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Simbang Gabi: Dawn Mass

Christmas in the Philippines is the world’s longest Christmas Season. It can mean one of many things: Christmas carols played every corner, Christmas lights twinkles all over the city, endless family reunions, traffic jam and shop till you drop days. Though there is definitely one thing you need to experience: Simbang Gabi!

Simbang Gabi is a Filipino tradition that translates into “Night Masses ” or “Midnight Mass.” It’s one of the longest and most popular among Philippine traditions. These Night Masses, or Masses at dawn is a nine day series of masses at Catholic churches where the mass begins at dawn (around 4am). For nine days, before Christmas, people would wake up in the middle of the night to go to church. Churches and streets would fill up with people. 

            First day: Simbang Gabi at Don Bosco Church Makati

    After the mass you can enjoy Filipino dilicacies. located within the church left side/infront
of parking lot owned and managed by the church
Puto Bungbong:) freshly baked!
 Suman malagkit, pichi pichi, halaya and leche plan are being sold outside the church:)
Taho: fresh Silken tofu
They also have thier own bakeshop!
 
It is noteworthy that Simbang Gabi tradition continues regardless of where we are. What is important is what inside our hearts, a profound meaning to it, something about our faith in God.
 
Simbang Gabi is celebrated during the advent season, we are actually requested to prepare and be watchful for the coming of the Messiah. Preparation would entail good deeds, not limiting it to the family circle but to everyone, especially those in need
 
I know it is difficult to be holy these days, and I for one is struggling very hard to be good.
 
Let's try to exert our best efforts for a little change:)
 
I wish you all a happy and meaningful Advent!
 
Life is good!

My Starbucks Planner 2013 giveaway to join please click here
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Comments

  1. mademoiselle modeDecember 16, 2012 at 12:21 PM

    Love church and action :)

    I love your blog

    Please come visit my blog- Kisses ♥
    http://www.mademoisellemode.com/

    ReplyDelete
  2. mikeDecember 16, 2012 at 12:26 PM

    one of the many traditions in the philippines that i miss. thanx for sharing :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Teacher PogiDecember 16, 2012 at 3:14 PM

    maganda yung ceiling ng don bosco :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mr. TripsterDecember 16, 2012 at 5:19 PM

    Hello Ms. Sunny Toast!

    Nag start na rin ang Simbang Gabi dito among the Filipino community sa Italy. Hindi nga lang ako part nun. I'm a Protestant.

    The church is really beautiful. I like the ceiling. Very modern. I miss pichi pichi and TAHO!!!!

    Anyway, Christmas season is really beautiful and memorable in the Philippines. Here, even if it's fitting to sing Let It Snow and White Christmas, you can't feel the warmth and coziness of the Christmas season, the way people feel it in the Philippines.

    Maybe because they don't have puto-bungbong, bonggacious parols, and vivacious Christmas lights. It's like any other normal WORKING day.

    But then the important thing is to be surrounded by loved ones and the whole family at the Noche Buena.

    Hay nako, I just wish may kayapos na rin ako this december. Pero masaya na rin at buo ang pamilya ko. hehehehe....

    Have a nice winter holiday!

    ReplyDelete
  5. shereneDecember 16, 2012 at 5:46 PM

    Merry xmas darling:)
    Enjoy the season with ur love ones:)

    ReplyDelete
  6. MEcoyDecember 16, 2012 at 7:44 PM

    ganda naman ng church mu,
    well im proud to say na nakaka dalawang araw na ko haha

    ReplyDelete
  7. Lady FishboneDecember 16, 2012 at 8:13 PM

    kulturang Pilipinong pilipino ^^

    Merry Christmas! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. blissfulguroDecember 17, 2012 at 12:09 AM

    kasama na talaga sa simbang gabi ang food after. mainit na tsokolate, puto bumbong at bibingka. yummy! :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Archieviner VersionXDecember 17, 2012 at 12:38 AM

    Ang ganda ng church ng don bosco. Napunta ako dyan once. Lapit na Pasko. yey! :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousDecember 17, 2012 at 2:08 AM

    Ganda ng ceiling ng Church ng Don Bosco. Ako nakaka dalawang mass na ako sa simbang gabi. Mabubuo ko ito! :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. MarjorieDecember 17, 2012 at 2:27 AM

    Come to think of it, I've never completed a simbang gabi and I don't think I'd ever will. It is one of those Christmas traditions though that I used to look forward to when I was young. Nakakahiya mang aminin, yung puto bumbong talaga ang habol ko hahaha...

    Don Bosco church looks nice huh, I've never been there.

