24/12/2025
Christmas has many definitions in a country like the Philippines. For Filipinos residing or working overseas, it is a time to reunite with loved ones. For others, it means completing Simbang Gabi, a Catholic tradition of attending a series of dawn or evening masses from December 16 to 24 in preparation for Christmas.
The holiday rush may be troublesome, but if you pause and look around, you’ll see many things that only come during this season—like beautiful churches adorned with lights and ornaments.
With mobile phones now capable of taking high-quality photos, and AI making the process even easier, capturing the perfect shot is often just a click away. But for photo enthusiasts or sentimental souls, there is a deeper appreciation for the process itself. This is reflected in these photos of various churches published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer and taken in 2004 using a Nikon F90X.
Tips from photographer Jim Guiao Punzalan: for best results, use a tripod. If unavailable, rely on steady hands and a negative two-second delay setting.
Just like finding time to pause amid the holiday rush, photography is not always about speed and perfection.
May you find the true meaning of Christmas in a life filled with moments worth pausing for, and may you cherish what truly matters.
- REDSKINS Images
