Why is ham considered the star of Noche Buena?

A Filipino Christmas celebration would not be complete without ham. But did you know how this processed meat came to be known as the star of Noche Buena?

According to Dano Tingcungco's report on "24 Oras Weekend," Sunday, Spaniards brought ham to the Philippines when they colonized the country.

Because the meat is preserved, it can last during the long journey from Spain to the Philippines. The friars then had it at their Noche Buena table, and it became a status symbol for elites.

"Ipinapakita dito na kahit tayo mahirap na mga Pilipino ay kaya natin na magbili, kaya natin na maghanda ng ganitong klase ng hamon," said food historian Jaime Salvador Corpuz.

("It shows that even though we Filipinos are poor, we can still afford to buy and serve this kind of ham.")

He said, however, that the meaning of ham has changed over time. Now, it symbolizes the fruits of our labor for the whole year.

"Kahit paapaano sa kanilang munting kinikita sa kanilang hanapbuhay eh napaglalaanan nila ang hamon bilang isa sa mga natatangi na pagkain na pagsasaluhan pagka panahon ng ka-Paskuhan," Corpuz said.

("Even with their meager income from their jobs, they still have a budget for ham as a special food that will be shared during Christmas.")

"Ito rin 'yung nagbibitbit ng tinatawag natin na bonding sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino," he added. "Ang hamon siya ay isang connector, nagre-reunite siya sa bawat miyembro ng pamilya."

("This also brings bonding to every Filipino family. The ham is a connector that reunites each member of the family.")

—MGP, GMA Integrated News