full gusto glee club-style while strumming ukeleles and makeshift tambourines!
Ready to discover what all the fuss and fun is about? Keep reading to join in the Pinoys’ fabulous, time-honored tradition of spreading Christmas spirit pamaskohan style!
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Caroling In The Philippines
The tradition of caroling has long, rich roots in the Philippines, dating back centuries to the Spanish colonial era. Around the 16th century, Catholic missionaries sailed with explorers across the seas to introduce their religion and customs to the archipelago. Christmas festivities quickly blended with indigenous rituals already celebrated in December, honoring ancestors and harvests.
One major import was the traditional Spanish carol or villancico – joyful, uptempo songs with lyrics telling the Nativity story. Guitars brought by the friars gave locals new instruments to start strumming out holiday tunes. Makeshift tambourines soon added percussive flair featuring native materials like bamboo.
By the 1700s, distinctive Filipino caroling tunes emerged from Buenos Aires to Intramuros, mixing Iberian folk influences with tribal chanting and poetic Tagalog verse. Today, signature carols like “Ang Pasko ay Sumapit” (Christmas Has Arrived) became mainstays still popular today. Jaunty secular songs also entered the playlist for going house-to-house while parols (star lanterns) lighted the way.
Through eras of upheaval from revolution to imperial rule, caroling remained a unifying force come Christmastime. Parish youth continued the door-to-door song rounds collecting aguinaldo (bonus) gifts despite bans on public religious displays over the centuries.
Filipino Christmas Songs
Forget simply singing softly in sanctuaries. Caroling the Filipino way is a whole acoustic extravaganza! Yet what makes Pinoys’ holiday harmonic stylings so distinct from the rest? Look no further than the classic carols that form the backbone of this enduring musical tradition.
Pasko Nanaman
While pan-Christian hymns have their place in the lineup, homegrown hits headline the nostalgic playlist. Take spirited songs like “Pasko Nanaman” – it’s the tuneful tagline carolers joyfully shout while making the door-to-door neighborhood rounds each year. Lyrics not only announce their arrival but share wishes for an abundant new year ahead.
| English Translation | Tagalog Lyrics |
|---|---|
| Christmas is here again, how fast the days go by | Pasko na naman, o kay tulin ng araw |
| The past Christmas seems just like yesterday | Paskong nagdaan tila ba kung kailan lang |
| Now that it’s Christmas, we should give thanks | Ngayon ay Pasko, dapat pasalamatan |
| Now that it’s Christmas, let us sing together | Ngayon ay Pasko, tayo ay mag-awitan |
| Christmas, Christmas, it’s Christmas again | Pasko, Pasko, Pasko na namang muli |
| The only day we look forward to the most | Tanging araw na ating pinakamimithi |
| Christmas, Christmas, it’s Christmas again | Pasko, Pasko, Pasko na namang muli |
| Love reigns | Ang pag-ibig naghahari |
| Christmas is here again, how fast the days go by | Pasko na naman, o kay tulin ng araw |
| The past Christmas seems just like yesterday | Paskong nagdaan tila ba kung kailan lang |
| Now that it’s Christmas, we should give thanks | Ngayon ay Pasko, dapat pasalamatan |
| Now that it’s Christmas, let us sing together | Ngayon ay Pasko, tayo ay mag-awitan |
| Christmas, Christmas, it’s Christmas again | Pasko, Pasko, Pasko na namang muli |
| The only day we look forward to the most | Tanging araw na ating pinakamimithi |
| Christmas, Christmas, it’s Christmas again | Pasko, Pasko, Pasko na namang muli |
| Love reigns | Ang pag-ibig naghahari |
| Christmas, Christmas, it’s Christmas again | Pasko, Pasko, Pasko na namang muli |
| The only day we look forward to the most | Tanging araw na ating pinakamimithi |
| Christmas, Christmas, it’s Christmas again | Pasko, Pasko, Pasko na namang muli |
| Love reigns | Ang pag-ibig naghahari |
| Christmas, Christmas, it’s Christmas again | Pasko, Pasko, Pasko na namang muli |
| The only day we look forward to the most | Tanging araw na ating pinakamimithi |
| Christmas, Christmas, it’s Christmas again | Pasko, Pasko, Pasko na namang muli |
| Love reigns | Ang pag-ibig naghahari |
Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit
“Ang Pasko ay Sumapit” is another instantly recognizable cultural icon conveying tidings of comfort and joy in Tagalog. Its poetic lyrics reimagine the classic Nativity scene with tropical flair as Joseph and Mary travel not across snowfields but bloom-filled landscapes under starry skies to cradle newborn Jesus.
