Why Baliwag, Bulacan should be the Christmas Capital of the Philippines

Julius Nathaniel Dimaapi of ACLC Baliwag street danced with his classmates during the PaSaKalye 2016. ACLC won as champions this year. Christmas Street Dancing in Baliwag, Bulacan dubbed as Pasko sa Kalye is a hotly contested annual Christmas event.

The Philippines, without doubt, celebrates Christmas season the longest in the world. The celebration here starts in September, heightens in December, and dies out only in mid-January. And where in the Philippines would you find the most 'Filipino' Christmas celebration? What should be the Christmas Capital of the Philippines?

One may surmise that it should be the City of San Fernando, Pampanga with its lavish Kapampangan feasts and giant lanterns on display in a colorful annual competition called Ligligan Parul. Or one may now consider Tarlac City, Tarlac because of its famed Belenismo, an annual hotly-contested nativity scene (belen) competition. Or Manila where all the fabulous Christmas sale happens.

Well, if a vigorous search is conducted as to where in the Philippines Christmas is celebrated in the most Filipino way, Baliwag, Bulacan will have an excellent chance of being chosen.

Like the rest of the country, Baliwag, Bulacan celebrates Christmas with much zeal and enthusiasm, that is, with lavish feasts, parties, decorations and light displays, gift-giving, Catholic masses and shopping from September until January. But here are some more reasons why Baliwag, Bulacan should be the country's Christmas capital. 

First, Christmases in the Philippines are really about Catholic holy days of obligations and the customs that go with it. These are like Sundays that Catholics must attend masses, and if possible, refrain from unnecessary servile work. Christmas, indeed, is one of the highest-ranking holy days. And it is customary among Filipinos that after attending high masses, they dropped by some makeshift stalls for a slice of bibingka (rice cake) or puto bumbong (sticky rice cake) and sip a cup of hot salabat (ginger tea). While this quaint and waning custom is generally 'Filipino,' the custom is still strongly alive in Baliwag, Bulacan. As early as August, enterprising Baliwagenyos start to sell bibingka and puto bumbong at the Heroes' Park and Glorietta near the famed San Agustin de Baliwag Church. Baliwagenos, from all walks of life, would not let the season pass without enjoying a slice or two of bibingka and puto bumbong.

Second. Whoever started the tradition of firecrackers and fireworks display in the Philippines during Christmas and New Year's Eve feasts is still subject to conflicting claims. What is certain, however, is that Baliwag, together with Bocaue and Santa Maria, all in the Province of Bulacan are the leading manufacturers of pyrotechnics in the Philippines. It is estimated that about 500 manufacturers are producing pyrotechnic products in the area. These manufacturers even participated in international pyrotechnics competitions. Of course, Baliwag, Bulacan have one of the grandest and loudest pyrotechnic display during Christmas and New Year's Eve feasts.

Third. Baliwag is the only town in the country which stages a grand street dance parade a few days before Christmas. Students of all levels paint the town colorful as they danced in the streets with much revelry to the tune of Kumukutikutitap, a Filipino Christmas song. Dubbed as Pasko sa Kalye (Pasakalye), the event is one of the much-anticipated segment of the Paskong Pasko sa Baliwag - as the Christmas season activities is collectively known. Paskong Pasko sa Baliwag draw thousands of spectators even from the neighboring provinces.

Christmas celebration in Baliwag is already an established festival. For more than a decade now, the Local Government Unit of Baliwag, through the Municipal Tourism Council and other agencies, had been promoting the Christmas season as one of the best times to visit the town. Paskong Pasko sa Baliwag, with all its sights, sounds and spells should make Baliwag the Christmas Capital of the Philippines.

Malapantasyang Pasko ang naging tawid sa pagdiriwang ng Pasakalye ngayong taon.

Students painted the town with colors and much revelry. Bukod-tangi sa Pilipinas, Congratulations sa mga Organizers.