Himig, novena, atbp: Filipinos carry on Christmas traditions in Australia

GOLD COAST, Australia — In the first week of December, Filipino Christmas carols filled the air at Martin Place in Sydney, New South Wales (NSW). An all-Filipino choir, Himig Sandiwa Chorale, helped usher in the Christmas season by singing classic Filipino and English carols beside NSW's tallest Christmas tree.

Himig Sandiwa Chorale is one of the choirs who were invited by the City of Sydney to perform as part of the annual Choirs in the City event. 

"This is the first year we've participated and according to the organizer, we are the first Filipino choir to be part of this event. We sang for two hours last December 2. We did a medley of Filipino songs and also standalone songs such as Kumukutikutitap, Simbang Gabi, Pasko na Naman, and Bituin. We also did a medley of classic Christmas carols in English and Tagalog like Christmas in our Hearts, Noche Buena, Jingle Bell Rock and Joy to the World," said Himig Sandiwa Chorale's choir lead Giselle Amanda Goloy.

Himig Sandiwa Chorale is the Filipino choir of Our Lady of Dolours Parish in Chatswood, Sydney.

"I joined the then Filipino choir in 2013. A friend of a friend invited me to attend the Filipino mass which is held every first Sunday of the month. Together with the members of that choir, we formed what is now Himig Sandiwa Chorale," said Goloy, who has been working as an environmental scientist for over 20 years in Australia.

Novena dawn masses

For Filipinos living in Australia, celebrating Christmas means following traditions they grew up with–get-togethers, singing Christmas carols, noche buena (Christmas Eve feast), and, for Catholics, attending the nine-day Simbang Gabi at church.

Goloy said Simbang Gabi was introduced in their parish in the last decade, and is now fully incorporated into their church community.

"The choir has been singing in the novena dawn masses since they were introduced. A lot of non-Filipinos attend our dawn masses," she added.

Husband and wife Salvador and Cora Revoltar on the first day of Simbang Gabi at St. Mary’s Coomera in the Gold Coast on Monday, December 15, 2025. REENA BAET

In the Gold Coast in Queensland, Cora and Salvador Revoltar, along with other Filipino volunteers, woke up at the crack of dawn from December 15 to 23 for Simbang Gabi at St. Mary's Coomera. The Simbang Gabi was held every 5:30 a.m., followed by Filipino breakfast sponsored by Pinoy parishioners. 

"This is our third year. Three years ago, we approached parish priest Fr. Mauro Conte and requested him to do novena dawn masses. He said, I'll do it for a minimum of 20 people. I spoke to a lot of people. I had to explain to non-Filipinos what Simbang Gabi is. On the first night, 110 people came. But Fr. Mauro said, this is a nine-day journey. The following night, there were over a hundred people. During the nine days, we did not go below 90 people," said Cora Revoltar.

"This year, we did the Simbang Gabi from the 15th to the 23rd instead of 16th to 24th. This is our compromise. Our church has only one priest, and on December 24th, Fr. Mauro is already doing a number of masses," she added.

Cora has been in Australia for 50 years. Originally from Sydney, she and her husband moved to the Gold Coast six years ago after they retired. 

"One of our children got work here, and the whole family–my husband and I and our two adult children—decided to move here. We love the lifestyle here," she said.

Francis and Abi Sevilla (front row, sixth and eighth from left) and their children at their home in Melbourne during an early Christmas celebration with friends on Saturday, December 20, 2025. JASON CANETA

Many Filipinos in Australia go back to the Philippines for Christmas. But for those who are unable to make it back home, the Christmas season means going on holidays or getting together with family and friends. 

"We stay up late on Christmas Eve and have the usual meals that we have back in the Philippines–ham, spaghetti, etc. We also do Kris Kringle. We consciously try to mimic the Christmas experiences that we had when we were young, hoping to give similar experiences to our kids. We always tell them that Christmas back home is more festive and fun. Also, the number and quality of friends tend to influence how we celebrate it," said Francis Sevilla, father of three.

"We have been here in Australia for 13 years, not including my wife Abi's time as a student. We used to live closer to the city, but now that we have kids—Miggy, Raffy and Sammy—we need more space. We moved to the suburbs in Forest Hill," he added. Sevilla and family live in Greater Melbourne, Victoria. He is originally from Bulacan and Abi is from Malabon. 

"Those with family in Australia or those not traveling to the Philippines during the Christmas break usually hear midnight mass and then celebrate Noche Buena. Sometimes, it's just a quiet one at home or with friends who also don't have extended families in Australia. Sometimes, I go intra- or interstate for a holiday, either with friends or with my mum, if she's visiting. Sometimes, I go on my own. But in the lead up to Christmas, there are several lunches and dinners out with different groups of friends," said Goloy. She grew up in Manila and later on moved to Rizal before migrating to Australia. — VDV, GMA Integrated News