Wrangell Sentinel -

People in the Philippines like to celebrate Christmas for as long as possible. The playing of Christmas carols in shops can start in September. The formal Christmas celebrations start on December 16 when many people go the first of nine pre-dawn or early morning masses. The last mass is on Christmas day. The Christmas celebrations continue to the first Sunday in January when Epiphany or the Feast of the Three Kings is celebrated.

In the Philippines the early masses held before Christmas are called the 'Misa de Gallo' or 'Simbang Gabi' in Filipino.

Most Filipinos are Christians with about 8...