In the Philippines, Christmas is one season of the year that every child waits for. It is a gift season and naturally children get the most gifts from their parents, grandparents, godparents and from titas and titos (aunts and uncles).
One activity that children take active part evry Christmas season is Christmas caroling.
Almost every children in the Philippines enjoy going for Christmas caroling.
They form a small group of 2-3 children or big group of 10-20 children. Just like Haloween in the U.S., children go from house to house singing their practiced Christmas songs and then eagerly wait for the housekeeper to give them some goodies or few coins.
Children first sing 2 or more Christmas songs and then sing Sa May Bahay ang Rming Bati to greet the housekeeper and let her know that the group is ready to move on to the next house The housekeeper may request for more songs before she gives her thanks in the form of goodies or coins.
Bati or Pagbati in Tagalog means greet or to greet in English.
IN the Philippines, respect to the elders is very important
We have a special way of showing our respect to the old people by greeting them by way of Mano. The Mano is, done by a young person gently holding the older person's left hand and putting the old persons hand on the young person's forehead white bowing.
This practice is most common even today when grandchildren greet their grandparents.
Also, when greeting aunts and uncles as well as godparents, we do the Mano.
The practice of Beso which is a gentle kiss to the cheek is done when greeting parents and friends.
