Easter Across Cultures: Blending Filipino and Ukrainian Traditions at Home

Easter Across Cultures: Blending Filipino and Ukrainian Traditions at Home

Easter has always been a time of deep-rooted tradition, family gatherings, and rich cultural expressions. In our multicultural home, we’ve found a way to honour both Filipino and Ukrainian Easter traditions, blending them into a celebration that reflects our shared heritage. Each culture has its own unique ways of marking this special time of year, from solemn observances to vibrant feasts, and together, we create new traditions that carry the spirit of both.

Easter in the Philippines: Faith, Reflection, and Feasting

Easter Sunday, however, is a time of great joy and renewal. The highlight of the morning is the Salubong, a dramatic pre-dawn ritual where two processions—one with a statue of the Risen Christ and the other with a veiled Virgin Mary—meet in front of the church, symbolizing the reunion of mother and son. Once the veil is lifted from Mary’s statue, church bells ring, and the celebration begins.

Food plays a central role in Filipino Easter gatherings. The feast often includes:

• Lechon Kawali – Crispy deep-fried pork belly, a favourite at any celebration.

• Pancit Malabon – A rich noodle dish topped with seafood and eggs.

• Kare-Kare – A peanut-based oxtail stew, often enjoyed with bagoong (fermented shrimp paste).

• Bibingka and Puto Bumbong – Traditional rice cakes associated with festive occasions.

• Tsokolate – A thick, rich Filipino hot chocolate made from tablea (pure cacao).

After the solemnity of Holy Week, Easter becomes a time for family, laughter, and, of course, feasting.

Easter in Ukraine: Symbolism, Art, and a Festive Feast

Easter in Ukraine, known as Velykden (The Great Day), is a celebration filled with symbolism, tradition, and carefully prepared foods. Ukrainian Easter is not just about religious observances—it is also deeply connected to the arrival of spring and the renewal of life.

On Holy Saturday, families prepare their Easter basket, which is taken to church for a special blessing. This basket includes:

• Paska – A sweet, enriched Easter bread, often adorned with religious symbols made from dough.

• Kovbasa – Smoked Ukrainian sausage.

• Salo – Cured pork fat, a beloved delicacy.

• Horseradish – Symbolizing the bitterness of Christ’s suffering.

• Cheese and butter – Representing the richness of life.

• Hard-boiled eggs – Representing renewal and the resurrection.

Easter morning begins with the breaking of the fast, and families enjoy a lavish meal featuring dishes such as:

• Holubtsi – Cabbage rolls stuffed with rice and meat.

• Borscht – A beet-based soup, sometimes served with dumplings.

• Paska and Babka – Sweet Easter breads, often served with honey or jam.

• Cheesecake and Makivnyk – A poppy seed roll, perfect with tea.

The entire day is spent feasting, visiting loved ones, and celebrating new beginnings.

Our Home: A Fusion of Filipino and Ukrainian Easter Traditions

Now, in our multicultural household, we have found ways to blend these two rich traditions into something uniquely ours. We honour the deep spirituality of both cultures while also embracing the joy of food, family, and togetherness.

We start with a blend of rituals, from decorating eggs in vibrant pysanky-inspired designs to preparing an Easter meal that showcases both Filipino and Ukrainian dishes. Our Easter table is a true reflection of our heritage:

• Lechon Kawali alongside Kovbasa – A perfect pairing of crispy pork and smoked sausage.

• Sinigang na Baboy and Borscht – Two comforting soups, one sour and tamarind-based, the other earthy and beet-based.

• Paska with Tsokolate – The rich, fluffy Ukrainian Easter bread pairs beautifully with thick Filipino hot chocolate.

• Holubtsi and Pancit Malabon – A mix of hearty cabbage rolls and savoury noodles.

• Bibingka and Cheesecake – A sweet finale that marries rice cake with creamy Ukrainian dessert traditions.

Beyond the food, we create new traditions that bring our cultures together. We dye eggs using both pysanky and Filipino-style bright colours. We share the Salubong’s message of renewal while also taking time to bless our Easter meal in a way that honours Ukrainian customs. And most importantly, we gather with loved ones, embracing the warmth and love that both cultures hold dear.

Easter, like culture itself, is constantly evolving. By blending Filipino and Ukrainian traditions, we not only honour our roots but also create something new—something that feels like home. And in the end, that’s what truly matters: celebrating the past while embracing the future, one tradition at a time.