Asian Avenue magazine

Christmas in the Philippines is the most anticipated holiday of the year. The Philippines is noted for having the longest Christmas celebration in the world. A Filipino tradition that has passed down from generation to generation is Noche Buena, Spanish for “Good Night.” On Christmas Eve, family and friends gather after attending church service or mass. And, at midnight, the feast begins.

The sumptuous meal includes the national dish of the Philippines, chicken adobo, simmered in soy sauce, vinegar and spices and served with steamed rice. Filipino cuisine reflects the culinary influences from China, Malay, India, Thailand and Spain. There’s a blend of food offerings like pancit, stir-fried rice noodles to celebrate long life, and lumpia, crispy Filipino egg rolls with beef and vegetables.

Lechón is the centerpiece of the table. The whole roasted suckling pig is the ultimate feast and a Filipino favorite is to eat the crispy skin with a sweet and savory sauce.

The Spaniards left the Philippines with enduring culinary treats like leche flan, caramel custard, and paella, Spanish rice with saffron, chicken, sausage and seafood.

The embutido, Filipinostyle meatloaf, is sliced and served with ketchup. Tables are laden with food including banana lumpia (Leah’s creation), crisp pastry with tender sweet bananas inside and drizzled with caramel and chocolate sauce, a display of tropical fruit, sticky rice cakes, cassava cake, and halohalo, a drink that’s also a dessert, made with shaved ice, candied yams, fruit, cream, and if you are feeling decadent, ice cream on top.

The meal is complete with homemade fresh ginger tea called salabat. And, the feast starts all over again on Christmas morning.

Maligayang Pasko! Merry Christmas!

By Leah Eveleigh
Asian Avenue magazine