Pinoy Catholics flock to churches for last Simbang Gabi before Christmas

Filipino Catholics trooped to churches before dawn on Saturday for the last of the nine-day Simbang Gabi before Christmas Day.

At the St. Peter Parish on Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, the crowd spilled beyond the doors for the Mass, according to a report by Jonathan Andal on Dobol B TV.

Many of those who attended Saturday's Simbang Gabi were youths. Those who completed the whole nine-day dawn Masses said they were happy and grateful that they were able to fulfill tradition, and are hoping their prayers would be granted.

Meanwhile, those who were not able to complete the nine-day Simbang Gabi said they still attended the Mass on Saturday to thank God for His blessings.

With the end of Simbang Gabi, vendors of puto bumbong and bibingka, traditional rice cakes sold outside churches during this time, said they would go back to their usual livelihood.

One said he will continue being a tricycle driver, while another vendor said he will go back to selling religious items.

In an interview on Dobol B TV, Philippine National Police spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said that the entire duration of the Simbang Gabi was generally peaceful.

“Relatively peaceful and quiet naman ang mga naging Simbang Gabi... Wala naman tayong naitalang any untoward incident for the past eight to nine days,” Fajardo said.

Malacañang

Meanwhile, in Malacañang, around 2,000 people attended the last Simbang Gabi before dawn on Saturday, according to a Facebook post of Radio Television Malacanang (RTVM).

The 4:30 a.m. Mass was celebrated by Reverend Father Dennis Bulanday, chaplain of the Presidential Security Group.

Saturday is also the last day of the "Tara sa Palasyo", the open invitation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for Filipinos to come and visit the Palace this Christmas season to see the Christmas tree and colorful lanterns or parols, and attend the Simbang Gabi.

On Wednesday, Marcos surprised and greeted visitors who went to see such sights at the Palace. 

Marcos earlier ordered the opening of the Kalayaan grounds in time for the Christmas season. —KG, GMA Integrated News