A centuries-old tradition unfolds anew today — a balance of faith and festivity known as Simbang Gabi.

This spiritual journey spans nine enchanting dawn masses, commencing on this very day, the 16th of December, and crescendos in the early hours of Christmas Eve.

Like an ancient melody echoing through time, this tradition is woven deeply into the Philippine culture, a cherished legacy from the days of Spanish colonial rule when fervent missionaries gifted the islands with the Christmas novena.

Simbang Gabi, or "Night Mass," as it is affectionately called, also bears the charming moniker "Misa de Gallo," the "Rooster's Mass," evoking the image of dawn's herald, the rooster, crowing to call one and all to the sacred gathering.

It manifests the enduring spirit of Catholicism in the Philippines, which heralds the joyful anticipation of the birth of Jesus Christ. Attending all nine Masses is believed to honor a sacred vow and is a heartfelt way to seek blessings and divine intervention for personal aspirations.

The masses, usually held before daybreak, often commence at the tender hour of 4 or 5 in the morning. After the mass, a delightful scene comes to life as families and friends indulge in a traditional Filipino breakfast, savoring an array of delectable treats like bibingka (rice cake) and puto bumbong (purple sticky rice cake), prepared and sold by vendors outside the church.

Simbang Gabi is a religious observance and a social and cultural event that brings communities together. It is a time for families and friends to strengthen their bonds, and it serves as an occasion for Filipino communities in the Philippines and abroad to celebrate their cultural heritage.

No time restriction

Meanwhile, a Catholic archbishop on Thursday said the faithful can fulfill the Simbang Gabi devotion regardless of the time of day or night they attend Mass.

Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan, according to the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines website, said the timing of the Mass doesn't diminish the spiritual significance of the devotion.