THE FEAST OF THE 3 KINGS

Tomorrow, January 6, is the Feast of the 3 Kings (Araw ng Tatlong Hari). In the Philippines, this usually marks the end of the Christmas season with the end of New Year festivities and start of work and school. The feast is also called "The Epiphany" which commemorates the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi.

For centuries, the magical bearers of gifts for Filipino children were the Three Kings, not Santa Claus. Shoes were brightly polished and left on the window sills toferther with the cleanest socks, fresh from the laundry. The children knew that the Three Kings, on their way to Bethlehem, would pass by their homes to fill their shoes and socks with gifts. Some would thoughtfully leave some straw or dry grass for the camels; if these were gone in the morning, surely the camels must have been terribly hungry.

In the city of Manila, it has been a tradition for dacades to organize a Three Kings' parade on January 6 or the first Sunday of January. Dressed in royal robes, the Three Kings ride on stately horses as there are no camels in the Philippines. There are gifts prepared for the poor children and orphans.

In the town of Gapan in Marinduque, a religious folk play is presented in which the Three Kings follow a star and meet Herod who later "runs amok" by chopping off the heads of infants, as well as demolishing his own palace. The Kings eventually find the holy manger with the Infant Jesus.





source:http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/Cynthia/festivals/three_kings.htm