Parishioners flocked on the first day of the Misa de Gallo in Iloilo City and Bacolod City.

The song on the Misa Pastoril or the Latin traditional musical setting on the first day of the Misa de Gallo was heard again in Iloilo City, as dawn Mass starts on December 16, 2025.

The Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral and its grounds were packed with churchgoers for the 4 a.m. Holy Mass.

The first day of the Misa de Gallo is special to Wilve Maris, a churchgoer, as it falls on her birthday.

“Nagpapasalamat lang tayo sa another one year sa ating life. Even though maraming struggles, nakayanan rin,” Maris said.

Glorymel Bordado, a parishioner, also considers it a tradition to attend the dawn Mass, as she hopes on the Lord to grant her petitions should she complete attendance on all nine days.

“Buo ang pamilya, maayos na pangangatawan,” Bordado said.

However, according to a church official, while it is not completely wrong to ask for something in return while rendering sacrifice, it is more important to understand deeply the Lord’s plan for our life, especially when things do not go as planned and prayers seemed to be unanswered.

“Hindi ba bahagi ng ating buhay ang paghintay? Kung nagtatanim ka bilang isang magsasaka, hinihintay mong maging ripe o hinog ang ani. Ang ina, hinihintay ang paglaki ng kanyang mga anak,” said Archbishop Midyphil Billones.

Meanwhile, street vendors look forward to the extra income that comes in all nine days of the Misa de Gallo.

“Hindi kumpleto ang Pasko kapag walang puto bumbong. Maka-afford na siya sa gastusin,” Tess Gabriel, a vendor, said.

At the San Sebastian Cathedral in Bacolod City, attendees aspire to complete the nine days.

"Upang magpasalamat sa Maykapal sa ibinigay niya sa atin sa lahat na araw, hindi man pisikal ngunit para sa ating spiritual, na maramdaman mo sa ating katawan na magaan, nawawala ang problema,” Leonardo dela Peña said.

"Kung ma-perfect namin, malaking tulong ang Simbang Gabi. Pure Catholic kami mula sa mga parents, mga anak, family. Perfect ko talaga,” Sally Abeto said.

Aside from the 3:30 a.m. Mass, a 5 a.m. Mass schedule is added to give opportunities to churchgoers who cannot catch up with the earlier sked.