It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Pan-ay

Santa Monica Church

Christmas arrives early in the Philippines. When the months end in ber, Christmas songs are heard at malls and over the radio. In October, the TV stations start the countdown to Christmas and stores start displaying Christmas trees. And in November, the Christmas decorations are installed in town plazas such as this one in Pan-ay, Capiz.

Santa Monica Church is a National Historical Landmark.

Light tunnel

When the temperatures dip a couple degrees, Christmas has truly arrived. Pan-ay, a 20-minute ride by car or public transportation from Roxas, is ready to usher in one of the biggest celebrations in the country.

O tannenbaum

There is a famous Pilipino Christmas carol that you'll hear a lot, Ang Pasko ay sumapit. It goes,

Ang pasko ay sumapit

Tayo ay mangagsi-awit

Ng magagandang himig

Dahil sa Diyos ay pag-ibig

Christmas is here

Let us sing

Beautiful melodies

Because Christ is love.

Jingle Bell Rock

This bell is a replica of one of the biggest bells in Southeast Asia. Many visitors visit Pan-ay to see its huge bell in the campanile which was made from 70 sacks of coins that the people of Pan-ay donated.

A tropical Chrismas

After enjoying the Christmas lights, its fun to sit at Holy Grounds Coffee, in front of the church, for some thick, hot chocolate and its famous, poso, a glutinous rice cake wrapped in palm leaf and dipped in tuba, a wine made from coconut sap.

Maligayang Pasko.

*****

Images by TravelswithCharie

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