THE INCLUSIVE REPORT

DECEMBER 16,2020
ROILAN MARLANG
GOSPEL READING
Matthew 1:1-17
December 17, 2020
SIMBANG GABI
THE INCLUSIVE REPORT
DECEMBER 16,2020
ROILAN MARLANG
HULAAN ANG SALITA
BEE BING CAH
Bibingka
BETH LEH HEM
Bethlehem
NOW CHE BUWE NAH
Noche Buena
POO TOH BOOM BONG
Puto Bumbong
SUB SUB BAN
Sabsaban
PAR ROLE
Parol
SEEM BANG GABBY
Simbang Gabi
MISS SA DE GALL LEO
Misa de Gallo
SIMBANG GABI

 Simbang Gabi is a devotional nine-day series of Masses practiced by Filipino Catholics

and Aglipayans in the Philippines in anticipation of Christmas. This is similar to the nine-
day series of dawn Masses leading to Christmas Eve practiced in Puerto Rico called Misa
de Aguinaldo.
 The Simbáng Gabi Masses in the Philippines are held daily from December 16-24 and
occur at different times ranging from as early as 03:00 to 05:00am.
 On the last day of the Simbang Gabi, which is Christmas Eve, the service is instead called
Misa de Gallo (Spanish for "Rooster's Mass"). It has an important role in Philippine
culture.
HISTORY

 The Simbang Gabi originated in the early days of Spanish rule over the Philippines as a
practical compromise for farmers, who began work before sunrise to avoid the noonday
heat out in the fields. It began in 1669. Priests began to say Mass in the early mornings
instead of the evening novenas more common in the rest of the Hispanic world. This
cherished Christmas custom eventually became a distinct feature of Philippine culture and
became a symbol of sharing.
 The Philippines is an agricultural country known for its rice, coconut and sugarcane plantations.
Many tenant farmers (also known as sacadas, campesinos, and casamacs) toiled all day with one
break during noon when the heat would be at its peak. Losing an hour due to the unbearable
temperatures, farmers worked hard and budgeted their time out of fear of the local encargado, who
administered land for the Spanish feudal lord or encomendero/hacendero.
 In between the planting and harvest seasons is a lull in the corvée forced on natives. Those who were
old enough to provide manual labor were gathered under the tributo system where men would have
to work for free for the Spanish colonial government's building projects. The women also had their
share of work tending to their vegetable gardens (tumana) and as household staff for the elite.
 When the Christmas season would begin, it was customary to hold novenas in the evenings, but the
priests saw that the people would attend despite the day's fatigue. As a compromise, the clergy began
to say Masses in the early morning while it was still dark before people went out to work the land.
CUISINE

 During the Spanish Era and early American Period, the

parishioners would mostly have nothing to offer during Mass
except sacks of rice, fruits and vegetables and fresh eggs.
The Church would share the produce with the congregation
after the service.
 After Mass, Filipinos buy and eat holiday delicacies sold in
the churchyard for breakfast. Bibingka, (rice cakes cooked
above and below) and puto bumbong (steamed purple rice
pastries, seasoned with butter, grated coconut, and brown
sugar) are popular, often paired with tsokolate (hot chocolate
from local cacao) or salabát (ginger tea).
 Today, local delicacies are readily available in the church's premises for the parishioners.
The iconic puto bumbóng, bibingka, suman and other rice pastries are cooked on the spot.
Latík and yema are sweets sold to children, while biscuits like uraró (arrowroot),
barquillos, lengua de gato and otap (ladyfingers) are also available. Kape Barako (a very
strong coffee grown in the province of Batangas), hot tsokolate, or salabat are the main
drinks, while soups such as arróz caldo (rice and chicken porridge) and papait (goat bile
stew from the Ilocos region) are also found.
 The rice-based foods were traditionally served to fill the stomachs of the farmers, since
rice is a cheap and primary staple. The pastries were full of carbohydrates needed by
colonial Filipinos for the work they undertook in the rice paddies and sugar mills.
 The Mass usually begins at four o’clock in the morning. [3] Pope Sixtus V ordered that Mass
be heard before sunrise since it was the harvest season,and the farmers needed to be in the
fields right after the celebration.
 White is the liturgical colour authorised solely for Masses celebrated within the context of
the novena; violet is used for any other Masses said during the day, as these are still
considered part of the Advent season.
 Filipinos celebrate this Mass with great solemnity and the Gloria is sung. Simbang Gabi is
also celebrated in malls. Recently, however, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle discouraged the
celebration of the Mass at malls, except when a mall has its own chapel.
 Evening celebrations of the Simbáng Gabi which begins at the 15th of December and ends
on the 23rd, (erroneously described as "anticipated Simbang gabi" since Vigil or
anticipated Masses are only applicable for Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation), are
scheduled especially in urban areas. However, the propers and readings used for these
Masses are those which are prescribed for the day. Although practiced in some parishes,
"Anticipation" of the propers and readings prescribed for the next day is prohibited.
 A well-known folk belief among the Filipinos is that if a devotee completed all nine days
of the Simbáng Gabi, a request made as part of the novena may be granted.
 Similar to the Spanish tradition of lighting small oil lamps on Christmas Eve, Filipinos
adorn their homes with paról, which are colourful star-shaped lantern. This is believed to
have originally been used by worshippers to light their way to church in the early morning,
as well as to symbolise the Star of Bethlehem. Paróls continue to be popular yuletide
decorations in the Philippines, as iconic and emblematic as Christmas trees are in the West.
 To give the faithful a chance to experience how the Simbang gabi was celebrated during
Spanish times, groups which celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass also celebrate the
Simbang gabi in candlelight and with locally composed centuries old music for the Mass.
ESSENCE OF SIMBANG GABI

