‘Simbang Gabi’ attendance high; Isko in dawn mass at Kartilya ng Katipunan

Despite the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, many still trooped to different churches on Wednesday to attend the first day of the nine-day “Simbang Gabi” (dawn mass).

Catholic prelates said that in general, those who attended the Mass followed the health protocols being implemented to prevent the spread of the disease. 

“There are many people (who attended the Mass). We are still learning how to control the people but in general the people are following instructions,” Archdiocese of Manila apostolic administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo said in an interview. 

“We can control the people in the church premises but we do not have the authority to control people in the streets,” he added. Pabillo said there are many places where coordination with civil authorities is well done. Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco also observed the same thing in his diocese. “In general it was very good,” he said.

“We are very strict about protocol. We have chairs arranged outside with physical distancing,” added Ongtioco. In areas under General Community Quarantine, like Metro Manila, religious gatherings are only allowed up to 30 percent of the church’s capacity. 

The traditional Simbang Gabi, usually held at 4 a.m., starts off the Christmas season in the Philippines. In some areas, they also have an anticipated Mass on the eve of December 15. 

The Manila City government, meanwhile, held the first ‘Simbang Gabi’ at the Kartilya ng Katipunan in Ermita, Manila. The anticipated mass started at 8 p.m. and was led by church officials of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene. 

It was also made available for public viewing via Facebook livestream. Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, who attended the mass, said this was one of the city government’s ways to keep Filipino tradition alive amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Ito ay programa ng city government para ‘yung mga tradisyon nating mga Pilipino ay tuloy pa rin ngunit sa maingat na pamamaraan (This is a program by the city government to continue our Filipino tradition in a safe manner),” he told reporters. 

Domagoso also said the dawn masses at the Kartilya ng Katipunan are an option for those who want to attend masses but are wary of going inside confined spaces with several other people. 

“Dito, malaki ‘yung lugar, kayang dumistansya, open air. Katulad na rin ng panawagan ng IATF na, hangga’t maaari, medyo ‘yung mga pag-samba, pag-simba, pananalangin ay sa open air at spread (out) at may distansya (Here, the area is big, physical distancing can be done, it is an open-air space.

In line with IATF’s call that, as much as possible, praise, worship, and attending masses should be done in open areas where people are spread out and can maintain distance),” he said.