Christmas starts in September for Filipinos as expats in UAE miss 'ber-month' magic

For most UAE residents, September signifies the end of summer, but for Filipinos, it marks the beginning of the most wonderful time of the year - Christmas. The festive season extends across the 'ber months' of September, October, November, and December. As soon as these months arrive, Christmas begins in the Philippines, according to Ronn Unsay, a long-time UAE resident and telecoms project manager.

Filipinos in the UAE share the excitement with expats, kicking off decorations as early as September. Alyssa Marie Santiago, a Dubai resident, makes an effort to celebrate with her Filipino community, hosting gatherings, parties, and events. The atmosphere in the Philippines is infectious, with decorations on streets, Christmas songs from various corners, and families united.

Annabelle Astill, who has lived in the UAE for 13 years, remembers the Filipino tradition of putting up parols, colorful Christmas lanterns, and caroling from house to house. She also enjoys Filipino Christmas foods like noodles, spaghetti, ham, and fruit salad. Annabelle cooks up a storm for her own celebrations and misses the warm treats sold outside the church during Simbang Gabi, the nine Masses held from December 16 to Christmas Eve.

Filipino Christmas Day involved children dressed in new clothes visiting relatives, friends, neighbours, and godparents, receiving money as a sign of respect. The 'ber months' bring a financial boost in the Philippines, with employees receiving an extra month's pay in November and a Christmas bonus in December. Mary Grace Guino, now in the Philippines after 18 years in the UAE, has seen Christmas displays in malls as early as late August, which she finds a bit early for other nationalities.