Christmas in the Philippines
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Christmas is one of the biggest holidays in the Philippines. As one of the two predominantly Catholic countries in Asia, the Philippines celebrates the world's longest Christmas season ; Christmas music is played as early as August. The holiday season gradually begins by September, reaching its peak in December during Christmastide, and concludes within the week after New Year's Day, more specifically on the Sunday of Epiphany; however, festivities could last until the third Sunday of January, the feast day of the Santo Niño de Cebú. Liturgically, the Christmas season is observed by the Catholic Church in the Philippines from Christmas Day to the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
Parols and Christmas lights on display at night. The parol is regarded as an iconic and important symbol of the Filipino Christmas season.
The altar of the Manila Cathedral decorated with Christmas trees for Simbang Gabi.
Typical traditional noche buena meal in the Philippines, with a lechón as the centerpiece
Panunulúyan in Ibaan, Batangas
Public holidays in the Philippines
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Public holidays in the Philippines are of two types: regular holidays and special non-working days.
A graphic from the Office of the President of the Philippines showing the difference in pay between the two types of holidays.