Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

NEW YORK—The Filipino-American community in New York and New Jersey staged various activities in the last couple of days to usher in the Christmas season.

Hundreds of Filipinos flocked to the Cathedral of St. Patrick on Saturday, Dec. 6, to witness the Filipino Christmas tradition of Simbang Gabi. For the second straight year, St. Patrick’s opened its doors to the Filipino-American community with the one-evening mass, dubbed Pasko: Noon at Ngayon.

"The Simbang Gabi sa Katedral, as celebrated here in the Archdiocese, brings together the Filipino Catholic community’s religious, cultural, and social commitments. The Mass is offered for the salvation of souls, continues a long-standing Filipino tradition of preparing for Christmas, and focuses on our obligation to care for the most needy in our midst," said Edward Cardinal Egan, Archbishop of New York, in his message printed on the missalette.

Traditionally, Simbang Gabi is a nine-day novena to the Blessed Mother that starts every December 16. It is one of the longest and most important religious celebrations in the Philippines that has lasted over 600 years.

Also called Misa de Aguinaldo or Mass of the Gifts, the event at St. Patrick’s was grandly celebrated with Rev. Antonieto Cabajog, Bishop of Surigao, in the Philippines, was the principal celebrant, with about with about 30 Filipino priests concelebrating.

"Ipinagdasal niyo na ba si Pacquiao?" Fr. Cabajog asked the crowd, which responded with laughter and a handful of "yes" replies.

Homilist for the evening was Rev. Jaime Noel Deslate, and the prayers of the faithful were recited in eight Filipino dialects.

Father Joseph Marabe, JCD, Parochial Vicar of the Cathedral, and over-all Chair of the Simbang Gabi project delivered the word of thanks to the hundreds of Filipinos who joined the mass.

Fil-Am music professor Rey Lauron led the organ and rondalla prelude. The opening procession was led by US and RP flag bearers, Honor Guards featuring the Knights of Columbus, Knights of Rizal and Knights of San Lorenzo Ruiz. The procession also included a march of traditional Philippine parols (Christmas lanterns).

Fr. Marabe explained that last year’s historic mass led t(e organizers to decide and make it an annual New York tradition.

The Filipino community at St. Patrick’s organized in December 2007 the Simbang Gabi sa Katedral to usher in the Advent season in New York City with the different parishes in the tri-state area where novena masses are celebrated.

Earlier in the day, the Filipino-American Human Services, Inc. celebrated its 15th anniversary with its Light-A-Parol event held at the Philippine Consulate.

Traditional parols were lighted and displayed at the lobby of the consulate.

Back in the Philippines, colorful lanterns of various shapes and sizes are hung in every door, window, tree branch, and street corner while bands play native Christmas carols as families make their way to the nearest church.

Shortly after the mass, people gather in their homes to celebrate Noche Buena and feast on local delicacies made of rice flour, coconut milk and other traditional deserts.

These traditions may be hard to replicate here in the United States but Filipino Americans are doing their best to recreate these events and share them with their non-Filipino friends and co-workers.

In cooperation with the consulate, each of the masses are sponsored by various Fil-A| community associations representing such groups as Coalition of Philippine Schools, New York-Manila Lions Club, Katipunan Lions Club, Young Fil-Am Professional Group, and the big Fil-Am associations of New York and New Jersey.

Masses will also be held at the Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz in downtown Manhattan from December 16 to 24 at 6:30 pm (except for Dec. 20, Saturday which will be at 50 pm; Dec. 21, Sunday which will be at 12:30 pm and Dec. 24, Wednesday which will be at 6:30 am). There will also be a Christmas Eve mass (Misa de Aguinaldo) at 8 pm and a Christmas Day mass at 12:30 pm.

Highlighting the masses are homilies from Filipino priests about the message of Christmas, the singing of Christmas carols from various Filipino choral groups.