Merry Christmas!

Day 1,862, 08:24 • Published in Philippines Philippines • by Vincenzo Roque


Here in the Philippines, Christmas is a very special occasion. It's so special that Christmas season usually spans from September (-ber months) up to the second week of January (Epiphany). Being a special occasion, we have many practices during Christmas. Along with this is our many songs about Christmas. I want to share to you some of these (with English translation for the non RL Filipinos).

I already started with this through the following articles:
1. Kumukutikutitap
2. Pasko na Sinta ko
3. Himig ng Pasko
4. Sa may Bahay ang Aming Bati

Here's 8 more songs to bring it to a total of 12:

5. First, here's a song about our tradition of Simbang Gabi or Night/Dawn Mass which is a 9-day series of Masses devoted to the Blessed Virgin in anticipation of Christmas.
KAMPANA NG SIMBAHAN

I-
Kampana ng simbahan ay nanggigising na
At waring nagsasabi na tayo’y magsimba
Magbangon at magbihis tayo’y magsilakad
At masiglang tunguhin ang ating simbahan

II -
Kinagisnan nang simbang Gabi
'Wag Natin limutin
Pagkat tayo’y may tungkulin
Sa pananalangin

III-
Ang Kampana ng simbahan ay nanggigising na
Tayo Naman Lahat ay manalangin
Habang nagsisimba

*ulitin ang I

IV -
Ang kampana’y tuluyang nanggigising
Upang tayong lahat ay manalangin
Ang bendisyon kapag nakamtan na
Tayo’y magkakaroon ng higit na pag-asa

* Ulitin ang IV
* Ulitin ang I
* Ulitin ang IV nang dalawang beses

Tayo’ magkakaron ng higit ng pag-asa
CHURCH BELLS

I-
The church bells are already awakening us
As if telling us to hear Mass
Get up and get dressed, let's leave now
And enthusiastically go to our church

II -
Traditional Dawn Masses
Let's not forget
Because it's our duty
To pray

III-
The church bells are already awakening us
Let us all pray
While hearing Mass

*Repeat I

IV -
The church bells eventually awaken us
So that we all pray
When we receive the blessing
We will have more hope

* Repeat IV
* Repeat I
* Repeat IV twice

We will have more hope


6. Next, here's a song about someone missing his/her special someone during Christmas.

SANA NGAYONG PASKO

Pasko na naman ngunit wala ka pa
Hanggang kailan kaya ako maghihintay sayo
Bakit ba naman kailangang lumisan pa
Ang tanging hangad ko lang ay makapiling ka

REFRAIN:
Sana ngayong Pasko ay maalala mo pa rin ako
Hinahanap-hanap pag-ibig mo
At kahit wala ka na
Nangangarap at umaasa pa rin ako
Muling makita ka at makasama ka
Sa araw ng Pasko...
(Ulitin)

Sana ngayong Pasko... 		HOPE THAT THIS CHRISTMAS

It's Christmas again but you're still gone
Until when will I wait for you
Why do you need to leave
My only wish is to be with you

REFRAIN:
Hope that this Christmas you still remember me
Looking for your love
And even though you're gone already
I'm still dreaming, hoping
To see you again and be with you
On Christmas day...
(Repeat)

Hope that this Christmas...

7. This next song is about celebrating Christmas amidst a lot of problems, especially poverty.

TULOY NA TULOY PA RIN ANG PASKO

O bakit kaya tuwing pasko ay dumarating na
Ang bawa't isa'y para bang namomroblema
Hindi mo alam ang regalong ibibigay
Ngayong kay hirap na nitong ating buhay

Meron pa kayang caroling at noche buena
Kung tayo naman ay kapos at wala nang pera
Nakakahiya kung muling pagtaguan mo
Ang 'yong mga inaanak sa araw ng pasko.

[refrain]
Ngunit kahit na anong mangyari
Ang pag-ibig sana'y maghari
Sapat nang si Hesus ang kasama mo
Tuloy na tuloy parin ang pasko

Mabuti pa nga ang pasko noong isang taon
Sa ating hapag mayroong keso de bola't hamon
Baka sa gipit, happy new year mapo-postpone
At ang hamon ay mauuwi sa bagoong

[refrain]

(instrumental)

[refrain]

[coda]
Tuloy na tuloy pa rin (tuloy na tuloy pa rin)
Tuloy na tuloy pa rin (tuloy na tuloy pa rin)
Tuloy na tuloy pa rin ang pasko
Tuloy na tuloy pa rin ang pasko

Sa kapimilya mo tuloy ang pasko..... 		CHRISTMAS WILL STILL PUSH THROUGH

O why is it that everytime Christmas comes
Everyone seems to have troubles
You don't know what gifts to give
Now that we are having hard times

Will there still be caroling and noche buena
If we are lacking money
It's embarrassing to hide again
From your godchildren on Christmas Day

[refrain]
But whatever happens
Love should reign
It's enough that Jesus is with you
Christmas will still push through

