The noche buena is two of the traditional Filipino midnight dinners that is celebrated by millions of Filipinos across the country and the world to usher in Christmas Day. The other is media noche, partaken to usher in the new year. Started during the Spanish colonial period with the introduction of Christianity, this feast is a delectable smorgasbord that attests to the many influences that have enriched Filipino culture today. A casual glance at the dining table would include the traditional and the contemporary as well as cuisine that is a mixture of the native with the American, Spanish and Chinese to come up with filipinized versions of familiar dishes.

Being far from my family who is in the southern province of Cebu, here in Makati City in Metro Manila, I chose to spend Christmas Day solo and had my own noche buena feast, all bought from stores and vendors a few hours before midnight.

Noche buena for one:

Column 1
Lasagne al forno from an Italian style restaurant
Puto bumbong on a banana leaf (traditional rice cake) from the neighborhood vendor

Column 2
Siopao (steamed pork bun) from a Chinese takeout
Sans rival cupcake from a dessert shop
Red Velvet cupcake from a dessert shop
Sagada orange from a local fruit vendor

Column 3
Ice cream drumstick from a convenience store
Cola from a convenience store

Total expense, almost $10.

Name: Franklin
Age: 15
City: Talisay City (Cebu, Philippines)

What is your life goal?
I want to be a doctor or nurse who will work abroad.

And why?
To be able to help people as well as help my family financially.