Filipino Catholic tradition starts

Simbang Gabi is a cherished nine-day tradition of dawn (or evening) masses held in the Philippines from December 16 to 24, leading up to Christmas

- Angel Tesorero and Elizabeth Gonzales [e-mail]

Simbang Gabi will run until December 23 and an estimated crowd of more than 20,000 people fill up the football field.

With fervour and faith in their hearts, more than 20,000 churchgoers attended the first day of the nine-day Filipino Catholic tradition of Simbang Gabi (evening mass) on Monday at St Mary's Catholic Church in Dubai.

Other churches in the UAE also held Simbang Gabi, which is a Filipino Christmas tradition that began in the late 1600s during the Spanish colonial era. Filipino Catholics brought the tradition to the UAE in the early 2000s. Unlike in the Philippines, however, where Simbang Gabi is held at dawn, the mass in the UAE is usually held in the evening.

For Filipinos, Simbang Gabi is not just an expression of faith but also a community celebration. “There’s always a festive spirit,” church worker Policarpio Tinaja told Khaleej Times.

“People of all ages come to attend the mass — from the elderlies to babies on strollers and those carried by their parents. Some come straight from work while friends and families came in groups bringing their own foldable chairs, or mats to be placed on the ground,” he added.

Christmas carols precede every mass and volunteers like Mark Omayam wore Santa suits to spread gifts to children.

To enhance the ambience and complete the tradition,delicacies like puto bumbong (steamed rice pastry) and bibingka (rice cake) are available at the churchyard.

The mass is held outdoors and a special altar is constructed every year. Simbang Gabi will run until December 23 and an estimated crowd of more than 20,000 people fill up the football field, basketball court, girls compound, and the church portico.