More rains to come as ‘Simbang Gabi’ begins

Celebrate Christmas come rain, shine or economic difficulty — and be prepared with cold-weather gear and lots of cheer.

The first of the nine-day novena of Advent will be greeted not only with the wild flapping of roosters’ wings and cock-crows but also by the incessant rainfall brought about by three prevailing weather systems, according to the weather forecasts of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (Pag-asa).

In addition to the northeasterly wind locally called amihan, which is responsible for the cold and nippy air during the Christmas season, weathermen also reported the presence of a low-pressure area some 280 kilometers east of Mindanao and an inter-tropical convergence zone (ICZ) affecting the area.

Eastern and southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and isolated thunderstorms that will become widespread over the Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas and Eastern Mindanao, according to weather forecasts.

With these prevailing weather systems, expect cold drizzle from early evening to early morning, so bring raincoats, umbrellas and don thick sweaters, as the remainder of the Simbang Gabi (dawn Mass), which begins today, is likely to be cold and wet.

For Catholics, Advent begins today and the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has called on Filipino families to celebrate Christmas despite the economic hardships they may face.

CBCP secretary-general Msgr. Hernando Coronel said the bishops want Filipino families to attend the Simbang Gabi novena masses and prepare a meaningful Christmas Eve feast or Noche Buena to commemorate the welcome given to the Christ child or Santo Niño however they can.