Pinoys brave typhoon’s rains, winds for 1st Simbang Gabi

Filipino Catholics on Wednesday braved the rain and strong winds from Typhoon Nona just to attend the first of the traditional nine "Simbang Gabi" (Dawn Masses) leading up to Christmas Day.

^{GMA News Online file photo}

Some churches in stormy parts of northern Luzon and in Metro Manila were still filled with mass goers, who despite the typhoon, made it for the start of  Simbang Gabi at 4:30 a.m., a report on "Unang Balita" said on Wednesday. 

GMA News' Mav Gonzales reported that as early as 3 a.m., the Manila Cathedral was already filled with devotees who came for the 4:30 a.m. Mass.

"Iba-ibang grupo ang mga nagsidatingan ng maaga, may mga pami-pamilya, mga magkakaibigan, at iba pa," Gonzales said.

"Nag-aatend ako ng Simbang Gabi upang magpasalamat sa mga blessing na natanggap ko ngayong taon ... at mahalaga na maipagpatuloy ko ang pagsimba sa loob ng siyam na araw," a devotee said.

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle led the Mass at the Manila Cathedral.

In Pangasinan,  GMA News' Jasmin Gabriel also said that the Our Lady of Manaoag Minor Basilica was also filled for the first Simbang Gabi in 2015.

Devout Catholics flocked to the minor basilica as early as 3:30 a.m., an hour before the start of the dawn Mass.

In his homily, Fr. Alan Lopez said, "Dapat mag-alay tayo ng panalangin para sa mga nasalanta ng bagyong Nona."

Meanwhile, an estimated 9,000 devotees flocked to the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Shrine in Baclaran for the first Simbang Gabi.

In an interview with GMA News' anchor Rhea Santos, Baclaran Church rector Fr. Joseph Echano said, "Ang mensahe sa atin ngayon ay dapat patuloy na pag-ingatan at pangalagaan natin ang kalikasan kasabay ng pagpapalago ng pananampalataya sa ating Panginoon."

The first of the nine dawn Masses in the Philippines is celebrated every 16th of December.

In a circular issued in 2013, Cardinal Tagle noted that celebrating the Simbang Gabi is an expression of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, because "[f]or nine consecutive days [Catholics] join and accompany her, so to speak, as she awaits the birth of her Son.  For this reason, the Masses on these days are celebrated as solemn votive Masses in her honor."

As of Wednesday morning, Typhoon Nona weakened slightly and was over the West Philippine Sea moving west at 9 kph, according to weather service PAGASA's Wednesday morning bulletin. —LBG/KG, GMA News