How Filipino Expats in the UAE Keep the World's Longest Christmas Season Alive

For most people in the UAE, September marks the winding down of summer, but for Filipinos, it signals the arrival of the most wonderful time of the year: the start of Christmas celebrations. This festive season endures throughout the 'ber months'—September, October, November, and December. In the Philippines, Christmas songs immediately begin playing on the radio, decorations appear in malls and shops, and households start preparing for the festivities.

“As soon as the months ending in 'ber' roll in, Christmas automatically begins in the Philippines,” said Ronn Unsay, a long-time UAE resident and project manager for a telecoms company. “Back home, that means carols being played at stores, fairy lights are put up, and Christmas trees will be out.” It is a routine tradition for Filipinos, though it can sometimes seem surprisingly early to others. For expats in the UAE, September brings back fond memories of what Christmas feels like back home.

Alyssa Marie Santiago, who has lived in the UAE since 2022, noted that Filipino households start putting up decorations as early as September, even in Dubai. “The Filipino community here in Dubai also makes an effort to celebrate,” she said. “There are Christmas gatherings, parties, and events, and we try our best to bring that same spirit here.” She explained how Filipinos typically gather at someone's house to celebrate, play party games, and indulge in plenty of food.

However, it is not quite the same as being in the Philippines, she noted. “Back home, the atmosphere is infectious,” she added. “There are decorations on the streets, Christmas songs heard from some corner, and, most importantly, families are all together.” That ubiquitous sense of Christmas is something Annabelle Astill remembers well from growing up in the Philippines. Ms Astill, a UAE resident for 13 years, recalls homes putting up parols, the colourful Filipino Christmas lanterns, while Christmas music played loudly in households. As a child, Ms Astill and her friends would go from house to house singing carols, receiving the traditional response from grateful neighbours.

The season also features 'Simbang Gabi', the nine traditional Masses held from December 16 to Christmas Eve. Ms Astill remembers attending as a child, believing that completing all nine would make a wish come true. “I still believe in it even now that I am older.” In her kitchen in the UAE, she cooks up a storm for celebrations, with noodles, spaghetti, ham, and fruit salad serving as party staples. “A few days before the Christmas party, preparations are already under way,” she said, noting past traditions of hosting big gatherings with her Filipino friends where everything, from the food to the Secret Santa gift exchange, was planned in advance.

While she fondly remembers the warm treats sold outside churches like puto bumbong and bibingka, as well as Noche Buena on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day back home featured another familiar ritual. Children would dress in new clothes to visit relatives, friends, neighbours, and godparents, performing 'mano' by placing an elder's hand on their forehead as a sign of respect to receive money in return.

Mr Unsay recalled another reason why the festive season is so welcome. “There’s nothing like Christmas in the Philippines, that’s for sure,” he said, highlighting the festive spirit and the traditional arrival of cooler winds. Financial boosts also mark the season, as employees in the Philippines receive an extra month's pay each year. The 13th-month salary is paid in November, helping families shop for Christmas, followed by a Christmas bonus in December and family members returning from abroad with presents.

Mary Grace Guino, who lived in the UAE for 18 years before returning to the Philippines, experienced the start of the season first-hand after spotting Christmas displays at several malls in late August, including the Mall of Asia on August 27 and another location in Pasay City days later. “I know that is weird for other nationalities, too early to put up Christmas displays,” Ms Guino said. “But being here in the Philippines at this time of the year proves this is a tradition we care so much about.”

Ms Astill has also had to explain the “ber months” concept to her non-Filipino husband, with whom she put up decorations on September 1 during their first year together. Nowadays, she waits slightly longer to accommodate her son's love for Halloween, putting up Christmas decorations in the first week of November. For Filipinos in the UAE, the season is marked in smaller ways through gatherings, parties, decorations, and food, though homesickness naturally creeps in when September arrives and familiar songs begin to play.