'Simbang Gabi' ushers in Pinoy Christmas

MANILA, Philippines - Today, the faithful will again begin a Christmas tradition as they start the nine-day Simbang Gabi or dawn Masses.

The popular Filipino tradition, which culminates with the Christmas Eve Mass to welcome the birth of Jesus Christ, dates back to 1587 in Mexico.

During this time, Fray Diego de Soria, prior of the convent of San Agustin Acolman, asked the Pope if it was possible to hold Christmas Mass outdoors because the church could no longer accommodate the huge number of people attending the evening Mass. The Pope granted the petition of Soria.

This tradition was introduced in the country by the Spaniards and it has changed little over the centuries.

As it was in Spanish times, Simbang Gabi was held shortly before the break of day to symbolize the actual time of the birth of Jesus Christ.

The early morning schedule gave birth to the term “Misa de Gallo,” referring to the time when the cocks started crowing.

In the early times, parish priests even knocked on the doors of the faithful to wake them up and gather them for the Mass.

Much later, the Filipino Simbang Gabi incorporated features that showed the festivity of the Christmas season in the Philippines.

Brass bands would make the rounds of the community, waking people up for the Mass.

After the Mass, churchgoers would feast on bibingka, suman, puto bungbong, queso de bola, salabat  and other native delicacies in the church courtyard.

It was also observed that the Simbang Gabi has become a social event, a chance for people to meet relatives and friends.

Meantime, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Jesus Verzosa yesterday ordered all policemen nationwide to activate their respective public safety plans for the Yuletide season.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said Verzosa directed police unit commanders to maintain maximum police visibility in their vicinity of Catholic churches where the Simbang Gabi will be celebrated.

Although there is no specific threat during the holiday season, Espina said uniformed policemen will be deployed in the field as a crime prevention measure.

Police units were also instructed to be vigilant and on the lookout for gang activity or frat wars that may erupt in some neighborhoods, and to strictly enforce the ban on dangerous and illegal firecrackers.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), for its part, would intensify foot and mobile patrols in Metro Manila as Filipinos observe the Simbang Gabi.

The 15,000-strong NCRPO is on heightened alert and Metro police chief Director Roberto Rosales said 75 percent of their personnel are deployed in the streets.

The deployment of security personnel would start at 4 a.m. today and would last until Dec. 31. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe, Non Alquitran, Evelyn Macairan