This holiday season, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) brings the festive spirit of Paskong Pinoy to life, offering a deeper understanding of the country’s rich Christmas traditions through excerpts from the CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art (CCP EPA).
Your Gateway to Philippine Arts
The CCP EPA is the definitive source of information on Philippine arts and culture, boasting over 5,000 meticulously researched articles compiled by over 500 scholars, experts, and writers from top universities and institutions. This authoritative encyclopedia covers the full spectrum of Philippine arts, including architecture, visual arts, film, music, dance, theater, broadcast arts, literature, and more.
The print edition spans 12 volumes, while the digital edition (CCP EPAD) features all the articles and includes over 5,000 photos, as well as hundreds of video excerpts from plays, music, and dance performances, drawn from the CCP’s extensive video archives. The EPAD, first published in 1994 and updated in 2018, serves as an invaluable record of the Filipino artistic contributions to the global stage.
All About Paskong Pinoy
This Christmas season, the CCP shares a glimpse into the country’s beloved holiday traditions and music through select articles from the CCP EPA:
Christmas Traditions
- Pastores: Derived from the Spanish word for “shepherds,” Pastores is a dramatization of the shepherds’ adoration of the Infant Jesus in Bethlehem, typically performed during the Christmas season. It may also refer to a group of singers dressed as shepherds who go caroling from house to house, spreading festive cheer.
- Tatlong Hari: This tradition centers around the Three Kings, or Magi, who traveled from the East to worship the Infant Jesus in Bethlehem. The practice is a cherished part of the Christmas celebration in the Philippines.
- Villancico: A Spanish musical form consisting of stanzas linked by a refrain, Villancicos were originally sung during the Misa de Aguinaldo (nine-day dawn Masses) to honor the Virgin Mary, beginning December 16. The Misa Pastorela includes these songs, along with the Mass Ordinary, such as Kyrie and Gloria.
Holiday Music
- Simbanggabi: Composed by National Artist for Music Lucio San Pedro in 1963, Simbanggabi is a popular piece in Christmas choral music competitions. Dedicated to the Ateneo Glee Club, it captures the essence of the dawn Mass tradition.
- Ang Pasko ay Sumapit: Originally written in Cebuano by Mariano Vestil in 1933, this song was later translated into Tagalog by National Artist for Music and Literature Levi Celerio. The song is a joyful anthem of Filipino Christmas celebration.
- Pasko Na Naman: Created in 1965 by National Artists Felipe Padilla de Leon and Levi Celerio, this song is a staple in the Misa de Aguinaldo, capturing the excitement and warmth of the Christmas season.
- Pasko Na, Sinta Ko: A poignant Christmas song about lost love, first performed by the Traders Royal Bank Chorale in 1976. Later recorded by Gary Valenciano in 1986, it remains a beloved holiday classic.
- Christmas in Our Hearts: From the bestselling album by Jose Mari Chan, Christmas in Our Hearts became the first OPM album to be awarded Double Diamond status in 2006. The title track, featuring a duet between Chan and his daughter Liza, celebrates the joy and togetherness of a Filipino Christmas.
Learn More About Paskong Pinoy
To explore more about the history and traditions of Filipino Christmas, subscribe to the CCP EPAD. Subscriptions are available starting at P75 per month or P675 per year via the official CCP website at https://epa.culturalcenter.gov.ph/encylopedia.
Celebrate the spirit of Paskong Pinoy with the CCP, and enrich your understanding of the unique cultural traditions that make the Filipino holiday season truly special.
