Photographed by Karl King Aguña for the December 2025/January 2026 Issue of Vogue Philippines. Artwork by Bea Lu
For Steph Verano, the holidays are low-key: lechon on the table, peppermint mocha in hand, and new romcoms on Netflix.
This holiday season, Vogue Philippines speaks to designer Steph Verano for Festive Files, a series on how Filipino creatives celebrate Christmas. She gives us an insight into her holiday traditions and the small rituals she values each year.
What’s your favorite thing about Christmas in the Philippines?
Everyone’s both excited and relaxed, company Christmas parties, and the roads are all peaceful on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Do you have any holiday traditions that are unique to your family?
My family’s super chill; Christmas and New Year’s Eve are always celebrated at home. We all wait for the clock to show it’s 12 midnight to greet each other and start eating. Then, we sleep not long after. [Laughs]
What’s the one Filipino Christmas food you can’t live without?
Lechon.
How do you usually spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?
At home, rest. And a must: the Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino from Starbucks.
Are there any childhood holiday memories that still make you smile?
Lighting fireworks, though we don’t do it anymore, and waiting for Santa was such a highlight as a kid.
What’s your go-to Christmas or New Year outfit?
Comfy, loose clothing.
Do you have any favorite holiday songs or movies that you watch every year?
“Christmas Can’t Be Very Far Away” by Amy Grant, and any new rom-com movie on Netflix.
Are there any New Year’s Eve rituals or superstitions you follow?
We were told, as kids, to jump and jump when the clock strikes midnight, to grow tall. That and preparing round fruits on the table.
