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.
December 2008 Archives
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.
Historians suggest different origins for the parol. In the website myparol.com, it said parols were brought by the Spaniards when they spread Christianity in the country and was originally used to light the way or streets when people attend Misa de Gallo.
Simbang gabi or Misa de Gallo was another tradition brought by the Spanish, according to Father Rufino Secson Jr., chancellor, Archdiocese of Manila and chaplain at Greenbelt 1 chapel. As an agricultural country then, he said friars made the masses early so Filipinos can attend the mass before going to work. After attending the masses, Filipinos would hang their parols on their window and streets become aglow with lights.
At one point or another, each of us have tried doing a parol project for a school project or might have watched Lantern Competition in Pampanga and UP’s Lantern Festival in Diliman or “Parolan” in Los Baños.
I can still remember how I would cut papel de hapon in grade school for my parol wooden framework. But for the high school students of Bauan High School who made the lanterns on display at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), parols showcase their creativity.
When I visited the CCP last weekend, different lanterns from the Batangas high school were on display at the lobby made up of everyday materials like painted palay, mongo beans and garlic and onions.
Truly, the parol is a unique Christmas symbol and a showcase of our Filipino ingenuity. I hope in this financial meltdown, families can also be ingenious in celebrating the Christmas season like what the Bauan high school students did.
Do you have a parol at your window? Have you made one before? What does it mean for you?
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.
Historians suggest different origins for the parol. In the website myparol.com, it said parols were brought by the Spaniards when they spread Christianity in the country and was originally used to light the way or streets when people attend Misa de Gallo.
Simbang gabi or Misa de Gallo was another tradition brought by the Spanish, according to Father Rufino Secson Jr., chancellor, Archdiocese of Manila and chaplain at Greenbelt 1 chapel. As an agricultural country then, he said friars made the masses early so Filipinos can attend the mass before going to work. After attending the masses, Filipinos would hang their parols on their window and streets become aglow with lights.
At one point or another, each of us have tried doing a parol project for a school project or might have watched Lantern Competition in Pampanga and UP’s Lantern Festival in Diliman or “Parolan” in Los Baños.
I can still remember how I would cut papel de hapon in grade school for my parol wooden framework. But for the high school students of Bauan High School who made the lanterns on display at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), parols showcase their creativity.
When I visited the CCP last weekend, different lanterns from the Batangas high school were on display at the lobby made up of everyday materials like painted palay, mongo beans and garlic and onions.
Truly, the parol is a unique Christmas symbol and a showcase of our Filipino ingenuity. I hope in this financial meltdown, families can also be ingenious in celebrating the Christmas season like what the Bauan high school students did.
Do you have a parol at your window? Have you made one before? What does it mean for you?
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.
My world of make-believe was shattered when Santa Claus did not grant my wish. Instead of a tiny world toy which I wanted so badly, Santa Claus gave me a sock of candies and chocolates. As I proceeded to the kitchen for breakfast, I saw the same candy brand on top of our refrigerator. That Christmas, I cried.
Parents should be responsible to explain to their children who Santa Claus is and what he symbolizes, according to child psychologist Ma. Soccoro Villariba.
“The important thing is you teach them the values being symbolized in Santa Claus’ presence, such as being generous and selfless,” stressed Villariba.
According to Villariba, children tend to become materialistic if they grow up without a clear understanding of Santa Claus.
Villariba said parents should show that anybody can be a Santa Claus even children themselves.
She suggested that parents can bring their children in homes of the less fortunate where they can share their old clothes and toys.
“We don’t want to instill in them greed. We don’t want to instill in them selfishness. We want generosity and sharing. The more you share the more you become blessed,” said Villariba.
As a parent, Villariba said she presented Santa Claus to her children as a symbol of sharing and giving. Nonetheless, she taught her children to focus more on the real essence of Christmas, which is the birth of Jesus Christ.
Discovering that Santa Claus is not just one person may be painful for kids. But it is great to learn that anyone can be a Santa Claus.
Parents should be responsible to explain to their children who Santa Claus is and what he symbolizes, according to child psychologist Ma. Soccoro Villariba.
“The important thing is you teach them the values being symbolized in Santa Claus’ presence, such as being generous and selfless,” stressed Villariba.
According to Villariba, children tend to become materialistic if they grow up without a clear understanding of Santa Claus.
Villariba said parents should show that anybody can be a Santa Claus even children themselves.
She suggested that parents can bring their children in homes of the less fortunate where they can share their old clothes and toys.
“We don’t want to instill in them greed. We don’t want to instill in them selfishness. We want generosity and sharing. The more you share the more you become blessed,” said Villariba.
As a parent, Villariba said she presented Santa Claus to her children as a symbol of sharing and giving. Nonetheless, she taught her children to focus more on the real essence of Christmas, which is the birth of Jesus Christ.
Discovering that Santa Claus is not just one person may be painful for kids. But it is great to learn that anyone can be a Santa Claus.
"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.
I bet the generation who grew up with just five channels watched Batibot as a daily ritual. Mornings are spent with Pong Pagong, a big turtle with baseball cap likened to Big Bird; Kiko Matsing, a purple monkey likened to Kermit the Frog; Manang Bola, the fortune-teller with crystal ball, twins Ningning and Gingging and Irma Daldal, a talkative actress with chuwariwap dancers.
As I was channel surfing in the morning, I looked back a decade ago when kids would stop playing under the sun to catch a glimpse of these characters, learn a story and memorize a song. Some of these kids like me still remember these stories and songs.
In Tagalog, Batibot is said to mean “small but strong robust,” which is true of its production then. The show was an initiative of two nonprofit organizations and produced by Fely De Los Angeles-Bautista. It was sad the influx of canned cable shows from Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon, and newer children’s show from some local stations made it harder for Batibot to redeem its glory. Add to that several licensing issues which up to now are left unresolved.
At present, the Sesame Street still finds airtime in local stations in the afternoon and I thought again of the plight of Batibot. I was sad and happy. I am sad that the show is left only in memory and nothing but a tale to tell kids of today. I am happy that in the early 1990s at five, I stayed glued on my seat during 9 in the morning and sang “Pagmulat ng mata, langit nakatawa sa Batibot…”
What’s your fond memory of Batibot?
