Simbang Gabi 2014 - Day 5 and 6

Simbang Gabi really isn't an easy task to fulfill, waking up very early in the morning and going to church to attend mass and preparing for Christmas. Even going out at the late hours of night for the anticipated Simbang Gabi isn't easy as well. But the experience is definitely worth it and there is a sense of fulfillment and blessing when you attend even at least one time. Whether you complete the days or just attend one, it's always great to go and keep this tradition alive.

For the last two Simbang Gabi masses, I attended the anticipated masses so I didn't wake up early in the morning.

Day 5 - Santuario de San Pedro Bautista

Experiencing the Simbang Gabi in other churches is fine, but it always pays to be careful (especially at dawn) and its best to go to a church that's near your place (such as Christ the King), accessible (such as UST) or both. San Pedro Bautista isn't that far from my place but it's not that accessible and going here at dawn might not be that safe. I wanted to go here though and I went here for the anticipated mass for the 5th day. It was the second mass I attended that day since earlier in the morning, I attended dawn mass at UST. The church was full, like always but not as filled as in the dawn mass. The readings though were the same as in the dawn mass. The priest emphasized on the power of prayer. We have to be consistent in prayer, be humble and God would bless us in due time. Good thing that with this, I finally went here for a Simbang Gabi. :)

Day 6 - Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord, SM Megamall

I usually go to SM Megamall whenever I'm in the Ortigas area or if there's a cosplay event and very few times, I go to SM Megamall's chapel for Mass and this was the case when I went there for the 6th Day of the (anticipated) Simbang Gabi. It was also an anticipated mass for the 4th Sunday of Advent. Since it's the last weekend before Christmas, many people flocked the mall and before the mass began, I went around. Like in many Simbang Gabi masses, the chapel was filled. The gospel focused on the event of the Annunciation, when the Angel Gabriel came to Mary and told her that she would become the mother of Jesus. The homily for this mass was the best one yet. The monsignor said that for those who put God above everything, nothing is impossible and we will go through many difficult moments, and yet God will always be with us as we go through them. He also made people laugh as well. The choir was amazing. Overall, a great setting to attend Simbang Gabi. Unlike last year I went, I took the MRT on the way home. Dropped at Quezon ave. Station, near Centris and checked the place out before taking the bus home. Good thing, the traffic, especially near Araneta was bad.

Monsignor Roberto Canlas, main presider and homilist.

With this, only 3 days of Simbang Gabi to go then it's gonna be Christmas. Not to mention, 2015 is fast approaching. Are we ready? :)