(UPDATED AS OF DECEMBER 19, 2016) Apart from gift-giving, caroling, parties and traditional food, Christmas in the Philippines will not be complete without Simbang Gabi.
Translates to Night Mass, Simbang Gabi is held from December 16-24 and is usually done as early as 4:00 or 5:00 in the morning.
The tradition began in 1587 when Pope Sixtus V granted the petition of Father Diego de Soria to hold Christmas masses outdoors in order to accommodate the huge number of people attending the evening mass. Eventually, in the 17th century, the dawn mass was introduced in the Philippines by the Spanish conquerors.
In most parts of the world it is celebrated in anticipation of Christmas and honor to the Blessed Virgin Mary. For nine days, devotees flock to churches at dawn to attend masses.
Centuries have passed but the tradition of Simbang Gabi continues in the Philippines. Colorful lights, lanterns and songs in every street are scenes to look forward to every morning. Shortly after the masses, families gather to feast on various delicacies like bibingka, puto bumbong, or a drink of salabat or hot chocolate.
On the last day of Simbang Gabi, which is Christmas Eve, it is called Misa de Gallo which literally translates to Rooster’s Mass. It is believed that the completion of Simbang Gabi would mean granting of a prayer.
Since over 70 million Filipinos are Catholic – according to a report by the Catholic Directory of the Philippines – Simbang Gabi is indeed a big tradition. So prepare and be guided. Here’s the weather outlook for the next days: http://panahon.tv/weather-today/
A day before Christmas, the Amihan brings good weather conditions with isolated light rains in the provinces of Batanes, and over the islands of Calayan and Babuyan. For those who will be visiting their family and loved onesin Eastern Visayas and the provinces of Sorsogon, the Easterlies will be bringing light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms. In Metro Manila and the rest of the archipelago, generally fair weather is expected today. Still Manileños should remain mindful of the possible isolated rain showers and/or thunderstorms.
For the last Simbang Gabi tomorrow, here is your weather guide:
The northeast monsoon or amihan, characterized as cold and dry air coming from Mainland China, continues to prevail over Northern Luzon. The tail end of a cold front will also prevail over Central and Southern Luzon. This weather system occurs when the cold air dominates the warm air mass during convergence.
Meanwhile, the trough or the extended cloudiness of a low pressure area (LPA) will affect Mindanao. PAGASA Weather Forecaster Jun Galang said that as the LPA moves in a westward direction, there is a slim chance for it to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).Continuous monitoring will be done since the clouds of the said LPA are already disorganized.
This Wednesday, rainfall will be concentrated over Metro Manila, Rizal, Aurora, Quezon, Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas and Mindanao. These areas will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms. The regions of Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and Ilocos will be cloudy with light rains while the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
Strong winds associated with the surge of amihan will bring rough to very rough sea conditions over the northern seaboard of Northern Luzon, western seaboard of Northern and Central Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Northern and Central Luzon. Sea travel is risky over Batanes, Calayan, Babuyan, the northern coast of Cagayan. Ilocos, La Union, Pangasinan, Bataan, Zambales, Isabela, and the eastern coasts of Cagayan and Aurora.
Simbang Gabi Forecast
“Simbang Gabi” or “Misa de Gallo” began yesterday, the 16th of December. Here’s a special weather forecast for those who are going to attend the anticipated mass this evening.
