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What better way for the Festive Fans to celebrate the end of our third season, than by abandoning the snow-covered streets, roaring fireplaces, and winter landscapes of most holiday movies, books and songs to travel down south. It is June, so we are off to a place known for its tropical warmth, rich cultural heritage and vibrant holiday music and dancing. We wanted a party-like atmosphere, so we have selected a country that blends Spanish, Indigenous, African, and Caribbean influences, creating a unique and different Christmas experience. Despite the warm temperatures, the merry atmosphere here is just as festive.

We are in the Republic of Panama, the southernmost country in Central America. While the country is known for its famous canal, Panama is also a natural land bridge, connecting South and Central America. Because of its unique geography, plant and animal life from both continents flourish here. Its biodiversity is one of the richest in the world, three times higher than the United State, Canada and Europe combined, with more than 10,000 plant species, 200 mammal species, and more than 1,000 bird species.

What is perhaps not so colorful is the Panamanian indie movie we watched, The Family Tree. This film aims to be a classic Christmas tale but ends up more like a formulaic melodrama with acting akin to a soap opera. The film and the story are so weak, they create a negative impression of the country. However, with Panama's natural beauty, friendly people, and unique holiday traditions, it is almost enough to offset the 131 minutes of tedium before we get back to the celebrating.

The lively music does help. “Os Almirantes” is a Panamanian ska punk and rock band, and we listen to their popular Christmas song, "Merry Christmas Panama", released in 2020. The song captures the genuine spirit and rhythms of Panama, referencing family preparations, holiday foods, and midnight fireworks. Music plays such an essential part of Christmas in Panama, as dancing and lively parties continue late into the night, with traditional folk music, salsa, and popular holiday songs.

Obviously, The Family Tree should not define our perception of Panama. The true spirit of Christmas can be found anywhere in the world, no matter the weather or their movies. By looking beyond the screen, we discover a country that is worth exploring and celebrating with its breathtaking scenery, deep musical history, and vibrant cultural diversity.

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Festive Fans Unite! (send us a message)

Well, the Festive Fans have been toiling for three years, searching out celebrations, rich traditions, and delicious food from all over the world. We find joy in all of the countries we visit, as we continue our search for the happiest and most magical places on Earth. Like climbing a mystical mountain, we may have finally reached the pinnacle. Our podcast about the Philippines does not just describe a destination, it is a culture that embraces Christmas with unmatched passion and heart. Few countries celebrate the Yuletide season with as much energy, love, and spirit as the Philippines, making it truly the best holiday location in the world, and the Festive Fans admit we are thrilled.

Our experience in the Philippines is like reaching a sacred destination. We have spent years on a hunt for the true global spirit of Christmas. We have traveled the world seeking the best holiday destinations, where Christmas is genuine and magical. And, we have finally arrived at the optimal location, which is like finally arriving to meet that mysterious guru at the top of the mountain.

Just like the seeker who climbs a steep path hoping to gain wisdom, visitors who experience Christmas in the Philippines discover a celebration so rich in warmth and humanity that it does feel spiritually enlightening. The guru at the top of the mountain symbolizes our podcast as well, as we both try to expand consciousness, broaden horizons, and dissolve country borders. The emotional warmth of Christmas in the Philippines can be transformative, much like the beauty and reflection displayed by that fabled teacher.

One of the most remarkable reasons the Philippines is the best holiday location is that it celebrates the longest Christmas season in the world. Festivities begin as early as September and continue until January. The moment the “ber” months arrive, Christmas songs fill shopping malls, colorful lanterns light up the streets, and homes become decorated with sparkling lights and ornaments.

While many people associate Christmas with snow, the Philippines provides a tropical alternative filled with white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush mountains. This combination of holiday spirit and paradise-like landscapes makes the experience truly unforgettable.

We also learn so much this episode, as we discuss the Philippian tradition of Simbang Gabi, which is the ultimate test of Christmas devotion with nine pre-dawn masses. This custom is portrayed in the film we review -- 9 Mornings — which is not just about Simbang Gabi, but also a romantic drama. It promises to fully ignite your Christmas spirit. There are lessons here, but without being preachy, religious or melodramatic. Much like The Christmas Carol, the story is simple, as it examines how the true meaning of Christmas is about finding your purpose in life.

We also give a well-deserved shout out to the wives and mothers in our lives, and we hear from the most important people who matter, our kids. And maybe that’s the perfect conclusion to this episode. It highlights the best things in our lives — our kids, wives, and, of course, the Philippines at Christmastime!

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For this episode, our journey unfolds under warm African skies and rolling green hills, as we venture out of the lingering winter cold and into the famous mountains of Volcanoes National Park. Instead of tinsel and lights, we are surrounded by dormant volcanoes, dense rainforest, and bamboo groves. This is the land where Dian Fossey lived for 18 years, studying and protecting the mountain gorillas. The Festive Fans are in Rwanda, the land of Gorillas in the Mist.

The same mist that once cloaked Fossey’s research camps still lingers, softening and blurring the line between past and present. Rwanda’s story is powerful because of its remarkable success over the past three decades. It is currently one of Africa’s fastest-growing and most forward-looking countries. Rwanda has found a way to embrace both its amazing natural heritage and the profound human tragedy that occurred there.

In the aftermath of the 1994 genocide, the country faced incredible challenges, including a devastated infrastructure, deep social divisions, and a shattered economy. Yet Rwanda has deliberately worked to redefine its global image, from one defined by tragedy in the past to one associated with unity and possibility for the future.

Overall, Rwanda offers a different perspective on the Christmas holiday—one with less emphasis on lights, trees, and shopping, and more on simple acts of faith and gratitude. The atmosphere is festive but modest. It’s less about spectacle and more about meaning, making it a powerful reminder of what the season represents at its core.

Rwanda is a leader in environmental conservation, where plastic bags are banned, communities participate in monthly clean-up days (Umuganda), and conservation of landscapes like Volcanoes National Park is a national priority. This commitment to conservation, sustainability, and stewardship mirrors how Christmas is celebrated across the country. There is an emphasis on simplicity, shared meals, and gathering.

Rwanda’s Christmas is not just a religious or cultural event, but also an expression of the country’s philosophy that caring for one another and caring for the natural world can be deeply intertwined. In this way, its famous mountain gorillas are woven into this deeper Yuletide message that care, respect, and coexistence — amongst people, nature, and the animal kingdom — are at the heart of what truly makes the season meaningful.

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