MANILA, Philippines -- Simbang Gabi, or Midnight Mass celebrated in all Philippine churches everyday for nine days at around 4 a.m. starting Dec. 16, is a tradition started during the Spanish colonial period. Among Catholics, the belief is that if a person completes the nine consecutive Midnight Masses (or Misa de Gallo in Spanish), one will be rewarded with blessings from God, usually a wish granted.
The Simbang Gabi is usually followed by a breakfast of Filipino food including puto bumbong or bibingka with tsokolate or salabat.