12 Philippine Showbiz Today
The Filipino tradition of
Simbang Gabi (dawn mass)
is gaining popularity in other
countries, to the point that Filipino
priests are being requested to
celebrate the mass abroad during
the Christmas season.
Archdiocese
of
Manila
Office of Communications head
Fr. Roy Belen yesterday said
Filipino Catholics based in other
countries want to experience the
traditional dawn masses and they
want a Filipino priest to be the
celebrant.
“I have been hearing of
Filipino priests being ‘borrowed’
from Manila to hold nine-day
dawn masses in other countries
because their chaplains are
not Filipinos so they would not
understand the Filipino culture,”
Belen said.
As early as September or
October, Belen said they would
be writing to the priests and
inviting them to officiate the dawn
December 22 , 2018 - January 7, 2019
shortage of priests in Manila and
the high demand for priests during
the busy month of December,
priests are allowed to travel abroad
during this time.
In Rome, they would at times
seek permission from the pope for
permission to hold the Simbang
Gabi at St. Peter’s Basilica,
since for many Filipinos, part of
their celebration of Christmas
is attending at least one dawn
mass.
Some nationalities hold their
Simbang Gabi at night, but “you
have to understand that the staff
(in the church) are not Filipinos so
you would be disturbing them just
to be able to hold early morning
masses,” he added.
some parts of the United States,
The dawn masses are usually
such as California, and even in held between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m.,
the Middle East.
while anticipated dawn masses
There are even instances can take place between 7 p.m.
when they would ask the priest to and 9 p.m.●
stay until the New Year.
- E. Macairan, PS
Roy said that despite the
Simbang Gabi gaining
popularity in other countries
masses abroad. They would also
be seeking permission from the
priest’s bishop or parish priest.
Belen added that the nine-
day Simbang Gabi, which runs
from Dec. 16 to 24, is not only
observed in Rome or in Italy but in
Filipino Park’N Fly staff get together for Christmas
Filipino Park’N Fly employees of Vancouver took time off to celebrate the spirit of Christmas
of 2018 with their loved ones and friends. A night of singing, dancing, games, and food feast
. Surely a memorable one to close the year. Shoutout to Julio Callope and Dennis Chua for
organizing and preparing this event. Merry Christmas, everyone!
OLGC Line Dancers
Line Dancers of Our Lady of Good Counsel (OLGC) and guests taken on the 4th day of Simbang Gabi with Fr. George Atok, SDB. In photo are (l-r) Joy, Lulu, Sally, Luvis, Elly, Divine, Helen,
Fr. George, Annie, Pauline, Ofelia, Beth, Cely, Mommy Martha, and Tess.