Birthday traditions in the Philippines

Birthdays in the Philippines are very much celebrated for both the young and old. Rich and poor families alike always make an effort to prepare something special for the occasion, with or without a party.

In the rural areas particularly in the northern part of the country where I grew up, there is a common belief among old men and women that when a family doesn't prepare anything for the child's birthday, he or she would get sick.

In this part of the country, birthday parties are much simpler than in the highly urbanized areas but they are just as fun.

The day usually starts with the birthday celebrator and his or her family goes to church as a way to thank God for another year.

The party is usually held in the house of the birthday celebrator where relatives and friends gather to eat, drink, and have fun. Some, however, host the party in a beach. But just the same, it is a community affair.

Usually, there is no need to send formal invitations as anyone in the neighborhood is welcome to join.

The party table would be full of different kinds of kakanin (rice cakes), which symbolizes good life. Most of these are prepared the day before the party or early in the morning on the day of the party.

A birthday party in the rural areas is usually a community affair wherein neighbors help the host family in all the preparations and join them in celebrating that special day. Women in the neighborhood volunteer to help the host in all the preparations especially in cooking the party dishes.

Usually, a noodle dish is prepared to symbolize long life for the birthday celebrator. The most common is pancit guisado, a native Filipino noodle dish flavored with pork and mixed vegetables.

The host can choose from pancit canton, pancit miki, pancit bihon, pancit sotanghon, and many more depending on the region. Some regions in the country have their own version of pancit. Some also prepare spaghetti instead of pancit. In parties hosted by rich families, lechon (roasted pig) is usually served.

The highlight of the party is the singing of the birthday song, with or without a birthday candle to blow and a cake to slice. The birthday celebrator is asked to take the center seat as people around him sing the birthday song, in the local language.

During the singing, friends bring him flowers, usually picked from the host's or neighbor's backyard and someone brings him a "crown", which is made of vines and flowers.

Everybody also gets a handful of flower petals and polished rice and "showers" them to the birthday celebrator as a symbol of a long and fruitful life.

Gifts are given to children who are celebrating their birthdays. The most precious ones are usually given by their ninangs or godmothers and ninongs or godfathers who are always invited to their godchild's party and other important celebrations.

Birthdays in the cities, on the other hand, are celebrated much like the way people in Western countries do. Usually, the parties are themed and formal invitations are sent to guests. Many of these parties are held in restaurants and other commercial venues. The highlight is the blowing of the birthday candle while guests sing the birthday song.

Nowadays, birthday celebrations in the rural areas are also catching up with this kind of celebration. But the tradition continues, giving a party a mix of local and Western ambiance.

Learn more about this author, Kathleen Solis.
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