September 11, 2025
๐ The “Ber” Months: Filipino Christmas vs. Japanese Holiday Season ๐
As soon as the calendar flips to September, Filipinos feel the magic of Christmas in the air. For many, the arrival of the โBer monthsโ (September, October, November, December) signals the beginning of the worldโs longest holiday season. On the other hand, in Japan, the focus of the holiday season is not Christmas but the New Yearโs celebration. This contrast offers a fascinating look into two cultures with very different, yet equally meaningful, traditions.
๐ถ Music in the Air: Carols vs. J-Pop Year-End Songs
In the Philippines, September brings the unmistakable sound of Christmas carols on the radio, in malls, and even in jeepneys. From Josรฉ Mari Chanโs classics to lively caroling in neighborhoods, music sets the joyful tone for nearly four months.
Meanwhile in Japan, December is marked by Kลhaku Uta Gassen, the famous year-end music program on NHK. Rather than Christmas carols, the Japanese soundtrack of the season comes from pop, enka, and idol group performances, leading up to the countdown to the New Year.