WITH the cold breeze of December, some would want to sleep longer under the warmth of their blankets.

But starting December 16 of every year, Filipino Catholics would brave the cold and wake up early to attend the Misa de Gallo.

Misa de Gallo means Rooster’s Mass in English. But to most Filipinos, it is simply known as “Simbang Gabi.”

Simbang Gabi is a novena mass that Filipino Catholics attend for nine days before Christmas. Many believe that when one attends mass for nine days, his or her wish would be granted. No wonder why many people are motivated to attend the mass. But more than obtaining special graces, the Simbang Gabi serves as an avenue where family and friends gather and celebrate.

Simbang Gabi would not be complete without bibingka and Puto bumbong. After receiving spiritual food from the mass, people would eat bibingka and puto bumbong, which have also become part of this yearly tradition.

Simbang Gabi also signals the start of the festive celebration of Christmas.

Here’s a video report done by INQUIRER.net multimedia reporter Anna Valmero about this yearly tradition.

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OF all the Christmas decorations that we put during the holidays, Filipinos have a unique symbol for Christmas—the parol.

In the Philippines, star-like lanterns or “parol” light up streets and houses in the Philippines as early as September. Compared to the Christmas pine trees that symbolize the yuletide in other countries, the parol has a unique place in Filipino Christmas celebration.

According to the book “A Christmas Compendium” by J. John, light adds an atmospheric and magical feel to Christmas, whether they are on a tree or in the streets.

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THE Christmas shopping rush seems chaotic in one mall that I visited. It was a mass of humanity.

A child caught my eye as she fancied the Santa Claus display. It reminded me of how the kid in me once believed that there was a Santa Claus who owned a toy factory in the North Pole.

Back then, I made it a point to write my Christmas wish to Santa Claus. I placed my wish inside a big sock and hanged it outside my window before Christmas Eve. I was one of those kids who pretended to sleep before Christmas eve. But I was hoping to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus and his reindeers. I was not able to catch him, though. Nonetheless, the eight-year-old kid in me continued to believe until I learned the truth one Christmas morning.

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“Pagmulat ng mata, langit nakatawa sa Batibot…”

Long before numerous cable shows aired 24/7 on TV, these are the lines greeting young viewers at around 9 o’clock in the morning. Filled with humor and original Filipino stories, the Batibot show was part of every Pinoy kid’s life from the early 80s to the mid-90s.

For the very young, Batibot is the local alternative to “Sesame Street” some decades ago.

Originally named “Sesame!” when it premiered on TV in early 1980s, Batibot was produced by Philippine Children’s Television Foundation in partnership with Children’s Television Workshop, the creator of Sesame Street. Years after, the show’s name changed to Batibot and followed an all-Filipino format until its last year in 1998.

Kids stay glued to the TV in the morning to watch stories, music and features as hosted by Kuya Bodgie and Ate Sienna. Add to that a lively, colorful bunch of talking animal puppets.

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I AM not sure if today’s Internet generation of kids have the faintest idea about the Escalera brothers and their (mis)adventures. But I might be wrong. After Vic Sotto revealed last year that there are plans to revive this Filipino sitcom, news about their comeback was all over television this week, as they announced their participation in the upcoming Metro Manila Film Festival.

Who can’t forget the antics of comedy television’s famous trio? Iskul Bukol is about the lives of three students: Tito (Sotto) and Joey (De Leon) Escalera brothers and Vic (Sotto) Ungasis, a teacher’s pet who often attracts pretty girls in class. All are students of Wanbol University.

During a television interview, De Leon jokingly declares that usually movies produced for the MMFF bring along lessons in life. “Sa pelikulang eto, wala kayong ikakapulutan ng aral [In this movie, there are no lessons],” says De Leon, as the Sotto brothers tried to suppress a laugh.

Being part of a generation of kids who grew up watching reruns of Tagalog movies on television, Iskul Bukol offered respite from hours of melodrama during primetime.

Iskul Bukol has created characters like cafeteria operator Mang Temi (Bing Angeles), a name that plays on the word Filipino word “Itim” or dark-complexioned. Of course, who can’t forget Miss Tapia (Mely Tagasa), a professor at the Wanbol University who hates the Escalera brothers? Another is Redford (Redford White) who plays Mang Temi’s houseboy.

Recently, news that Richie D’ Horsie who plays one of the characters in Iskul Bukol, was bailed out from prison to play his old role was revealed. During one television interview, Vic Sotto said the group decided to give D’ Horsie another chance to reform and be part of a reunion of sorts of the original cast of the hit TV sitcom. D’ Horsie has been languishing in prison for an offense related to drugs.

Here’s the sitcom’s theme song, which is actually borrowed from Elvis Presley’s “All Shook Up,” which my dad would often jokingly sing, “Amoy Suka.”

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