Christmas Dinner, Filipino Style

As December 24th dawns, and the last mass of Simbang Gabi attended, the preparation for one of the most important family meals begins.

In my mother's house, just like in many others, activities move to high gear. Mixed with the joyful efforts of making sure all the gastronomic must haves for this celebration have been acquired, the air is

also filled with mostly women talking loudly and giving orders

to the helpers on what to cook or cut next.

"Have you finished plucking the feathers out of the chicken yet?", yells my auntie to a cousin of mine. "No, not yet", he yells back. "Why not?", my auntie inquired angrily. "I still have to catch it, that's why". This is true. While we lived in the city (Manila), I sometimes witnessed uncles or cousins chasing a live chicken or some kind of animal around the house with a machete!

My mother was a big advocate of fresh and free range even back then.

Christmas Eve is BIG in the Philippines,

and is one of the traditions most families celebrate and revere. It is a must time for family to be together for a special meal, served at midnight, to commemorate the birth of Christ, and doubles as a very important family reunion, not be missed. We call this special dinner, Noche Buena. This Spanish term loosely means "a good night/evening". It is a great night indeedfor a Savior was born.

It is a night without sleep for many because the celebration continues into the Christmas Day. How is Noche Buena different from other family dinners during Christmas? Think open house celebration.

At midnight. Family, friends, relatives, and neighbors

drop by to wish everyone Maligayang Pasko (Merry Christmas). And since food is abundant, everone is welcome to partake of all the sumptuous goodies laid out on the table. That is Noche Buena.

Let's talk about food served typically during Christmas in the Philippines. In addition to all the delicious native holiday desserts like bibingka, putobumbong,leche flan ( a special Spanish custard), hot tsokolate (chocolate) etc,

LECHON is a much wished for mainstay on the table. As well as pancit (noodles),barbecue, adobo, cakes (western and native), lumpia (think spring rolls), fruit salad, spaghetti and lots of fruit.

Of course, San Miguel beer, wine and other inebriating drinks may also be overflowing making the celebration not only very "merrymaking", but also intoxicating.