Pages

Social Spark

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Our Very Own "Simbang Gabi"

It's Simbang Gabi or Night Mass, but it's held early morning which varies usually from 3:00 to 5:00 a.m., depending on a Roman Catholic parish church.  In our parish for instance, the mass starts at 4:00 in the morning.  Maybe it was termed "night" due to the fact that it's still dark in our place during those particular time.  And according to trivia, the practice started when our country was under the Spanish regime, early mass were held for farmers so that they could still start early in planting in the fields and finish their tasks before noon.

It starts December 16 and ends on the 24th of the same month.  The last day being celebrated before Christmas Eve, as we call it "Misa de Gallo" which means Rooster's Mass (the name originates from the Roman's association of the cockcrow to the start of the day, eve or midnight).  But as practiced, we usually have the last Simbang Gabi mass at 10:00 p.m., to give the people ample time to go home and make their finishing touches in their Noche Buena preparations.

I was able to wake up early and attended the very first "Simbang Gabi" today.  I should have been with my daughter, but she decided not to come in the last minute.  As I arrived, the church was already congested, so I had no choice but to stay outside.  After I said my prayers, I couldn't help but observed the people around.  Some were asleep while standing but a lot were there to meet their friends and chat.  It was a lot more of being festive  rather than being solemn in prayer.  It's not a bad thing though, but there's always a right place and time for everything.


After the mass, outside the church, one would find various Filipino delicacies like suman, biko, sapin-sapin, puto at kutsinta, cassava cake, bitsu-bitsu among others, made from "malagkit" or glutinous rice, cassava flour and other native ingredients.  I was looking for "puto bumbong" but no one was selling at that time, there was "siomai" or steamed dumplings instead.  As a lot of fast food chains and food cart businesses are opening in the city, so as the diversity of food.  But a lot of Filipinos still go to what they were used to having especially during the season.


It's nearing Christmas and the days are moving fast, it's just like telling us that after all the trials we've been through, no matter how difficult it may seem, there's always hope.  And for me, that's the very essence of Jesus' birth.  Yahweh bless.

22 comments:

  1. omg! those foods I really missed them much!! I mean, I dont or we dont celebrate xmas since we are a member or INC but i love going with my friends and try those yummy delicasies! xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've completed Simbang Gabi only once though I like this one tradition we keep during Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Simbang Gabi is one experience na once or twice ko lang nagawa. Since Baprtist kami, medyo ayaw ni dad na sumama ako sa mga barkada ko. But during those two times eh nag-enjoy din ako, lalo na yung puto-bumbong. Medyo turn-off lang ako seing church goers na natutulog lang habang may misa.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm missin' the Misa de Gallo already.. it has been a great experience! sacrifice the normal sleeping hours but then, it was worth doing it. haay.. :D

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have never completed any Simbang Gabi yet, and they say that when you completed the 9 days just wish and it will be granted.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hello Ralph.

    Did you finish attending all the early morning Simbang Gabi? Maybe your daughter was still too sleepy that first day that was why he decided not to attend the mass.

    Anyway, I miss bico and sapin-sapin... a lot! With hot cocoa!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I also love the Christmas food that is all around during the Christmas Season and especially during Simbang Gabi like puto bumbong.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I have really good memories of childhood and teenage days of simbang gabi since we are just near the parish church. Hopefully the tradition continues but the solemnity of it does not disappear. Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I was converted to a different religion 4 years ago, honestly, I think this was one of the Catholic traditions which I miss the most.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hats off ako sa mga kaibigan ko Roman Catholic, nabubuo nila ang 9 days na Misa de Gallo.

    ReplyDelete
  11. sayang hindi ko nakumpleto yun simbang gabi ngayon taon.. pero okay lang magiging masaya naman ako ngayon pasko eh hehehe

    ReplyDelete
  12. Namiss ko ang pasko sa probinsya- very pinoy ang mga pagkain- sarap!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Parang fiesta ng mga kakanin, konti na lang kase ang nagtitinda dito sa amin ng halos lahat ng klase, nakakagutom :)

    Maligayang Pasko!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am not a Catholic so Simbang Gabi is out.the food is inviting, so I'll just wake up to buy those delicious food.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Honestly, I haven't tried this one yet. :(

    ReplyDelete
  16. totoo yan. marame barkadahan nasa simbahan noh? anyways, aside from having a closer connection to God when I attend masses, i always anticipate those kakanins after the mass. hehehe, masarap kumaen pag malamig, wla lang.

    ReplyDelete
  17. What I love about simbang gabi is that mass songs..
    The music is extra special, some even sung in latin in classical style.
    I remember being enamored just by listening to it.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I am not a cathoilc so Simbang Gabi is out pero yung mga pagkain na tinitnda , I can go there just to eat and enjoy the Simbang gabi.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I've never tasted puto bungbong, but i love bibingka

    ReplyDelete
  20. simbang gabi here start with 4 am too

    ReplyDelete
  21. Sad to say I was not able to attend to any of the 9 night masses this year.. bawi nalang next year..:)

    ReplyDelete
  22. I can't imagine getting up at 4:00 in the morning for even good food. Have a wonderful Christmas.

    ReplyDelete