Simbang Gabi 2014 - Day 3 and 4

Simbang Gabi is something I always look forward to. Since it is only once a year, it's best to take the opportunity to complete the nine days, or at least attend even once. Many people try to complete the nine day novena in the hopes of having their wishes granted. Simbang Gabi can also be an adventure as well. Sometimes, it's nice to go to different places to attend it but it should be noted though that the early morning hour (and even nightime) can be unsafe, so if you go anywhere, even to your own parish for the mass, it pays to be careful. But even with the idea of wishes and the adventure, Simbang Gabi in the end is not about those but is a way of preparing for Christmas and focusing on why we have this season. So far, the Mass for the 4th day is done and in my case, I've attended all of it thus far.

Day 3 - Immaculate Conception Parish, Marikina City

Attending Simbang Gabi in a place you haven't experienced it before is, IMO, a nice experience and that's what I had for the 3rd day. Now, I had the thought of going to Simbang Gabi in Marikina for a while and decided I should do it at a right time. I mean, going to Marikina and spending an overnight stay at my dad's place just to attend it doesn't seem like a good reason. Finally, I went on with going to Marikina last Wednesday, since there's some activities and my ninang and cousins left for vacation in the USA on the next day. Overall, my stay there was great since I spent time with dad and my relatives. Some things I did there were a bike ride with dad and a group that he's part of on Wednesday night and being with my cousins before they leave for vacation yesterday.

Now, for the Misa de Gallo, I went to Concepcion Church. While that was my plan at first, I had a thought of going to Our Lady of the Abandoned at the Bayan but in the end, I stuck with my original plan. This parish had two dawn masses and I got there at the last part of the first mass, so I attended the second one at 4:30 AM. The church was packed at both masses. Imagine, if there was only one mass instead of two, you'd be seeing an SRO church with people all over the place, and both masses already had a lot of people attending (the 2nd mass had a bigger crowd I think). The Gospel focused on St. Joseph, who would become the foster father of Jesus and would be with Mary, who was already bearing Jesus. It was a nice celebration and a good experience to attend Simbang Gabi in a new place for it. On a personal note, it's been a while since I've attended mass here and this was my parish when I was living in Marikina, though I went to a chapel near our place for mass. Now, my former place is under a new parish.

Day 4 - Santissimo Rosario Parish, UST

For the 4th day, it was either one of two places; UST or Sto. Domingo Church along Quezon ave. Between the two it wasn't easy to choose, not to mention that both places are under the Dominican Order. There are differences of course. UST's starts at 4 AM while Sto. Domingo's starts at 4:30. In the end, I went on with UST (but I'm thinking of going to Sto. Domingo in the future). I decided UST since I thought it'll be at the field this time but it was still held at the Chapel. Like day 2, one of our helpers here accompanied me and we arrived at about 4 AM, when the mass was about to start. Since we arrived late, I made a run for it to the church and the entrance hymn took place when I got there. I wasn't feeling good at first because I got irritated with the jeep that took us to UST. It's not easy to concentrate on the mass when you're feeling bad but things got better as the mass went on. The readings of the day focused on events that led to the birth of two Biblical figures. The first reading focused on the birth of Samson while the Gospel focused on that of John the Baptist, when the Angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah telling him that his wife Elizabeth will have a son. Like last time, people attended from even outside the church. After the mass, I went to Sto. Domingo while ate went home immediately. I went to Sto. Domingo just to check out their Misa de Gallo and the mass just ended there when I came. The crowd there was so big, I decided not to go inside the church anymore due to the number of churchgoers leaving. Also, after the mass at UST, some people were taking selfies. Guess they don't wanna miss the chance of doing so... (then again, why not? :) Though di naman ako mahilig magselfie, hehe. :P)

Now, with that, were almost halfway through the Misa de Gallo. Are some of you readers attending Simbang Gabi/Misa de Gallo?

With that, I'm done with this post. Thanks for reading! :D

Simbang Gabi 2014 - Day 1 and 2

Christmas is a few days from now and other than the holiday rush, shopping and other Christmas activities, these days mean one thing for us here in the Philippines and Filipinos in other countries; Simbang Gabi. The Simbang Gabi is a series of novena masses held over the nine days before Christmas starting on the 16th (i.e. yesterday) until Christmas Eve. It also goes by the names Misa de Gallo or Misa de Aguinaldo. One of the most popular traditions, many Catholics go to church to attend mass at an early morning hour or late at night. There is also the anticipated Simbang Gabi that happens at late at night starting from the 15th until the 23rd for those who couldn't attend and/or prefer not to attend the dawn mass. This event, one of the best (probably the best, actually) Christmas traditions we have keeps us focused on the reason why we celebrate Christmas: The Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

This is one of those activities that I have been long waiting for during the Christmas season and attending these nine days is an exciting experience and a blessing. Like others, I hope to complete the nine day novena. It's not gonna be easy for sure but I believe I can do this. :) It's only day 2 though and there's only 7 more to go. So far, here's where I've been attending.

Day 1 - Christ the King Parish, Project 7, Quezon City.

To start off the Simbang Gabi, I attended the mass at our parish. Although I did set up my alarm, I woke up on my own (most likely because I was excited). Both our katulongs (helpers) here in our place attended this mass and I accompanied one of them while walking to the church (she also came with me the next day). About that time, there were people were already on the way. The church itself looked festive. Parols (Christmas lanterns) decorated the church interior and lights brightened up the church facade. Mass at the parish begins at 4:30 AM. In his homily, the priest quoted Pope Francis on mercy and based on that, preached about God's mercy and patience. He also talked about the importance of patience and of being grateful for our blessings. The mass was solemn and the crowd was so big that many people in the congregation were outside of the church. In fact, most people who attend Simbang Gabi are young people like myself. The choir was festive, singing Christmas songs. Right after the mass,some of the people went to the food stalls selling bibingka and puto bumbong. I bought puto bumbong for breakfast. I went home alone though. A great start to the Simbang Gabi. (^_^)

Belen without the Child Jesus

Day 2 - Santissimo Rosario Parish, UST, Manila

For the second day, I went this time to my school in UST. Like the day before, I got excited again that I woke up at times. Of all the places I have been to for the Simbang Gabi, this is my most favorite place. It's accessible, the atmosphere is festive and the mass is very solemn. In the case of UST, the dawn mass can take place in one of two locations; the open field or the parish. If the open field can't be used (usually because of rain), like in today's case, it will be held in the parish church. Today, one our helpers accompanied me for this day (but we stayed at different places at the church). The gospel of the day focused on the Genealogy of Christ. The priest preached about giving our love for others and the importance of waiting and finding joy in waiting. To emphasize his points, he talked about his personal experiences. Good homily, although it was long. The choir wasn't that good (although to be fair, they were OK). While they sang Christmas songs, they didn't really capture the festive mood of the season or the Simbang Gabi. The crowds were big, even bigger than Day 1s crowd at Christ the King (although that's because UST Parish is bigger...).

UST Main Building

And so far, that's where I've been to and there's some days to go. Any of you readers attending Simbang Gabi? How are you preparing for Christmas? Did you get any gifts so far? Whatever happens, I'm sure many of us have different plans of celebrating the most wonderful time of the year. Lest we get lost in all the holiday buzz, let's all find ways to make the season merry, even in our own way and, especially for those who attend the Simbang Gabi, remember the reason why we celebrate Christmas. :)

With that, I'm done and thanks for reading! :)

A Paskuhan Moment

I felt like I had to write about this. Its been days since the Paskuhan festivities in UST but it's time that I did write about this. 

Originally that day, I was gonna go home by myself, so when I left some friends that I've met, I texted a friend of mine from the Campus Ministry. She's actually quite old, a senior citizen but she's someone I grew close to at the ministry. So I texted her and as I was going near the gates at the Espana side of the campus, I got a text message from her saying that she was at the health service and that she could drop me at home by taxi. At first I was kinda embarassed about it but I went to the health service office. Much of the time at the Paskuhan celebrations, she was hanging out there since she knew some of the people there. I came and I met up with her. I found out that she lived somewhere in Manila and I live farther off in QC. Nonetheless, she didn't mind and took me home. At about that time, the festivities were over (actually, as I was leaving UST, I heard our school's hymn) and traffic was building up around the campus with the number of cars and people present. We arrived at my home past midnight.

I admit, nahiya nga ko sa offer niya. It was kinda embarassing and I even thought of giving money yet she insisted that I don't pay even part of it. It's know it's not wrong and I'm thankful to her for doing that to me that night. That was really kind and I should repay her one of these days. :)

Anyways... that's all and thanks for reading. Merry Christmas. :)