Christmas last year was better
In our table, there's Edam and ham
Because of our situation, happy new year might be postponed
And the ham will be replaced by shrimp paste

[refrain]

(instrumental)

[refrain]

[coda]
It will still push through (It will still push through)
It will still push through (It will still push through)
Christmas will still push through
Christmas will still push through

With your family, Christmas will still push through

8. This now talks about the Noche Buena tradition in the Philippines where we have a banquet the night before Christmas.

NOCHE BUENA

Kay sigla ng gabi
Ang lahat ay kay saya
Nagluto ang Ate ng manok na tinola
Sa bahay ng Kuya ay mayro’ng litsonan pa
Ang bawat tahanan may handang iba’t iba

Tayo na giliw
Magsalo na tayo
Mayro’n na tayong
Tinapay at keso
Di ba Noche Buena
Sa gabing ito
At bukas ay araw ng pasko 		NOCHE BUENA

The night is so lively
Everyone is so happy
Ate cooked chicken tinola
In Kuya's house there's even lechon
Every home has their own food prepared

Let's go now darling
Let's eat with them
We already have
Bread and Cheese
Isn't it Noche Buena
this night
And tomorrow is Christmas Day

9. This now tackles the point of Christmas which is offering one's self to others.

LUMILIWANAG ANG MUNDO SA KWENTO NG PASKO

Hindi lang sa langit nandun ang mga bituin
Pag nasilayan ang pag-asa mata mo rin ay may ningning
Hindi lang sa langit nandun ang mga anghel
May nagaalay ng kabutihan hindi mo man hingin

Ang magbigay ng sarili sa isa't isa
Ito ang kwento ng Pasko ito'y liwanag ng mundo

Dumarami ang mga tala tuwing kapaskuhan
Sa atin nagmumula ang kaliwanagan
Dumarami ang mga tala tuwing kapaskuhan
Dalhin natin ang pagpapala sa bawat tahanan

Ilang ulit man ng dilim sa buhay nati'y dumating
'Di papanaw di mauubos ang mga bituin

Ang magbigay ng sarili sa isa't isa
Ito ang kwento ng Pasko ito'y liwanag ng mundo

Dumarami ang mga tala tuwing kapaskuhan
Sa atin nagmumula ang kaliwanagan
Dumarami ang mga tala tuwing kapaskuhan
Dalhin natin ang pagpapala sa bawat tahanan
Dumarami ang mga tala tuwing kapaskuhan
Sa atin nagmumula ang kaliwanagan yeah
Dumarami ang mga tala tuwing kapaskuhan
Sa atin nagmumula ang kaliwanagan

Ang liwanag ng Pasko ay kwento ng katuparan
Ng pangako ng Diyos sa buong sanlibutan

Dumarami ang mga tala tuwing kapaskuhan
Sa atin nagmumula ang kaliwanagan
Dumarami ang mga tala tuwing kapaskuhan
Dalhin natin ang pagpapala sa bawat tahanan
Dumarami ang mga tala tuwing kapaskuhan
Sa atin nagmumula ang kaliwanagan

Dumarami ang mga tala singdami ng pagpapala
Lumiliwanag ang mundo sa kwento ng Pasko 		THE WORLD LIGHTS UP IN THE STORY OF CHRISTMAS


Not only in the sky are there stars
When you catch a glimpse of hope your eyes too will twinkle
Not only in heaven are there angels
Some offer kindness even if not asked

Offering one's self to others
This is the story of Christmas, the light of the world

The stars multiply during Christmastime
The light starts from us
The stars multiply during Christmastime
Let's bring the grace to every home

However often does darkness comes in our lives
The stars will not die, not be consumed

Offering one's self to others
This is the story of Christmas, the light of the world

The stars multiply during Christmastime
The light starts from us
The stars multiply during Christmastime
Let's bring the grace to every home
The stars multiply during Christmastime
The light starts from us
The stars multiply during Christmastime
The light starts from us

The light of Christmas is the story of the coming true
Of God's promise to the whole world

The stars multiply during Christmastime
The light starts from us
The stars multiply during Christmastime
Let's bring the grace to every home
The stars multiply during Christmastime
The light starts from us

The stars multiply as much as the graces
The world lights up in the story of Christmas

10. This next one tackles the true protagonist of Christmas which is no other than our brother Jesus.

BRO, IKAW ANG STAR NG PASKO

Kung kailan pinakamadilim
Ang mga tala ay mas nagniningning
Gaano man kakapal ang ulap
Sa likod nito ay may liwanag

Ang liwanag na ito
Nasa 'ting lahat
May sinag ang bawat pusong bukas
Sa init ng mga yakap
Maghihilom ang lahat ng sugat

Ang nagsindi nitong ilaw
Walang iba kundi ikaw
Salamat sa liwanag mo
Muling magkakakulay ang pasko
Salamat sa liwanag mo
Muling magkakakulay ang pasko

Tayo ang ilaw sa madilim na daan
Pagkakapit bisig lalong higpitan
Dumaan man sa malakas na alon
Lahat tayo'y makakaahon

