As far as I can remember, I joined my neighborhood friends when I was 7 and formed our own group of kid carolers. With our creative ingenuity, we equipped ourselves with makeshift instruments, including tambourines made of pipit na tension strung on a piece of wire and drums made from cans or biscuit tins, as we proudly sang the traditional song "Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit" out of our lungs, even out of tune.
The "batang yagit" sporting short pants, T-shirts or sandos and rubber slippers hopping from one house to another every day and night, and the same houses all throughout the Yuletide Season until January 9; singing Jingle Bells, Silent Night, White Christmas, Whispering Hope, Pasko Na Sinta Ko, Joy to the World, Pasko Na Naman, Sana Ngayong Pasko, Star ng Pasko and, Sa May Bahay". After rendering 3 or 4 songs, with the traditional chant of "Namamasko Po", we wait expectantly for the homeowners to reward us with coin, ranging from 0.50 centavos to 2.00 pesos. Afterward, we thank the generous homeowners by singing "Thank you, thank you, ang babait ninyo".
Some homeowners request non-Christmas songs. There was a drunk homeowner who asked us to sing "Lupang Hinirang," "Bahay Kubo," "My Way," "Maybe This Time," "Lead Me Lord," "Tanging Yaman," "May Bukas Pa," and "Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo." Despite the odds, we sang it with pride and were awarded 5.00 pesos—not bad.
Some stingy homeowners don't entertain carolers which we named "bahay patawad" and others refused to give us coins or drive us away from their house by simply uttering the traditional words "patawad", we return them a song "Thank you, thank you, ang babarat ninyo. Thank you" and start running away from their door.
After three hours of caroling, I still remember the delight I felt when my friends and I split our “earnings” each night.
I wonder if there are any Filipinos in the Philippines that has not experienced the Christmas caroling tradition? Iniisip ko kung ang mga batang mayayaman na kasing edad ko nuon from plush subdivisions ay nagkakaroling rin.
Ikaw, naranasan mo bang mag-karoling?
Bro, Ikaw ang Star ng Pasko and Christmas in our Hearts ❤️
Family is Love
Family is Forever
Thank You Ang Babait Ninyo
Thank You For The Love
Magmahalan Tayo Ngayong Pasko
Isang Pamilya Tayo Ngayong Pasko
Magkasama Tayo sa Kwento ng Pasko
Ikaw ang Liwanag at Ligaya
Isang Puso Ngayong Pasko
Andito Tayo Para sa Isa't Isa
Love Together, Hope Together
Atin ang Pasko, Kapatid
Sama-Samang Ihatid Ang Ibang Saya ng Pasko
Feel na Feel ang Paskong Kapatid
Hatid-Saya ang Paskong Kapatid
Makakarating Ngayong Pasko
Tayo ang Ligaya ng Isa't Isa
Pasko ang Pinakamagandang Kwento
Sa Araw ng Pasko
Pasko sa Pinas
"Ang Pasko ay Sumapit, Christmas in Our Hearts, Star ng Pasko, Thank You Ang Babait Ninyo yan po ang mga gusto ko pong awiting Pamasko"
"Star ng Pasko, Kumukutikutitap, Kampana ng Simbahan... all Christmas songs po..."
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