| English Translation | Tagalog Lyrics |
|---|---|
| Christmas has arrived | Ang Pasko ay sumapit |
| Let’s all sing | Tayo ay mangagsiawit |
| Of beautiful melodies | Ng magagandang himig |
| Because God is love | Dahil sa Diyos ay pag-ibig |
| When Christ was born | Nang si Kristo’y isilang |
| Three kings came to visit | May tatlong haring nagsidalaw |
| And each one | At ang bawat isa |
| Offered their unique gifts | Ay nagsipaghandog ng tanging alay |
| New year, let’s change our lives | Bagong taon ay magbagong-buhay |
| For our country to be joyful | Nang lumigaya ang ating bayan |
| Let’s strive to achieve prosperity | Tayo’y magsikap upang makamtan natin ang kasaganahan |
| Let’s sing | Tayo’y mangagsiawit |
| While the world is quiet | Habang ang mundo’y tahimik |
| The day has come | Ang araw ay sumapit |
| For the baby sent from heaven | Sa sanggol na dulot ng langit |
| Let’s love each other | Tayo ay magmahalan |
| Let’s follow the golden rule | Ating sundin ang gintong aral |
| And from now on, even when it’s not Christmas, let’s give | At magbuhat ngayon kahit hindi pasko ay magbigayan |
| New year, let’s change our lives | Bagong taon ay magbagong-buhay |
| For our country to be joyful | Nang lumigaya ang ating bayan |
| Let’s strive to achieve prosperity | Tayo’y magsikap upang makamtan natin ang kasaganahan |
| Let’s sing | Tayo’y mangagsiawit |
| While the world is quiet | Habang ang mundo’y tahimik |
| The day has come | Ang araw ay sumapit |
| For the baby sent from heaven | Sa sanggol na dulot ng langit |
| Let’s love each other | Tayo ay magmahalan |
| Let’s follow the golden rule | Ating sundin ang gintong aral |
| And from now on, even when it’s not Christmas, let’s give | At magbuhat ngayon kahit hindi pasko ay magbigayan |
Sa May Bahay Ang Aming Bati
No Filipino Christmas songbook is complete without uplifting lyrics of “Sa May Bahay Ang Aming Bati” resounding through the streets. This upbeat Tagalog ode has been a signature holiday standard for generations of carolers spreading yuletide greetings. Loosely translated to “To the Owners of the House, We Bring Christmas Cheer,” its catchy chorus encapsulates the warm wishes Pinoys bear to neighborhood homes near and far each December. Kids often lead boisterous renditions of the hopeful song, joyfully dancing and playing homemade instruments as signs of the ever-exciting times.
| English Translation | Tagalog Lyrics |
|---|---|
| To the house owner, our greeting | Sa may bahay ang aming bati |
| A glorious Merry Christmas | Merry Christmas na maluwalhati |
| When love reigns | Ang pag-ibig, ‘pag siyang naghari |
| Every day will always be Christmas | Araw-araw ay magiging Paskong lagi |
| The reason for our visit | Ang sanhi po ng pagparito |
| Is to ask for a Christmas gift | Hihingi po ng aginaldo |
| If by chance we’re a nuisance | Kung sakaling kami’y perwisyo |
| Please excuse us as we’re caroling | Pasensiya na ‘pagkat kami’y namamasko |
| To the house owner, our greeting | Sa may bahay ang aming bati |
| A glorious Merry Christmas | Merry Christmas na maluwalhati |
| When love reigns | Ang pag-ibig, ‘pag s’yang naghari |
| Every day will always be Christmas | Araw-araw ay magiging Paskong lagi |
| The reason for our visit | Ang sanhi po ng pagparito |
| Is to ask for a Christmas gift | Hihingi po ng aginaldo |
| If by chance we’re a nuisance | Kung sakaling kami’y perwisyo |
| Please excuse us as we’re caroling | Pasensiya na ‘pagkat kami’y namamasko |
| The reason for our visit | Ang sanhi po ng pagparito |
| Is to ask for a Christmas gift | Hihingi po ng aginaldo |
| If by chance we’re a nuisance | Kung sakaling kami’y perwisyo |
| Please excuse us as we’re caroling | Pasensiya na ‘pagkat kami’y namamasko |
What To Give Carolers In The Philippines
The tunes don’t just stop once beloved Christmas songs reach their last chorus. Signature Filipino caroling customs live on in the lively interactions happening on either side of the threshold.
After their final bows, pint-sized carolers chorus together a hearty “Namamasko po!” meaning “We are caroling!” It serves as both an introduction and a hint of their hopeful expectation for a little holiday reward. Homeowners, in turn, may respond with “Sige ba, ano gusto ninyo? (Okay, what would you like?),” signaling candy or spare change to come.
Following the gift exchange, performers engage in acts of gratitude by singing the folk song “Thank You, Thank You, Ang Babait Ninyo,” offering earnest appreciation for the generosity. For me, this just shows that amidst the whirlwind of running house to house, Pinoys emphasize connecting cordially beyond just carols. These heartfelt exchanges reveal why many participate annually for more than material treats – it symbolizes community coming together.
Ready To Celebrate Christmas In The Philippines?
So there you have it – a little glimpse into this very vocal, very Pinoy Christmas tradition signature to these islands! You ready to make your holidays hearing-loss levels of noise and 100x more magical? Then grab some friends or family anywhere around the Philippines this December, and let the nostalgic caroling commence!
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