A Bag of Goodies

A bag of goodies for Christmas would contain several items good for Noche Buena.  Traditionally it will include, a bottle of wine, whiskey or brandy, a loaf of fruitcake, a ball of queso de bola  and a leg of ham.  Other items like pasta, a can of fruit cocktail, and some candies are stuffed into the bag.

A bandejado of chinese ham and another of marca piña and hot tsokolate E is indeed very Filipino.  Levi Celerio captures the festive mood of  Filipino Christmas Eve. 

Kay sigla ng gabi
Ang lahat ay kay saya
Nagluto ang Ate ng manok na tinola
Sa bahay ng Kuya ay mayro'ng litsonan pa
Ang bawat tahanan may handang iba't iba

Tayo na giliw
Magsalo na tayo
Mayro'n na tayong
Tinapay at keso
Di ba Noche Buena
Sa gabing ito
At bukas ay araw ng Pasko*

PHOTO: That street Echague in Quiapo used to have several ham stores selling chinese ham.  My mother preferred Cuisia's Philippine Ham which is actually the same as chinese ham, but that shop is no longer there.  Only a few survive the competition.

 *NOCHE BUENA: Felipe de Leon - Levi Celerio