    ReplyDelete
  12. momto8December 17, 2012 at 6:44 AM

    thank you for sharing this...I have never heard of Simbang Gabi...what a beautiful tradition!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. LalahDecember 17, 2012 at 8:13 AM

    the church is beautiful and unique!! namimiss ko ang simbang gabi, kung kelan ako tumanda, saka ako nagkakaron ng sungay. hihihihi merry christmas!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Chyrel GomezDecember 17, 2012 at 8:36 AM

    So true. We celebrate Christmas almost all year round!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Misha GerrickDecember 17, 2012 at 10:42 AM

    Such a lovely tradition. Your church is beautiful. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  16. glentotDecember 17, 2012 at 1:20 PM

    Sasali ako sa contest mo ha? Para if ever ako ang manalo, madali mo lang iaabot sa akin kasi magkabuilding tayo!

    ReplyDelete
  17. PhioxeeDecember 18, 2012 at 12:46 AM

    sana makuha mo wish mo after ma complete mo yung simbang gabi

    ReplyDelete
  18. xoxo_grahDecember 18, 2012 at 2:22 AM

    Good for you naka pag dawn mass ka...hindi ako naka gising...nagkamali ako ng alarm...ung kakanin talaga ung nakaka miss pag may simbang gabi...:) God bless you and Happy Holidays nga pala sayo!!



    xx!

    ReplyDelete
  19. June | Life and SpicesDecember 18, 2012 at 2:49 AM

    minsan lang ako makapag simbang gabi,, naiingit ako sa nagagawa yan

    ReplyDelete
  20. Madame Chic BcnDecember 18, 2012 at 3:32 AM

    It's always interesting to discover how different cultures celebrate these days. Thanks for sharing!!
    xoxo
    Patricia

    http://misstoptenimage.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. GenskieDecember 18, 2012 at 5:03 AM

    Happy Christmas to you and Merry New year... Para maiba iba naman hehehe..
    Hopefully makuha mo ang mga wishes mo this year :)
    lots of love to you

    ReplyDelete
  22. jamirainzDecember 18, 2012 at 5:35 AM

    simbang gabi is done during early morning or midnight to await the second coming of jesus christ. love the blog!!! and i miss blogging too!! :D will make up sometime before the year ends.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Dressing Up For MeDecember 18, 2012 at 12:04 PM

    Oh, I missed this especially the bibingka and puto bungbong later. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  24. UnknownDecember 19, 2012 at 4:19 AM

    miss this blog much!

    ReplyDelete
  25. anneyDecember 19, 2012 at 5:02 AM

    Ganda namn ng Don Bosco church! Sarap kumain ng bibingka at puto bumbong pag tapos magsimba sabayan ng mainit na tsaa! Advance Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Jayme @ Her Late Night CravingsDecember 19, 2012 at 7:04 AM

    What a beautiful tradition!

    Jayme & Mendi @ Her Late Night Cravings

    ReplyDelete
  27. Audrey AllureDecember 19, 2012 at 10:35 AM

    Such lovely photos!

    ReplyDelete
  28. UnknownDecember 19, 2012 at 6:50 PM

    wow, what a beautiful church!! it's so amazing, i love the Christmas decors too :) one of things i love most about Philippines is the spirit of Christmas :) thanks for sharing the lovely photos! xo

    ReplyDelete
  29. ZaiZaiDecember 20, 2012 at 1:29 AM

    We really have the longest and most festive Christmas :)

    Haven't had puto bungbong yet! Tsk tsk!

    ReplyDelete
  30. UnknownDecember 20, 2012 at 2:17 AM

    I've never completed the whole Simbang Gabi, ever. Just don't have the willpower to wake up that early e. Although I'd attend a Simbang Gabi na at night talaga (say 9pm or 12md) pero not early dawn. Heheheh! =)

    ReplyDelete
  31. hazeDecember 20, 2012 at 2:17 AM

    Ginutom ako, girl :)Thanks for sharing this :>
    Enjoy the holidays ♥

    ReplyDelete
  32. JeedaDecember 20, 2012 at 8:39 AM

    Aww love to see the faith

    http://thelittlebigobsession.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  33. UnknownDecember 20, 2012 at 10:15 AM

    I'm so envy that you gotta go simbang gabi, because I can't.. :( My class starts at 7:30 so I really can't make it.

    Love your blog! Wanna follow each other? :D

    visit my blog, xoxo.cc

    ReplyDelete
  34. joyDecember 20, 2012 at 10:21 PM

    Thanks for sharing this. Naalala ko simbamg gabi when I was justa child. At ang putong nabibili after mass.
    A nice tradition to keep:)

    ReplyDelete
  35. Noelle ChantalDecember 21, 2012 at 4:47 AM

    Puto bumbong my all time favorite!!! I just finished eating 2 orders this afternoon, hehe. Great post! :)

    ReplyDelete
  36. Joana ChavesDecember 21, 2012 at 11:18 AM

    Those bottles look interesting!

    ReplyDelete
  37. halfwhiteboyDecember 27, 2012 at 4:10 PM

    not one simbang gabi... maybe next year.
    but wow, meron talagang kakaning tinitinda sa labas!

    http://halfwhiteboy.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete

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