🎄 The “Ber” Months: Filipino Christmas vs. Japanese Holiday Season 🎍

As soon as the calendar flips to September, Filipinos feel the magic of Christmas in the air. For many, the arrival of the “Ber months” (September, October, November, December) signals the beginning of the world’s longest holiday season. On the other hand, in Japan, the focus of the holiday season is not Christmas but the New Year’s celebration. This contrast offers a fascinating look into two cultures with very different, yet equally meaningful, traditions.

🎶 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 José Mari Chan’s classics to lively caroling in neighborhoods, music sets the joyful tone for nearly four months.

Meanwhile in Japan, December is marked by Kōhaku 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.