The Philippine Online Chronicles

Have you noticed the cooler air in the early morning? It’s just a sign that the “ber” months have begun.

It's November and the air is getting cooler. There is something distinctively special about these BER months as Filipinos celebrate the “ber” months with child-like excitement and joy.

It also prompts the people to start the Christmas countdown. It is a perfect excuse to indulge the child within us and have fun decorating our surroundings with colorful adornment and twinkling lights. For some, it’s like a panic siren that jolts them to the reality that they have to start making their Christmas list and buying gifts for family, friends, relatives, colleagues and especially the long list of inaanak.

As Christmas nears, the senses become more alive. After all, Christmas is a sensory experience. The best things about the Christmas season can be seen, heard, felt and tasted.

Cool “bed” weather

During the “ber” months, the northeastern monsoon (amihan) brings cold winds from the north which creates a nice and cool weather. Many Filipinos appreciate the cooler temperatures. It’s the kind of weather that makes you want to curl your toes under the blanket and stay longer in bed. It seems harder to get up in the morning. Sleep feels more enticing because the nights are longer.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), the presence of the northeast monsoon in the country will be more evident by October.

According to Pagasa forecaster Gener Quitlong, “Sa ngayon ang transition period. Mag-uumpisa yan pagdating September hanggang October.”

Quitlong said that the northern monsoon will bring winds coming from Siberia.

Layered clothing

When you go outside, the refreshing breeze gently blows your hair and kisses your skin. It’s the perfect time to bring out the light jackets and sweaters from the cabinets. “Ber” months give Filipinos an opportunity to try layering or simply putting together different pieces of clothing. It’s like a free pass to experiment on clothes and be more fashionable.

Yummy feasts

The cool season brings out the yearning for puto bungbong and bibingka. These delicacies become in demand in restaurants and mall food stalls. You’ll notice an increase of street vendors cooking these purple glutinous rice and sugar glazed rice cakes. They fill the air with an irresistible scent that causes your stomach to growl. These delicious treats are best eaten hot and they sell like hot cakes during the “ber” months especially during the week of Simbang Gabi. Hot chocolate also brings comfort during the cold evenings of the “ber” months.

Filipinos have a natural strong affinity to family and friends. It’s an ideal time for reunions to take place. Great company always calls for good food. When the “ber” months culminate during the month of December, family and friends enjoy getting together to partake in a symphony of delicious meals. Christmas ham and queso de bola are some of the traditional food delights that make it on the table. The well-loved lechon also becomes a favorite handa by those who can afford it. There is a clamor for all kinds of well-loved family recipes during gatherings. Parties and yummy feasts become more and more common as the “ber” months progress.

Shopping, gift giving

Filipinos are thoughtful and giving in nature. The “ber” months trigger their desire to make close family and friends happy by giving them gifts. Many Filipinos enjoy the adventure of shopping for gifts. Despite today’s tough economic situation, many Filipinos still find a way to remember their loved ones during Christmas.

Many bazaars or tiangges debut at the start of the “ber” months. A lot of big shopping malls go on mall-wide sales as Christmas draws nearer. Expect crowded malls and heavy traffic during sales. Some Filipinos wait for the release of their 13^th month and Christmas bonuses before they go shopping. People take advantage of “Year-End Sale” and “Clearance Sale” to make their last minute shopping.

Filipinos enjoy seeking out bargains and haggling in popular places like Divisoria, Baclaran, and Greenhills where their budget can be stretched longer.

Many Filipinos love organizing Kris Kringle activities at home and at work because it’s a fun and exciting way to exchange gifts.

Christmas spirit

Christmas carols began playing on radio stations. The first Christmas song that you hear on the start of the “ber” months brings a gentle tingle in your senses. Christmas is near!

Many families start bringing out their Christmas tree and decors from the storage. Family members work together to put up the Christmas tree and decorate it with colorful trimmings. As soon as the Christmas lights are turned on, the Christmas spirit finds its way inside the home creating a joyous atmosphere. Other decorations such as Christmas stockings, wreaths, bells and parols reinforce the festive mood.

Aside from homes, public places like offices, malls and streets are also adorned with different kinds of decors, parols and Christmas lights. Some even put up giant Christmas trees and life sized Nativity.

Christmas cards from families and friends abroad come pouring in the mail. In this digital age, electronic cards or e-cards seem to have overshadowed the snail mail.

As early as first week of December, young carolers make their way from house to house to sing Christmas carols. “Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit” becomes a never ending cycle at the last month of the year. The carolers hope to be rewarded with some loose change or if they are lucky a crisp peso bill. Expect to hear the line "Thank you, thank you, ang babait ninyo, thank you…" as their way to show appreciation. Unhappy carolers who didn’t get a single cent after they have rendered their song might retort to sing, "Thank you, thank you, ang babarat ninyo, thank you…"

Filipino children delight in the idea of Santa Claus. Even though Philippine homes do not generally have chimney for Santa Claus to access, the kids eagerly hang their stockings and pray that Santa will not forget their Christmas wishes.

The sights, smells, taste and sounds of the Christmas season have an enchanting way of bringing out the positive side in all of us. It’s difficult not to be drawn by the infectious joyful mood that circles the air.

Photo: “Paper Star Lanterns” by Piotr Włodarczyk, c/o Flickr. Some Rights Reserved.

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Rachel Yapchiongco, also known as Rach to her friends, is a Psychology and Marketing Management graduate of De La Salle University.  She took up her MBA at the same university.  Rachel is a full-time mom to a charming young boy and married to an entrepreneur with a passion for cooking. She shares parenting experiences and slices of everyday life on her personal blog called Heart of Rachel.