'Simbang Gabi' officially starts Christmas season

MANILA, Philippines - The traditional Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo begins today, officially starting the Christmas season.

The nine-day dawn Masses are held at 4 a.m. to commemorate the actual birth of Christ.

In earlier days the schedule of the Mass was convenient for rural folk who had to wake up early to work in the fields or go out to sea.

Before heading for the farm or the shore, they would first hear Mass and ask for God’s blessing. It was said that the parish priest would even knock on the doors of villagers to gather them for the Mass.

Later, the Simbang Gabi incorporated the festivities of the Christmas season. Brass bands would make the round of communities, waking up people with the marching music.

Then huge Christmas lanterns also became fashionable, bringing color to the previously simple Christmas celebration.

Before Christmas lanterns were introduced, mass-goers lighted their way to the church with candles.           

On Christmas Eve, mass-goers look forward to the traditional Noche Buena or Christmas feast. The holiday spread is likely to include native rice cakes such as bibingka, suman, and puto bumbong; as well as queso de bola. To keep warm during the cold weather, salabat or ginger tea is served.                            

The tradition dates back to 1587 in Mexico, when Fray Diego de Soria, prior of the convent of San Agustin Acolman, petitioned the Pope to hold Christmas Mass outdoors to accommodate the huge number of mass-goers.                                       Upon arrival of the Spanish conquistadores in the Philippines in the 17th century, the Christmas Eucharist was introduced to native Filipinos and tradition hardly changed over the centuries.                                   In modern times, the Simbang Gabi has also become an opportunity to keep in touch with relatives and friends.  

Young men take advantage of the early masses to court girls; lovers also tend to spend more time in the churchyard rather than inside, to the annoyance of bishops. 

Bishop Joel Baylon, in fact, proposed the installation of speakers and wide screens outside the Church to force young people to pay attention to the sermon. 

He said half of the population of mass-goers are young men who want to see the girl they are courting, or young couples using the mass as an excuse to meet. 

Despite the changing social mores, people continue to attend the dawn masses, giving the Church an opportunity to renew its efforts at evangelization.  

Some people still challenge each other to complete all nine masses.  

The tradition is alive even in the metropolis.   

Security situation

As Simbang Gabi starts today, the National Capital Region Police (NCRPO) has increased vigilance against crimes that usually proliferate during the season.                  

NCRPO chief Alan Purisima met yesterday with his five district directors and 38 station commanders to map out security preparations for the Simbang Gabi activities.         

“There’s no need for us to raise our alert level as we received no terrorist and other threats during the occasion,” he said.

Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Chief Superintendent George Regis ordered his officers to watch out for petty thievery in churches.

Manila Police District (MPD) spokesman Chief Inspector Erwin Margarejo said they would look out for youth gangs causing trouble during Simbang Gabi.

Manila police would pay special attention to the Manila Cathedral, Quiapo Church, San Agustin Church, Santo Nio Church in Tondo, and churches in Malate and Sta. Ana. – With Non Alquitran, Evelyn Macairan