Priests in the Archdiocese of Manila were urged to hold more Simbang Gabi Masses to diffuse mass-goers.

"More Simbang Gabi Masses can be celebrated in different venues so as to diffuse the mass-goers," Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula said in a circular letter dated Dec. 6.
He reminded priests of their Archdiocesan policy which provides that if Simbang Gabi Masses are to be celebrated in chapels, offices, or places other than the parish church, shrine, or chaplaincy, "an explicit permission from the Archbishop of Manila has to be sought."
Advincula said Simbang Gabi Masses can start as early as 6 p.m. for evening Masses while for dawn or morning Masses, the last Misa de Aguinaldo Mass can start at 6 a.m.
On Christmas Eve, he said, the Vigil Mass of Christmas may be celebrated beginning 6 p.m., with the last Mass on the evening of Dec 24 to take the liturgy of the Midnight Mass of Christmas; while the dawn Mass of Christmas Day may also be celebrated in the early morning of Dec. 25.
The nine-day traditional Simbang Gabi kicks off the Christmas season in the Philippines, usually held at 4 a.m.
In some areas, they also have an anticipated Mass on the eve of Dec. 15.