Binondo Church, Manila Philippines, Photo by JMorton
Simbang Gabi (Philippine Christmas Tradition)
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- Puto Bungbong, Photo by Bless Mercado
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- Bibingka, Photo by Bless Mercado
Simband Gabi is a tradition of the Roman Catholics of the the Philippines. It is going to church to attend mass from midnight or early hours in the morning.
This mass at dawn is a nine-day devotional religious and cultural tradition which starts on 16 December and ending on the 24th of December. These series of masses herald the coming of Christmas as well as a homage to the Virgin Mary.
After the mass, people are entised by the smell of freshly clay-oven baked bibingka and puto bungbong, washed down by salabat (ginger tea).
Simbang gabi is still popularly practise to these days.