Philippines Kicks Off 'Ber Months' Christmas Countdown Four Months Early

MANILA, Philippines — The Christmas season in the Philippines unofficially begins in September, ushering in the "ber months"—a four-month countdown to the most anticipated holiday in the deeply Catholic nation. Across Metro Manila's bustling markets, plastic Santa Claus figures are already descending from shop ceilings, with displays overflowing with Christmas decor, even though the actual holiday is more than four months away. One shop, which began stocking shelves on July 31, is already packed with shoppers admiring Christmas trees, ornaments, reindeer figures, and nativity scenes. "We can smell it coming," said Cora Lansangan, 73, a sales clerk at a Christmas shop that has been busy since late July. Despite life's hardships, "even though life is hard, the mere sight of a Christmas tree brings us relief," shared Kathlene Santidad, 33, a real estate agent from Manila, who was hunting for tinsel and baubles with a P10,000 ($160) budget. She opted for early shopping to avoid the usual holiday crowds. Sociologist Mark Godwin Villareal from the University of Santo Tomas noted that the "ber months" often mark the end of the rainy season, typically plagued by destructive typhoons and floods. "It provides a kind of continuity and stability in our social life despite these economic, political or even personal challenges that we are facing as a community or society," he told AFP. Villareal explained the rhythm: September is for decorating, October for saving money for gifts and reunions, leading up to the Christmas Eve feast. More than 100,000 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), a crucial segment of the country's workforce, typically rush home for the main Christmas event. The extended season significantly boosts foot traffic and sales for the nation's vast shopping malls. Christian Mathay, senior assistant vice president for SM Supermalls, stated, "For Filipinos, Christmas symbolizes belonging, faith, hope and joy." He added that starting early allows shoppers more time to savor the experience. In Pampanga province, north of Manila, weeks of flooding that stranded thousands did not dampen the spirits of manufacturers of the star-shaped holiday lanterns known as "parol," a quintessential Filipino Christmas decoration. Angelica David, 26, a fifth-generation lantern-maker, said, "Water seeped into the showroom, so we had to clean up instead of working... the thing with lanterns is, they're waterproof." She urged people to buy lanterns after recovering from the floods. Decorations often remain until Jan. 6, Epiphany, the day the Three Magi are said to have brought gifts to the infant Jesus. Ricky Angeles, 51, a school superintendent on a Christmas shopping trip, prefers to keep his lantern hanging year-round, along with garden lights, stating, "We need a lengthy display period" to justify their cost. Information Source: Philstar Nation