‘Ber’ months begin, Xmas décor sales start

The first day of September signals the start of the “ber" months – October, November. and December. – which, together with some days well into January, cover the Philippine Christmas season, said to be the longest in the world. It’s also when Filipinos start buying Christmas décor for their households and establishments. In her report which aired on GMA News’ “24 Oras" Thursday, reporter Bernadette Reyes noted the rains in Metro Manila did not dampen the glittering Christmas displays that have begun springing all over Barangay Valencia, Quezon City, considering that as soon as the “ber" months begins so does the sale of traditional Filipino Christmas lanterns or parol.
“Kapag maaga silang bumili, 50 percent ang discount nila," said Archie Manlupo, who sells a variety of parol on Gilmore Avenue in Quezon City. Manlupo said prices then spike up starting November. But this early, “giant" lanterns which normally sells for P7,000 can be bought for only P3,500, while lanterns coming from the northern province of La Union have their price tags slashed from P1,500 to onlyP750. Christmas lanterns made out of capiz are selling for P900. Reyes added that beginning November, the stores will start selling Christmas lanterns and décor 24/7 all the way to Christmas day. Longest Christmas season In a report which aired late Thursday night on GMA News’ “Saksi", reporter Joseph Morong got to the bottom of why the Christmas season starts so early in the Philippines.
Prof. Alvaro Alcala, a sociologist from the De La Salle University, explained not only the cultural but also the economic reasons for starting the countdown to Christmas so early. "Pag sinabi mong ‘ber’, it's leading to Christmas," Alcala said. “Yung hilig ng Pinoy para talaga mag-celebrate. Napapakita sa pag-prepare nila until the time na mangyari ‘yung event." “Pwede i-capitalize ‘yung gaanong excitement ng Pinoy, so pino-prolong; kasi the more you prolong the celebration the more na mas kikita," he explained. —Marlon Tonson/VS, GMA News