The Sound of Pinoy Christmas

December 17, 2010

In a music-loving country tagged as the “Land of Fiestas”, Filipinos celebrate almost every event with singing or dancing. Birthdays, weddings, town fiestas, and even graduation celebrations are not complete without karaoke, song numbers, dance contests, and the like.

Christmas, as the biggest, longest and most-awaited celebration of the year, is naturally celebrated with music. When the first day of September rolls in—the start of the “ber” months—Christmas songs would start playing on the radio, at home, in the malls and other establishments to signal that the season has begun. And on December 16, children and adults alike would hit the streets to go from house to house, establishment to establishment to sing carols and ask for “aginaldo” (aguinaldo) or “Christmas present” (usually in the form of money).

In spite of foreign influences, original Filipino compositions still top the list of favorites mainly because they best describe the Christmas spirit of Filipinos—God’s love, family, generosity, thanksgiving and merry-making.

Sa May Bahay Ang Aming Bati
This is usually the first song sung during caroling. Originally an untitled song and part of a series known as “Maligayang Pasko”, it is now commonly known by its opening line.

(Tagalog)
Sa maybahay, ang aming bati:
“Merry Christmas na mal’walhati!”
Ang pag-ibig, ‘pag siya’y naghari
Araw-araw ay magiging Pasko lagi!

Ang sanhi po, ng pagparito,
ay hihingi po ng aginaldo.
Kung sakaling, kami’y perhuwisyo,
pasensya na kayo’t kami’y namamasko!

To The Householder We Greet (English Translation)
To the householder we greet:
“A Glorious Merry Christmas!”
When Love doth reign,
every day will always be Christmas!

The reason we have come
is to ask for gifts.
If it so happens that we are a bother,
Forgive us as we are soliciting for Christmas!

Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit
Originally composed in Visayan by Vicente D. Rubi and Mariano Vestil in 1933 as “Kasadya ning Táknaa”, the Tagalog lyrics to this song were written by National Artist Levi Celerio in the 1950’s. Actually titled “Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon” (Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year) but more commonly known as “Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit”, this song remains to be a favorite due to its simple words and clever rhymes effectively conveying the real meaning of Christmas for Filipinos.

Kasadya ni’ng Táknaa (Cebuano)
Kasadya ni’ng Táknaa
Dapit sa kahimayaan.
Mao ray among nakita,
Ang panagway nga masanagon.

Buláhan ug buláhan
Ang tagbaláy nga giawitan.
Awit nga halandumon,
Ug sa tanang pasko magmalípayon.

Kasadya ni’ng Táknaa
Dapit sa kahimayaan.
Mao ray among nakita,
Ang panagway nga masanagon.

Buláhan ug buláhan
Ang tagbaláy nga giawitan.
Awit nga halandumon,
Ug sa tanang pasko magmalípayon.

Bag-ong tuig, bág-ong kinabúhì.
Duyog sa átong mga pagbati.
Atong awiton ug atong laylayon
Aron magmalípayon.

Kasadya ni’ng Táknaa
Dapit sa kahimayaan.
Mao ray among nakita,
Ang panagway nga masanagon.

Buláhan ug buláhan
Ang tagbaláy nga giawitan.
Awit nga halandumon,
Ug sa tanang pasko magmalípayon.

Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit (Tagalog)
Ang Pasko ay sumapit
Tayo ay mangagsiawit
Ng magagandang himig
Dahil sa ang Diyós ay pag-ibig

Nang si Kristo’y isilang
May tatlong haring nagsidalaw
At ang bawat isa ay nagsipaghandog
Ng tanging alay

Bagong taon ay magbagong-buhay
Nang lumigaya ang ating bayan
Tayo’y magsikap upang makamtán
Natin ang kasaganaan

Tayo’y mangagsiawit
Habang ang mundo’y tahimik
Ang araw ay sumapit
Ng sanggol na dulot ng langit

Tayo ay magmahalan
Ating sundin ang gintong aral
At magbuhat ngayon
Kahit hindi Pasko ay magbigayan

Christmas Has Arrived (English translation)
Christmas has arrived
Let us sing
beautiful hymns
because God is Love

When Christ was born
There were Three Kings who visited
And each one
offered their respective gifts.

‘Tis New Year so we must reform our lives
so that glad will be our nation/people
Let us strive that achieve we may
Prosperity!

Let us sing
Whilst the world is silent
The Day has arrived
of the Child brought about of Heaven.

Let us love each another,
Let us follow the Golden Rule
And from this moment forth
though it not be Christmas, let us share

Noche Buena
Composed by Professor Felipe Padilla de Leon of Nueve Ecija, this upbeat song is another timeless favorite, describing the traditional Filipino Noche Buena, the Christmas eve family feast.

(Tagalog)
Kay sigla ng gabi,
ang lahat ay kay saya;
nagluto ang Áte ng manok na tinola;
Sa bahay ng Kuya ay mayro’ng litsunan pa!
Ang bawat tahanan may handang iba’t iba!

Tayo na giliw,
magsalo na tayo
mayro’n na tayong
tinapay at keso.
Di ba Noche Buena
sa gabing ito?
At bukas ay araw ng Pasko.

(English translation)
How jolly is the night,
how all are happy;
Older Sister has cooked tinolang manok;
At Older Brother’s house, there is lechon[being roasted]!
Every home has prepared many different things!

Shall we go, beloved,
let us feast together,
[for] now have we
bread and cheese.
Isn’t it Noche Buena on this very night?
And tomorrow is Christmas Day.

Sources: WikiPilipinas, Wikipedia

Filed under: Pinoy Culture, Uncategorized