Simbang Gabi.

Misa De Gallo (Dec. 16 - 24)

Traditionally, Christmas Day in the Philippines is ushered in by the nine-day dawn masses that start on December 16. Known as the Misa de Gallo (Rooster's Mass) in the traditional Spanish, and these masses are also more popularly known in Filipino as Simbang Gabi, or "Night Mass". The Simbang Gabi is the most important Filipino Christmas tradition.

These nine dawn Masses are also considered as a Novena by the Catholic and Aglipayan faithfuls. This refers to the Roman Catholic and Aglipayan practice of performing nine days of private or public devotion to obtain special graces.

In some parishes, the Simbang gabi begins as early as four in the morning. Going to mass this early for nine consecutive days is meant to show the churchgoer's devotion to his faith and heighten anticipation for the Nativity of the Lord. In traditional Filipino belief, however, completing the novena is also supposed to mean that God would grant the devotee's special wish or favor.

After hearing Mass, Filipino families partake of traditional Philippine Christmas delicacies, either during breakfast at home or immediately outside the church, where they are sold. Vendors offer a wealth of native delicacies, including bibingka (rice flour and egg based cake, cooked using coals on top and under), puto bumbong (a purple sticky rice delicacy which is steamed in bamboo tubes, with brown sugar and coconut shavings as condiments), salabat (hot ginger tea) and tsokolate (thick Spanish cocoa).

This is the worst Xmas ever.. I missed 3 Midnight Masses na. Arghh. :( Ayaw ko ng panggabi. Gusto ko yung 430am eh.. huhu. Nagigising naman ako ng 3am dahil gusto ko umupo.. pero putek. Talagang hinihila ako ng Kama.. NOTE TO SELF: Wag na makipagtext ng madaling araw para wala problema. Eto na talaga. promise. Magsisimba ako mamaya. Pramis na talaga to. Pag hindi pa din, Hindi na talaga ako magkakagirlfriend forever. GRRRRR! Kahit di ko na kumpleto, OK Lang. basta makapagsimba ko masaya na ko. Pramis kakayanin ko na to.