Ang liwanag na ito
Nasa 'ting lahat
May sinag ang bawat pusong bukas
Sa init ng mga yakap
Maghihilom ang lahat ng sugat

Ang nagsindi nitong ilaw
Walang iba kundi ikaw
Salamat sa liwanag mo
Muling magkakakulay ang pasko
Salamat sa liwanag mo
Muling magkakakulay ang pasko

Kikislap ang pag-asa
Kahit kanino man

Dahil ikaw Bro, dahil ikaw Bro
Dahil ikaw Bro
Ang star ng pasko

Salamat sa liwanag mo
Muling magkakakulay ang pasko
Salamat sa liwanag mo
Muling magkakakulay ang pasko

Ang nagsindi nitong ilaw
Walang iba kundi ikaw
Salamat sa liwanag mo
Muling magkakakulay ang pasko

Ang nagsindi nitong ilaw
Walang iba kundi ikaw
Salamat sa liwanag mo
Muling magkakakulay ang pasko

Ang nagsindi nitong ilaw
Walang iba kundi ikaw
Salamat sa liwanag mo
Muling magkakakulay ang pasko

Dahil ikaw Bro, dahil ikaw Bro
Dahil ikaw Bro
Ang star ng pasko! 		BRO, YOU ARE THE STAR OF CHRISTMAS

At the darkest times
The stars twinkle the most
However thick our the clouds
Behind this, there's light

This light
is within us
Each open heart has a glint
In the warmth of the embraces
The wounds will heal

The one who lit this light
Is no other than you
Thank you for your light
Christmas will be colorful again
Thank you for your light
Christmas will be colorful again

We are the light in the dark paths
Tighten our holding hands more
If ever we encounter a huge wave
We can all get out

This light
is within us
Each open heart has a glint
In the warmth of the embraces
The wounds will heal

The one who lit this light
Is no other than you
Thank you for your light
Christmas will be colorful again
Thank you for your light
Christmas will be colorful again

Hope will spark
In whoever

Because of you Bro, Because of you Bro
Because of you Bro
The star of Christmas

Thank you for your light
Christmas will be colorful again
Thank you for your light
Christmas will be colorful again

The one who lit this light
Is no other than you
Thank you for your light
Christmas will be colorful again

The one who lit this light
Is no other than you
Thank you for your light
Christmas will be colorful again

The one who lit this light
Is no other than you
Thank you for your light
Christmas will be colorful again

Because of you Bro, Because of you Bro
Because of you Bro
The star of Christmas

11. This second to the last song is one of the classic Filipino songs about Christmas.

PASKO NA NAMAN

Pasko Na Naman
O Kay tulin ng araw
Paskong nagdaan,
Tila ba kung kailan lang
Ngayon ay Pasko,
Dapat pasalamatan
Ngayon ay Pasko
Tayo ay mag-awitan

Koro:
Pasko! Pasko!
Pasko na namang muli!
Tanging araw na ating
pinakamimithi,
Pasko! Pasko!
Pasko na namang muli!
Ang pag-i–big
naghahari. 		CHRISTMAS ONCE AGAIN

Christmas once again
O the time is very fast
The past Christmas,
As if it is just recent
Today is Christmas,
We should really be thankful
Today is Christmas
Let us sing songs

Koro:
Christmas! Christmas!
It's Christmas once again!
The only day that we're
really waiting for,
Christmas! Christmas!
It's Christmas once again!
Love will surely
prevail.

12. This last song, in my opinion, is the most famous Christmas song in the Philippines being sung wherever there are Filipinos all over the world.

ANG PASKO AY SUMAPIT

Ang Pasko ay sumapit
Tayo ay mangagsiawit
Ng magagandang himig
Dahil sa ang Diyós ay pag-ibig

Nang si Kristo'y isilang
May tatlóng haríng nagsidalaw
At ang bawat isa ay nagsipaghandog
Ng tanging alay.

Koro:
Bagong Taon ay magbagong-buhay
Nang lumigaya ang ating Bayan
Tayo'y magsikap upang makamtán
Natin ang kasaganaan!

Tayo'y mangagsiawit
Habang ang mundo'y tahimik.
Ang araw ay sumapit
Ng Sanggol na dulot ng langit.

Tayo ay magmahalan,
Ating sundin ang Gintong Aral
At magbuhat ngayon,
Kahit hindì Pasko ay magbigayan 		CHRISTMAS HAS ARRIVED

Christmas has arrived
Let us go singing
Beautiful hymns
For God is love.

When Christ was born,
There were three kings who did visit,
And each one did present
A unique offering.

Chorus:
'Tis New Year, so we must reform our lives
That our Nation might be happy;
Let us work hard that we might achieve
Prosperity!

Let us go singing,
Whilst the world is silent.
The day has arrived,
Of the Infant sent from heaven.

Let us love one another,
Let us follow the Golden Rule,
And from this moment forth-
Though it not be Christmas-let us share.

Wishing you a merry christmas,

VINCENZO ROQUE
Proudly Pinoy