Filipinos tighten their Christmas budgets in the wake of typhoons

Many still reeling in storms' aftermath and forced to cut expenses for festive celebration

- Mara Cepeda

MANILA - The Christmas rush roars louder than ever in the bustling Divisoria street market in the Philippine capital Manila.

Honking cars squeeze slowly through the throngs of shoppers bargain hunting at stalls selling everything from cheap plastic toys and children's clothes to dried fish and fresh fruits to be served during Christmas Eve dinner, known locally as Noche Buena or the Good Night.

Some vendors have switched from their usual office and school supply wares to dancing Santa Claus dolls, paper lanterns and twinkling fairy lights in keeping with the holiday spirit.

But for long-time Christmas decor vendor Christine Calo, 26, the sparkle is a little dimmer in 2024. The holiday crowds are present, but their wallets are lighter, turning what should be the most joyful time of the year into a quiet struggle for sellers like her.

Six storms battered parts of the Philippines in October and November alone, and Filipinos still reeling in the aftermath of the natural disasters are forced to tighten their belts this Yuletide season.

Christmas is deeply ingrained in Filipino culture, celebrated as both a religious and familial event in this predominantly Catholic nation. The season starts as early as September and is characterized by Noche Buena feasts, midnight masses and generous gift-giving.

With Christmas being the most anticipated and celebrated event of the year in the Philippines, a typical middle-class family would spend roughly 35,000 pesos (S$805) for the holiday season, according to a 2023 study by remittance firm WorldRemit. And the average family of five can easily spend more than half its budget on the glorious Noche Buena feast the night before Christmas.