There are two traditional feasts that Filipino families often look forward to during Christmas time: the Christmas Eve Noche Buena and the one that follows on the 25th itself, which is often held as part of a festive family reunion. Either way, expect those in charge of preparing the dishes to pull out all the stops to serve the most delectable food on the table for everyone to enjoy.
Trust the Filipino to put the most positive of spins on the most difficult of times. And that is exactly what many Filipino families are doing in this pandemic, which is leaving people little choice but to hole up at home rather than risk their health outside. While this situation is less than the ideal, many Filipino families are using the extra time they are spending at home to bond with one another—usually over food, whether for a kingly breakfast, a sumptuous lunch, a mouthwatering merienda, or a delectable dinner.