Two, three or even more songs are sung during the Nobenan Niño (Christmas novena) which takes place in the homes nine (nuebe - NOBEna) days or nights before Christmas, or sometime after Christmas, depending on the family.
These songs are a very important part of the experience. The melodies put us in a Christmas mood, even if we don't all understand the words.
The techa, who leads the nobena, often observed the children very closely. Usually a woman, she expected all the kids to join in singing the songs, at least the chorus or refrain of every song. If she saw that you were not singing, she'd give you a pinch if she were close enough to you. Otherwise, she'd stare you down or maybe mouth the word "kånta" or "sing!" It wasn't good enough for you to just physically be there; you had to participate and pray the nobena at least by singing its songs.
Another reason why the techa wanted all the kids to sing was so that the whole neighborhood would know there was a nobena going on at that house. Kids sing loudly, if they know the song. What better advertisement!?! This way, everyone would know that there was a nobena at that house and all were welcome to come to the house and join in.
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