Filipino AF signs that Christmas is officially here

When it comes to Christmas celebrations, our country becomes the very definition of extra. What can I say, for all our faults, when it comes to festivities, it truly is more fun in the Philippines. Not only do we have the grandest Christmas season, we have the longest, too. Once the -ber months settle in, the shift in atmosphere becomes palpable—and it’s not just the literal change of air. Along with the cold breeze, everything seems more cheerful somehow. The following, which herald the official start of the yuletide season, might have something to do with it.

Jose Mari Chan memes

The west may have Santa Claus, well we too have our own father Christmas: Jose Mari Chan, whose classic holiday tunes became the epitome of Christmas. Get ready, because these months leading to December, you’ll most probably hear his voice everywhere you go. And I mean everywhere. These memes say it all.

Endless sales

Good news, everything is half off, or 70 percent off so it’s the perfect time to go on a shopping spree. Bad news, everyone has the same idea as you. Stay safe because the shopping season gets crazy, especially with the expected Christmas bonus in everyone’s mind.

“Hello, ninong/ ninang!”

You know it’s Christmas when your godson and -daughter who, eight months of the year calls you tito or tita, suddenly refers to you as ninong or ninang (A friendly reminder to put to good use the mall sale on them). Don’t hate, you’ve done that to your godparents, too. Admit it, you still would if you could.

Sweater season

Personally, I would take whatever excuse to wear my sweaters. In an unpredictable and mostly humid weather like ours, the Christmas breeze and store racks lined up with sweaters are all the sign i need to get into an ugly-cute sweater.

Christmas-themed spaces

It doesn’t snow here, but malls and other establishments do a great job with turning their spaces into winter wonderlands. Look around and you’ll notice Christmas decors suddenly dominate the stores. Sure, they hide them for a bit during Halloween, but they make a grand comeback the following day.

Planner fad

We all have that one obsessed friend who just has to have the latest planner from their favorite coffee shop. To them, the season signals a time of completing the stickers and availing their precious planner. They sometimes use the season of giving to urge you to buy coffee too, as a show of support.