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| CHRISTMAS CAROL TRADITION, theme of a corporate ad from Shell, 1957 |
Christmas carols began in the west, and the earliest one in modern form was written in 1410. The
carol was about Mary and Jesus meeting people in Bethlehem. Most Carols from
this time were loosely based on the Christmas story, sung by minstrels wherever
they went.
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| CAMAY CHRISTMAS CAROLS----FREE! 16 favorite carols in a free booklet! 1964 |
The Americans introduced their English carols here and has
since become a part of the Filipino Christmas tradition. As early as November,
you would find children carolers out on the streets, singing Christmas carols
from house to house spreading musical cheer, accompanied by improvised instruments
like tansan tambourines and tin can drums.
Christmas carols available to Filipino carolers were mostly in English---Silent, Night, Jingle Bells, O Holy
Night, Joy to the World. Local versions
were made by translating these into English.
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| STANDARD CHRISTMAS CAROLS. From Standard-Vacuum Oil Co. 1957 |
The first known Christmas carol was originally composed in
Cebuano by Vicente D. Rubi and Mariano Vestil in 1933. “Kasadya ning Táknaa”(How
Blissful is this Season) was translated into Tagalog by Josefino Cenizal in 1938 but the lyrics of Levi
Celerio done in the 50s, remained to be the most popular. This carol is widely known today as "Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit".
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| PILIPINO TRANSLATIONS OF "Silent Night" and "Jingle Bells" in a Satndard-Vacuum Oil ad. 1957 |
After being given their envelopes or coins, the carolers end
their visit on a note of gratitude by singing: "Thank you, thank you, ang
babait ninyo ...thank you...."
These ads celebrate our caroling tradition, from our
holidays of the past that are now long gone, but never forgotten.
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