The Philippines and Australia have been allied for 73 years.
Obviously, the two countries go along well and there may be more similarities between the Philippines and Australia that meets the eye, particularly in their celebrations.
New Year’s Day
First on the list is New Year’s Day on Jan. 1–the loudest and the most awaited time of the year.
In the Philippines, it is celebrated even before its actual date. Filipinos have this traditional belief that you have to prepare 12 round fruits on your table, signifying the 12 astronomical signs and the 12 zodiac animals to welcome luck to your household.
In Australia, they also have parties and entertainment but, unlike in the Philippines, they are less superstitious. But like Filipinos they prepare for vast firework displays. Imagine, Australia celebrates New Year from January 1 to January 6? And while Filipinos welcome the New Year by jumping up and down at the stroke of midnight, with the belief of getting taller, Australia waits for the 12 rings of their church bells. Once they hear it, everyone hugs and kisses each other while shouting and cheering for a new beginning.
The Philippines and Australia surely agree in this one thing–going to church with family and friends to thank the Lord for all the year-round blessings.
Holy Week
Both the Philippines and Australia observe Holy Week, too, composed of Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, Holy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Black Saturday and Easter Sunday in observance of the passion of Christ. It actually starts in the Philippines on Ash Wednesday, followed by Palm Sunday.
In the Philippines, Filipinos practice the Visita Iglesia or the Passion of the Christ. They would visit 14 churches and pray for the 14 Passion of the Christ symbolizing the 14 ways of Christ through crucifixion. Filipinos also practice Senakulo, or the passion play, depicting the hardship of Christ. In this role playing, they use real nails to crucify the actor who portrays Christ.
On the other hand, Australians organize sporting events, starting on Good Friday, marking the start the four long days of the long Holy weekend. The most popular event is the Three Peaks Race in Tasmania. The Brisbane to Gladstone yacht race is also a popular game.
Easter Sunday is differently observed in Philippines and Australia but, both countries celebrate the resurrection of Christ from the dead after being crucified and buried.
In Australia, the Easter Bibly is their own version of the Easter Bunny because they consider the bunny as a pest. Bibly is a rabbit-bandicoot, an endangered species. And to raise awareness and funding, Australians sell chocolates shaped like a bibly.
In the Philippines, the resurrection is celebrated with a “Salubong” procession where the image of Mary meets Jesus. People meet by 3 a.m. and start the procession, followed by the first mass announcing Christ has risen.
In the morning, different Easter egg events take place.
Australia extends its celebration up to Monday, which it calls Easter Monday. The long weekend of Australia ends by throwing parties and sportsfests, or by joining an Easter egg rolling contest.
Labor Day
The Philippines and Australia celebrate Labor Day on different dates.
In Australia, it is celebrated in different days in eight territories. In Western Australia, it is held during the first Monday of March, while in Victoria and Tasmania, it is observed during the second Monday of March. The Northern Territory celebrates Labor Day on the first Monday of May, while Queensland, the Australia Capital Territory, New South Wales and South Australia hold it during the first Monday of October.
In the Philippines, Labor Day is observed on the first day of May.
The Philippines and Australia both celebrate Labor Day to be with their family and friends.
All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day
All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day are celebrated by both children and adults in the Philippines and Australia.
Australia doesn’t particularly celebrate All Souls’ Day, but they observe Halloween on October 31, just like in the Philippines.
Halloween is celebrated by children and adults as well by wearing costumes and going to houses for trick or treats.
In Australia, All Saints’ Day is not a nationwide holiday, but churches offer mass and prayer requests and vigils to honor all the saints.
Meanwhile, in the Philippines, from October 31st to November 2, people visit their loved ones at their final resting places in cemeteries and columbaries. They also offer mass, prayer requests and vigils and organize the parades of Saints.
Christmas
Here is another annual celebration, which both kids and adults love–Christmas.
In Australia, Christmas is summer time and most families celebrate Christmas at the beach with the usual turkey and pudding, while in the Philippines, it is celebrated during the cold season since Philippines doesn’t have winter.
Unlike Australia, which has turkey and pudding, the Philippines has a lot more dishes in store because Filipinos usually cook ancestral recipes with no specific specialty.
Independence Day
Australia’s independence day is called Australia Day on Jan. 26, highlighted with the presentation of the “Australian of the Year” award on Australia Day Eve, followed by the announcement of the “Australia Day Honours’” list and addresses from the Governor-General and the Prime Minister. Community concerts, festivals and ceremonies are held everywhere.
Meanwhile, the Philippines celebrates its Independence Day every June 12, marking its independence from the Spaniards on the same date in 1898.
During the celebrartion, the Philippine flag is raised in Kawit, Cavite, an annual commemorative act at the Aguinaldo Shrine, to go with the reading of the Philippine Declaration of Independence.
