Yuletide Season......

Traditionally, Christmas Day in the Philippines is ushered in by the nine-day dawn masses that start on December 16. Known as the Misa de Gallo (Rooster's Mass) in the traditional Spanish, and these masses are also more popularly known in Filipino as Simbang Gabi, or "Night Mass". The Simbang Gabi is the most important Filipino Christmas tradition.
These nine dawn Masses are also considered as a Novena by the Catholic faithful. This refers to the Roman Catholic practice of performing nine days of private or public devotion to obtain special graces.
In some parishes, the Simbang gabi begins as early as four in the morning. Going to mass this early for nine consecutive days is meant to show the churchgoer's devotion to his faith and heighten anticipation for the Nativity of the Lord. In traditional Filipino belief, however, completing the novena is also supposed to mean that God would grant the devotee's special wish or favor.
After hearing Mass, Filipino families partake of traditional Philippine Christmas delicacies, either during breakfast at home or immediately outside the church, where they are sold. Vendors offer a wealth of native delicacies, including bibingka (rice flour and egg based cake, cooked using coals on top and under), puto bumbong (a purple sticky rice delicacy which is steamed in bamboo tubes, with brown sugar and coconut shavings as condiments), salabat (hot ginger tea) and tsokolate (thick Spanish cocoa).



For Filipinos,Christmas especially Christmas Eve on Dec. 24 is the much-anticipated noche buena -- the traditional Christmas feast after the midnight mass. Family members dine together on traditional noche Buena fare, which includes the queso de bola (literally "ball of cheese;" edam cheese) and hamon (Christmas ham).In different provinces throughout the Philippines, Catholic devotees also reenact the journey of Joseph and the pregnant Blessed Virgin Mary, in search of lodging for the soon-to-be born Jesus Christ. This is the traditional panunuluyan, also called pananawagan and pananapatan.This street pageant is performed after dark on Christmas Eve, with the actors portraying Joseph and Mary going to pre-designated houses. They chant traditional songs which are meant to wake up the owner of the house as they ask for lodging, but are turned away. Finally, Joseph and Mary make their way to the parish church. Here, a simulated manger has been erected. The birth of Jesus is celebrated at midnight with the Misa de Gallo, together with hallelujahs and Christmas carols.



...Oops also i wanna greet my dear dear friend Sudeep A Happy Happy Birthday!! (Dec.16) May u have a wonderful day today together w/ ur family, friends and love ones! Wishin' u all the best in life dear... more blessings from God and good health too!
Luv ya...

hugss**
-Kathy-