Christmas Carolers and Coins: A Filipino Holiday Tradition

culture 20-12-2025

In the Philippines, Christmas doesn’t arrive quietly. It announces itself early—sometimes as early as September—and one of the clearest signs that the season has truly begun is the sound of children singing carols, pangangaroling, outside your gate, hoping to earn a few pesos. As I am sitting down to write this, there are Christmas carolers outside the gate singing Jingle Bells. Earlier today, my girlfriend told me that today is the first day that she planned to give out coins (money) to the carolers. If we do it before now, they’ll just keep coming back each night until Christmas and it does start to get expensive after a while.

This tradition is not formal, organized, or particularly polished; however, it is deeply Filipino.

How the Tradition Works

During the Christmas season, groups of children—sometimes with teenagers or even adults mixed in—go door to door singing familiar Christmas songs. Common choices include:

“Sa May Bahay”
“Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit”
“Joy to the World” (often with creative lyrics)
Any tune they vaguely remember from school or church.

After the song, someone usually holds out a container—often a recycled cup, can, or plastic bottle—and waits. The expectation is not payment for musical excellence, but a small cash gift.

If you give, you’ll hear a cheerful “Thank you, thank you!”

Sometimes followed by an extra verse or a shouted holiday greeting.

If you don’t, they move on without complaint. Sometimes, with a joking or improvised lyric about generosity.

Where This Tradition Comes From

The custom blends several influences:

Spanish Catholic Roots: Caroling is tied to Catholic Christmas traditions introduced during Spanish colonization, including communal singing and celebration leading up to Christmas Day.
Bayanihan and Informal Economy
Filipino culture places strong emphasis on:
- Community participation
- Mutual support
- Small acts of generosity

Caroling for coins fits naturally into an informal, community-based economy where small contributions from many households add up.

Childhood Initiative

Unlike organized Western caroling groups, Filipino Christmas carolers are usually self-organized. Children decide to go out, form a group, and try their luck. It’s one of the earliest ways Filipino kids learn about effort, initiative, and social interaction.

It’s Not About The Music

Musical quality is secondary—sometimes very secondary.

What matters more is:

Effort
Cheerfulness
Participation in the season

A group that sings loudly and confidently will often earn more than a group that sings well but timidly. Enthusiasm beats harmony almost every time.

Timing and Frequency

Caroling typically starts in early December, peaks in the two weeks before Christmas, and continues until Christmas Eve in many areas.

In dense neighborhoods, you may hear multiple groups in a single evening. In quieter areas, it’s more occasional—but still expected.

How Much Do People Give?

Amounts vary widely depending on:

Neighborhood
Household income
Relationship with the carolers

Common amounts are small—coins or low-denomination bills. The value lies in participation, not generosity. Giving something, even very little, is seen as part of the holiday spirit.

For Foreigners and New Residents

For newcomers, especially expats, this tradition can be confusing at first. It may feel like:

Panhandling
Unsolicited performance
A social obligation you didn’t agree to

In reality, it’s best understood as seasonal community interaction.

You’re not required to give—but giving a small amount:

Signals goodwill
Integrates you into neighborhood life
Often leads to warmer relationships year-round

If you prefer not to participate, simply not answering the gate is socially acceptable.

Criticism and Modern Changes

Some people criticize the practice:

As encouraging begging
As disruptive
As outdated

In gated communities and apartment buildings, caroling is often restricted or organized through homeowner associations. Still, the tradition persists—especially in barangays and smaller neighborhoods—because it requires no infrastructure and very little money.

Why the Tradition Endures

Because it’s simple, accessible, and human.

Children sing. Adults give a little. Everyone acknowledges the season together, even briefly. In a country where Christmas is less about private celebration and more about shared experience, that matters.

Summary

The Filipino tradition of Christmas carolers earning money is:

Informal
Community-driven
Rooted in generosity rather than performance
A small but persistent expression of the Christmas spirit

It may not sound perfect—but it sounds like Christmas in the Philippines.

Tonight, I saw one group singing along to songs that were playing on one of their phones. I haven’t seen anyone carrying a portable karoake machine around yet, but I suspect it is only a matter of time.

My girlfriend also told me that the groups that are singing will talk to each other out on the main street and tell each other which houses are giving out coins to carolers. So, expect that as soon as you give to one set of carolers, you will see more. Likewise, if you aren’t paying close attention, you will have the same groups keep coming back to your gate / door in the same night. It’s all part of the experience.

Thinking of Moving to the Philippines? Get Reliable Guidance

Online communities are helpful for general questions. For anything important, you still need accurate, professional, and updated information. E636 Expat Services helps foreigners with: