taho sa gabi

i just wanted to show you this beautiful arch of the Manila Cathedral aglow, i've posted the door here before. so nice to see the manila cathedral well lit up this christmas in time for the simbang gabi.

anyways here's a taho vendor in front of the manila cathedral, yum yum yum

simbang gabi

Simbang Gabi at the Manila Cathedral

SIMBANG GABI is one of the longest and most popular among the Filipino traditions in the country. It is when Catholic churches across the nation start to open their doors shortly before the break of dawn to welcome the faithful to the Simbang Gabi mass.

Simbang Gabi or Mass at Dawn is a nine-day novena to the Blessed Mother. The novena begins December 16 as early as 4 in the morning and culminates with the “Misa de Gallo” on Christmas Eve to welcome the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. In some churches, the panuluyan is reenacted showing the effort of Joseph and Mary to find a suitable birthplace.

Simbang Gabi traces its roots in Mexico when, in 1587, the Pope granted the petition of Fray Diego de Soria, prior of the convent of San Agustin Acolman, to hold Christmas mass outdoors because the Church could not accommodate the huge number of people attending the evening mass.

During the old times, the pre-dawn mass is announced by the ringing of the church bells. In some rural areas, an hour before the start of Simbang Gabi, a brass band plays Christmas music all over the town. It is also believed that parish priests would go far knocking on doors to wake and gather the faithful to attend the misa de gallo. Farmers as well as fishermen wake up early to hear the Gospel before going to their work and ask for the grace of good harvest.
The changing of times does not break the preservation of celebrating Simbang Gabi although it is celebrated in new ways. Still, the tradition of Simbang Gabi continues. Part of it are the colorful lights and lanterns that fill every streets. Beautiful parols are hung in every window. Songs of the season are played everywhere to warm the hearts. Families, friends and even individuals find its way going to the nearest church to attend the nine-day novena. Shortly after the misa de gallo, families gather in their homes to celebrate Noche Buena and feasted on various delicacies like queso de bola, bibingka, puto bungbong, or a drink of salabat or hot chocolate.

According to some, if you have completed the nine day mass your wish will be granted or fulfilled, i wouldn't know if that is true or not cause i haven't completed any simbang gabi in my entire life. but it doesnt matter i already feel blessed. may all your holiday dreams come true, here's wishing you an early Merry Christmas!

The schedule of Simbang Gabi at the Manila Cathedral is every 4:30 in the morning and another mass is held at 8:30 in the evening.

the cathedral

If you're in the Philippines and someone says i'm going to hear mass or my wedding is at the Cathedral, it means they are referring to the Manila Cathedral. Btw, Manila Cathedral has been and still is a favorite wedding venue, i've heard if you want to get married here, you have to book a year in advance! Here's the facade of this magnificent church, you may want to take a look of my old posts of bits and pieces of this church here and here

two towers

Still lurking in the park, from here you could see the two towers of the Manila Cathedral. I've shown one of the towers up close in this post.

doors

manila cathedral

Manila Cathedral is also known as the basilica of the Immaculate Conception. The original structure was built in 1581, made from nipa and bamboo, the typical structure of houses and buildings in Manila during that time. From its construction, the church has been damaged by typhoon, razed to the grounds by fire, toppled by numerous earthquakes, and destroyed into ruins during the world war ii… but always it gets rebuilt from the ashes and is still standing today from its original foundation ... resilient like the Filipino people. The church has been photograph many times before and its facade is known all over that's why my photo just shows its tower to check if a true manileño can guess.

From the official website: The story of the Manila Cathedral is not only a story of the Church, it is also a story of Intramuros, a story of Manila, a story of the Philippines. Manila Cathedral is a time narrative; it is about ruins and ravages, rising and restorations.