Woooohoooo….. This is my first time to complete the 9 days of Simbang Gabi.

SIMBANG GABI is one of the longest and most popular among the Filipino traditions in the country. It is when Catholic churches across the nation start to open their doors shortly before the break of dawn to welcome the faithful to the Simbang Gabi mass. Simbang Gabi or Mass at Dawn is a nine-day novena to the Blessed Mother. The novena begins December 16 as early as 4 in the morning and culminates with the “Misa de Gallo” on Christmas Eve to welcome the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. In some churches, the panuluyan is reenacted showing the effort of Joseph and Mary to find a suitable birthplace.

What is unique in our tradition is after the mass finishes, we can get to taste our native Filipino delicacies such as Salabat, Puto Bumbong, Bibingka, and many others that nowadays these foods are merely served during regular days and can only seen during Christmas seasons.

If ever you’ve miss to attend this one of a kind Filipino tradition, then be better luck for next time. You will have to wait for atleast a year. Many believes that if ever you will complete the 9 days run of simbang gabi, whatever you wish for and no matter how difficult as it is, it will come true. But let us not to forget the true meaning of simbang gabi is to prepare and celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.

It was 12:30 am on 23rd of December 2001, I’m inside the Padis Point Disco at Araneta Cubao with my office mates coming from our annual Xmas party and were watching the bikini open on that night highlights, when I heard my cellphone rings. I tried to answered my phone but due to loud noise of the music and shouting of the peoples inside the disco house, I hardly hear the voice of the person on the other line. Then I heard the voice of my mom and saying that I need to go back to the hospital where my dad confined. After receiving her messages, I went home rushing to change my clothes and fetch my sister-in-law and niece and we rush our way going to the hospital.

Upon arriving to the hospital entrance, the guard stop us and told that the visiting hour is already finish. If we like to go upstairs, we can wait outside until the time that will open it for the visitors like us. We argued and told to the guard that we received a call that our patient is already in 50-50 and we would like to see him for the last time. Then the guard confirmed it to the nurse desk of that floor and upon confirmation, they allowed us to enter into their premises. By the time we arrive to the room, we saw my dads condition, I rushed to his side, kiss his forehead and whispered that I’m back from our xmas party. Then after that, he opens his eyes and then closed again then his breathing slows until we don’t hear him breathing. Then the doctor confirmed.

At that moment, we can’t still believed that he already left us. Me and my mom didn’t show any tears at the hospital. Then the nurses moved the body my dad to the morgue of the hospital and said that we need to fix his papers in order them to release it. We all left the hospital and went home. Upon arriving to our house, my aunt asked where my is dad, then we nod. She then starts to cry. At that time, me and my mom starts crying as we already missed his presence and notice that we went home without him. It is true that you can only notice the absence of your love one once you confirm and see them that they will not go back with you.

We called his insurance so that they can fix and release and release the body of my dad from the hospital. Then afterwards, they bring my dad to Arlington chapel for his burial. A day has pass and it comes the time of Christmas Eve. This was the hardest and saddest Christmas I ever felt. Everyone are celebrating Noche Buena with their family together but we are mourning for the lost of our love one.

Now, it’s been already 6 years passed and still the memory hasn’t change. It’s like colored picture that we still can recall this event as it happened only like yesterday. For those people who still have living with their parents, this blessed sesson of christmas is the perfect time to bond, give thanks, pay respect, give forgiveness and let them know how you love them most. Treasure every moments as you will never know what will happens next.

Have a blessed Christmas to all.