Staying loyal to Pinoy traditions in Canada
Michele Majul-Ibarra has been living in Canada for 30 years now. Yet, she celebrates Christmas “pretty much the same as when I was in the Philippines,” she said.
“We go to Mass and celebrate with our families afterward. The celebration typically includes dinner and a gift exchange,” said Majul-Ibarra, who works as a human resources director at a health care company in Manitoba.
Majul-Ibarra, who grew up in Manila, said the long stretch of the season is definitely a favorite since it allows her and her family to celebrate Christmas a little longer. Some of the things that stand out for her as favorites are attending the Simbang Gabi and the food that her family partakes after.
“Puto bumbong is a Christmas staple that I definitely miss,” she added.
The Majuls emigrated when she was just a teenager. It was in Manitoba where she met her husband Joseph, with whom she has two kids. She said she made sure to still practice Filipino Christmas traditions where she is.
“There’s nothing more Pinoy than setting up a parol, and, of course, serving ham and queso de bola,” she said proudly. They continue to set up a Christmas tree, and the belen, too.
“We also continue the tradition of noche buena. More importantly, going to Mass on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day is a must,” she said.
When asked whether she has started any new Christmas traditions with her family, she said, “Our traditions are very much the same from those that I grew up with in the Philippines. This Christmas, it will still be the usual plan of going to Mass and having dinner, and sharing our blessings with family.”
