In the Philippines, celebrating a child’s seventh birthday is seen as an important way to start off their life on the right foot. This tradition is rooted in the belief that this age marks an important milestone in a child’s development and worthy of a celebration.
The 7th birthday is a very special occasion in the Philippines because it marks the year when a child can be held more accountable for his or her actions. This accountability includes both privileges and responsibilities, which the child must learn to balance.
It is around this age when they enter grade school, when they start to develop skills and values, along with other important traits that will help them succeed as they grow older.
How Do We Celebrate 7th Birthday in the Philippines?
Based on my personal experience as a dad of two boys, Filipinos often make 7th birthdays extra special. Renting a restaurant complete with a program, hosts, mascots, kiddie games, and food are a common option for most families. If they prefer to celebrate at home, expect that almost all relatives will be invited to come and enjoy this special day with their pamangkin or apo.
Some would even follow a certain traditional format for the celebration, like having seven wishes or seven treasures for the birthday celebrant. This is of course just another way of wishin the birthday boy or girl the best on this new milestone in their life.