While some Westerners are concerned that others might think they're crazy when they start decorating for Christmas even before Thanksgiving, many Filipinos were already done with theirs by September!

Yes, Christmas in the Philippines starts as early as the "ber" season (yeah, September). During this month, the malls are already displaying Christmas stuff and decorations and of course, since Filipinos love to shop (I wonder if there ever is a crisis when its Christmas), they've already done their decor shopping and excitedly put up their lanterns, Christmas lights and adorn the Christmas tree with colorful balls, stars, angels and ornaments.

Not only that, Christmas songs are already playing in some radio stations. We can even hear people humming Christmas carols while walking in the streets. And those kids! Singing Christmas carols in the streets and even from house to house!

I remember asking my American friend last month is he can already feel the Christmas spirit in his place, or have he considered his decorations already. Well, as expected, the question sounded rather stupid for her. She replied: "Are you kidding? Its only OCTOBER!" I tried to laugh and change the topic but then she said, "I'm looking at my garage right now and I can see I still have leaves to rake." I told her "Oh well, Filipinos are starting to decorate their houses for Christmas you see." She told me that it's strange, since she knows no one in the neighborhood who's already decorating, or shopping, or playing Christmas music yet.

Apparently others find it senseless to rush Christmas. Why? It's because they still have Halloween and Thanksgiving to deal with first. But in the Philippines, the two aforementioned events aren't really popular (Thanksgiving isn't even celebrated). November 1 is also spent visiting the cemetery to pray for the souls of their loveones and not by trick or treating.

My family and I don't celebrate Christmas for religious reasons. But year after year, I witnessed just how much Filipinos give importance to celebrating Christmas as early as possible. It's as if they are looking for ways to make things look merry with the all the turmoils and crisis in the country. I think it's just fine though. It's good to see people getting busy with colorful things, singing those beautiful Christmas songs, buying gifts for loveones, enemies making-up for the sake of Christmas even as early as September. At least we have a full1/3 of the year to be merry and loving.