Tagalog Christmas Songs
Jingle bells are ringing and you feel the chill of Christmas air
together with the tagalog Christmas songs sung by children. Long
lines at department stores, Christmas carols playing on repeat and
shopping bags full of kiddie presents, these signs make you think
that the Yuletide season is drawing near.
Christmas in the Philippines is proclaimed to be the longest and
merriest in the world. As early as September, joyful Christmas
carols are played over the radio and this continues nonstop until
the first Sunday of January, or the Feast of the Three Kings.
The celebration of Yuletide in the Philippines wouldn't be as
festive without Christmas carols. Filipino children in small groups
go from house to house to sing Filipino Christmas songs, which they
call pangangaroling. To make it merrier and more spirited, they
sing carols with the accompaniment of makeshift instruments like
tambourines and maracas. In the neighborhood, it is common to hear
amateur kid carolers every night during the holiday season.
With the traditional chant of "Namamasko po", these young
carolers expect the homeowners to reward them with coins or
candies. Being delighted by the reward, they thank the homeowners
by singing "Thank you, thank you, ang babait ninyo (you are so
kind), thank you"
Christmas songs in the Philippines reflect the jubilant spirit
of Yuletide in the country. Basically, it portrays the kind of
Christmas celebration that Filipinos have. However, there are songs
that reflect loneliness for those whose love ones are far away.
Tagalog Christmas songs create very inspiring interpretations.
They depict the joyful mood of all Filipinos during Christmas, or
they show the sadness in the hearts of some lovers.
Among the most popular Tagalog Christmas songs are: Noche Buena,
Ang Pasko ay Sumapit, Sa May Bahay ang Aming Bati, Pasko na Sinta
Ko, Pasko na Naman, and Himig ng Pasko. 1. Noche Buena It is one of
the favorite Tagalog Christmas songs sung by carolers as they
serenade families in every house. Noche Buena is a Filipino
celebration wherein a family eats together and exchange gifts
during the night of Christmas Eve. Composed by Professor Felipe
Padilla de Leon, the song portrays about the feasts that Filipinos
usually prepare during Noche Buena.
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Ang Pasko ay Sumapit Composed by Levi Celerio, it is a timeless
Christmas song which has caught the Filipino Christmas spirit more
than any Tagalog songs. It is a popular Christmas carol for its
amusing rhymes. The message of the song is the love brought by
Jesus Christ during Christmas day.
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Sa May Bahay ang Aming Bati When it comes to caroling, it is the
first song that comes in mind. It is usually sung by children to
start the caroling. The message of this Tagalog Christmas song is
to show a warm Christmas greeting to the home being caroled.
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Pasko na Sinta Ko It is a sentimental Christmas song by Francis
Dandan. This song expresses the utmost longing of a person for an
absent sweetheart on Christmas. Although Christmas is supposed to
be a day of merriment, this song makes its way through the hearts
of lonely lovers.
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Pasko na Naman This song is usually heard during home serenades
on Christmas season. Composed by Felipe de Leon and lyrics by Levi
Celerio, it is a song about rejoicing that Christmas is here once
again. The song portrays the feeling of excitement and cheerful joy
that all Filipinos experience whenever the holiday season is
drawing near.
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Himig ng Pasko Compared to the usual native Christmas carols,
this song is mellower and gives a relaxing feeling. Interpreted by
Apo Hiking Society, the pleasant melody and harmony of voices gives
a peaceful feeling to listeners. The song depicts the extreme
delight that Christmas brings to all of us.