 This tradition was introduced by the Spanish friars to allow the farmers to hear mass before
going to the fields early in the morning. The masses can start as early as 4 in the morning.
Simbang Gabi is also known by its popular Spanish name, Misa de Gallo, or "Mass of the
Rooster.''
 In the olden days, the church bells start ringing as early as three o' clock, waking people up so
they can get ready for the four o'clock dawn mass. The Roman Catholic churches across the
nation start to open their doors shortly before the break of dawn to welcome the faithful to the
Simbang Gabi mass.
 Simbang Gabi is not just a tradition that is celebrated because we need to do so; it is also the
spiritual preparation for Christmas and commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. The
celebration is also seen as a way of requesting blessings from the Lord, as most people believe
that if one completes the whole series of nine dawn masses, their wishes will be granted.
 Simbang Gabi is also recognized by Catholic Filipino communities who are living
elsewhere in the world. No matter how or when this celebration takes place, Simbang Gabi
provides a strong indication of the depth of Catholicism among the Filipino people.
IN SUMMARY

 Simbang Gabi is a Filipino Christmas tradition. It is a series of nine dawn masses on the days leading
up to Christmas. It begins on December 16 and ends at midnight on the 24th of December, when a
midnight mass is held.
 Sa ngayon, idinaraos sa mga lalawigan at kalunsuran ng Pilipinas ang Simbang Gabi. Ipinagdiriwang
din ito ng mga Romano Katolikong Pilipinong naninirahan sa ibang mga bansa. Kaugnay ng patuloy
na pagsasakatuparan ng kaugaliang ito, bukod sa pagpapalamuti ng mga makukulay na ilaw at mga
parol sa loob at labas ng simbahan, inilalantad din ang Belen na nagpapakitang nasa isang sabsaban
ang batang Hesus na kasama sina Santa Maria at San Jose na napapaligiran ng mga pastol at mga
hayop ng sakahan, at ng tatlong haring mago may dalang mga regalo. Matutunghayan din sa Belen
ang tala ng Betlehem na gumabay sa tatlong hari para marating ang kinaroroonan ng
Banal na Mag-anak. Inilalagay ang Belen bilang pagpapahayag ng paghahanda para sa pagsapit ng
araw ng pagsilang ni Kristo.[4] Sa mga siyudad, mayroon ding nagsasagawa ng mga misa tuwing
ikawalo hanggang ikasiyam ng gabi, sa halip na sa madaling araw, upang matugunan ang mga
pangangailangan ng mga mamamayan ng pamayanang may iba't ibang oras ng trabaho
THE INCLUSIVE REPORT
DECEMBER 16,2020
ROILAN MARLANG
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“That Dawn He Officiated At The Daily
Mass Of His Ablutions With More
Frenetic Severity Than Usual, Trying To
Purge His Body And Spirit Of Twenty
Years Of Fruitless Wars And The
Disillusionments Of Power.”
— Gabriel Jose Garcia Marquez —
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