Christmas Everyday

It's July, and we are half-way thru 2009, so to say a Merry Christmas would be a bit uncomfortable as we still have about 5 months more before the Christmas Season begins.

It is to be noted however, that Christmas Season in the Philippines begins on September 01 and ends on January when we celebrate the Three Kings. :)

Having been raised in the province, it was customary for us to attend the Simbang Gabi (the catholic mass which is held from December 16 to 24, and are usually conducted in the early morning). To complete the whole 9 days would mean that your wish would come true, as the old folks say.

During then, we look forward to hearing mass not only because we want to complete the whole 9 days but because we all know that right after we hear mass, we would be buying special bibingka (rice cake) before going home. Thus, our old folks jokingly tell us that we are just Simbang Bibingka (that we only hear mass because we want to buy bibingka afterwards).

Back then, the bibingkas were sold only during Christmas season. It is to my pleasant surprise, therefore, when I saw lately in the malls, that there are stalls and carts selling our favorite Bibingka- in and out of the Season!

One fine example is the Bibingkinitan, a cart business that sells freshly baked mini bibingkas for an affordable price.

Fell in love with the idea (and the taste) because it brings back good childhood memories in me. The delightful bibingka is at reach when we long for it.


After all, everyday must be Christams Day.