Episode 13: Ber Month – The Early Filipino Christmas Season (Starts in September!)

Catching Up: YouTube Relaunch & Podcast Tech Talk

Welcome back to the Sherwin M Podcast! I’m Sherwin. It’s been a few weeks – work projects have kept me busy (hoping to launch one in July!). But I found some time, so let’s get into Episode 13!

Quick updates:

• YouTube Channel Relaunch! I’ve started creating videos again after a long break (like, since 2008 with sporadic videos, then nothing for 2+ years!). Got a new camera, trying different styles, and finally using my “Dad Cave” studio instead of recording on top of the washing machine! Check it out at youtube.com (search for username w1n78) or find the link on my site/show notes. Let me know what you think!
• Podcast URL Changes: My podcast host, Simplecast, recently changed how they format episode URLs. It used to be easy to predict (like podcast.sherwinm.com/13), but now it’s different, possibly to prepare for iOS 11’s new podcast features (like seasons). This makes it harder for me to give out simple links in the audio. I might set up redirects, but the best way to get episodes and show notes is still to subscribe via your favorite podcast app, or follow me on social media where I post links (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram – @W1N78).

Episode Focus: Understanding the Filipino “Ber Months”

Alright, Episode 13 is titled “Burmonths” (or more commonly spelled “Ber Months”).

Why “Ber”? Explaining the Name

What are the “Ber Months”? If you’re Filipino, you likely know this signals the start of the very long Christmas season. Why “Ber”? It’s simple! It refers to the months ending in “-ber”:

• September
• October
• November
• December

As soon as September 1st hits, the Philippines unofficially kicks off Christmas celebrations. I couldn’t find any deeper meaning besides the “-ber” connection and the fact that Filipinos absolutely love Christmas and want to celebrate it for as long as possible! (Initially, I thought “Burr” meant cold weather, but nope!)

September 1st: Let the Christmas Decorating Begin!

What happens during the Ber Months?

• Decorations Galore: Starting September 1st, Christmas decorations pop up everywhere.
• Christmas Music: Radio stations begin playing Christmas songs.
• Malls & Stores: Get decked out for the holidays incredibly early.
• Christmas Spirit: People genuinely start getting into the Christmas mood.

The Iconic Parol Lantern

One of the most common and beautiful Filipino Christmas decorations you’ll see starting in September is the Parol.

• It’s a star-shaped lantern, traditionally made from bamboo and paper.
• The name comes from the Spanish word farol, meaning lantern.
• Modern parols often include intricate designs and lights inside or outside. (Do a Google Image search – they’re gorgeous!)
• You could think of them as the Filipino equivalent of Christmas wreaths.

How Does This Compare to US Holiday Seasons?

It’s fascinating to contrast this ultra-early start with the US holiday buildup:

• September: We have Labor Day, then… not much until maybe Thanksgiving. No Christmas vibe yet.
• October: Focus shifts to Halloween. Pumpkin patches appear, but typically only in October and disappear right after.
• November/December: Christmas Tree farms replace pumpkin patches, usually after Thanksgiving.

I feel like the Christmas spirit in the US doesn’t really kick in for most people until Thanksgiving weekend or Black Friday. Seeing Christmas decorations and hearing carols in September, as happens in the Philippines (even in friends’ photos online), still feels a bit strange to me, even though I know about the Ber Months tradition.

Wrapping Up the Ber Months Discussion

So, that’s the Ber Months phenomenon – a four-month Christmas celebration! It highlights the unique cultural importance of Christmas in the Philippines.