Filipinos revere Jose Rizal for his patriotism, but our national hero may have contributed too to bringing the concept of a Christmas tree to the Philippines.
According to public historian Ambeth Ocampo, Rizal brought the idea of the Christmas tree to the Philippines in 1886.
“We have two primary-source documents to support this claim: a manuscript containing Hans Christian Andersen tales that Rizal translated into Tagalog to delight his nephews and nieces; and a letter Rizal wrote in Berlin in November 1886 to his eldest sister Neneng (Saturnina) and her husband Maneng (Manuel Hidalgo),” Ocampo said.
In his letter, the national hero described the Christmas traditions he experienced in Spain and Germany.
“On Christmas Eve they bring from the forest a pine tree, and this tree is chosen because, besides being erect, it is the only tree that keeps its leaves during winter—I say it badly; not really leaves, but a kind of needle. It is decorated with tinsel, paper, lights, dolls, candy, fruits, dainties, etc., and at night time, it is shown to the children (who should see the preparation of it), and around this tree the family celebrates Christmas.”
Ocampo said Rizal even described the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe.
“They say, and I have also read it, that in England there is another custom which is for older persons. In certain parts of the house is hung a twig of mistletoe. When a young man and woman find themselves under it and he does not kiss her, he must pay a fine or give her a present. For this reason, many young men stroll in the streets carrying a twig of mistletoe. When they see a pretty girl, they approach her and kiss her. When she looks up and sees the mistletoe held over her head by the mischievous young man, she smiles, keeps quiet, and says nothing. This is very English,” Rizal wrote.
Ocampo said the drawings were “made to illustrate Rizal’s translation from German to Tagalog Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Fir Tree.”
He said Rizal’s manuscript was signed and dated in Leipzig, Germany.
When it comes to holiday cards, artist Manuel Rodriguez Sr. is credited for the first Filipino-themed Christmas card.
Rodriguez introduced silk screening in the country and founded the Philippine Association of Printmakers in 1968.
According to the National Museum of the Philippines, Rodriguez’s 12 holiday prints depict images of the Christmas season in the country, including lanterns and Simbang Gabi.
As for the ubiquitous parols, Francisco Estanislao is believed to have crafted the first in 1908 using the traditional five-point star design in Bacolor, the former capital of Pampanga.