OFWs in Abu Dhabi keep Pinoy Christmas tradition alive, attend Simbang Gabi

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Hundreds of mass-goers gathered at the St. Joseph Cathedral in Abu Dhabi to attend the first day of the Simbang Gabi, which is part of the Filipino tradition of celebrating Christmas.

Enthusiasm fills the air as many Catholic Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) trooped to the church to attend the traditional nine-day votive masses.

For many Filipinos, it is the time to unite in faith, celebrate the joy of the season, and share the warmth of a Filipino Christmas away from home.

Despite being far from their homeland, the energy and enthusiasm inside the church are palpable.

Amy De Leon, 45 years old, who hails from Nueva Ecija yesterday told GMA Integrated News that she always feels excited to attend the Misa De Gallo as it makes her feel the warmth and spirit of Christmas even if she is away from her family.

De Leon, who has been attending the traditional Filipino mass in Abu Dhabi since 2015, said it is her devotion to complete the 9-day mass.

“Since I was young, I was already attending Simbang Gabi or Misa De Gallo. Whenever I have the chance, I make sure I attend the mass. It’s my devotion, my way of preparing myself spiritually to welcome the birth of Jesus. I am always excited to hear the mass. The only difference is that celebrating it in the Philippines is a lot merrier and happier because you are with your family” she said.

The familiar sounds of Christmas hymns and the vibrant atmosphere evoke a sense of nostalgia for many Filipinos as Simbang Gabi or Misa De Gallo, a series of early morning masses leading up to Christmas, is a beloved holiday.

The church is beautifully adorned with Christmas decorations, including vibrant poinsettias, blinking lights, and a towering Christmas tree.

These festive touches, familiar to many Filipinos, make the church feel like a little piece of home.

Fr. Troy De Los Santos, OFM, Captain and assistant parish priest said in his homily that celebrating Misa De Gallo is a privilege given by the Catholic Church only to the Filipinos.

De Los Santos said that celebrating Misa De Gallo in Abu Dhabi started in 2010 when former Bishop Paul Hinder allowed Filipinos to continue holding their traditional Christmas mass.

“There are lots of traditions, practices that are in itself very much, very much Filipino and identified with us. Marami, hindi ko na isa isahin and these practices were handed down to us from generation to the next generation until sa ating panahon…. over and all those traditions ang Misa de Gallo at yan mga kapatid ang isang privilege na binibigay ng simbahang katoliko at tangi lamang sa Pilipinas. Ngayon, kahit san man sa mundo if may Pilipino merong Simbang gabi,” the priest said.

Unlike in the Philippines when Simbang Gabi is celebrated in the early hours of the morning, De Los Santos said in Abu Dhabi, they hold the mass at 8 p.m. for nine consecutive nights.

“Gabi ginagawa ang Simbang Gabi. I asked Filipinos to have Misa de Gallo at 6am but ayaw. Di rin ako mag mimisa sa ala singko…We come in great numbers and we can’t deny we come here with our personal wishes, meron tayong dinadala at kimkim na wishes o wishlist kung baga binigay or pinapaalam sa Panginoon sa loob ng syam na gabi. Whatever we are praying for, whatever, hawakan po yan sa inyong puso at isipan. Whatever your intentions are, we are given the assurance that in the gathering of the faithful, God is within our midst,” he stressed.

Raquel Arsenio Caseno, 28, and a native in Ilo-Ilo City, told GMA Integrated News that she feels so overwhelmed attending the Misa De Gallo in Abu Dhabi.

Caseno, an engineer, said she feels proud to learn from the homily that the Philippines was given a special blessing from the Catholic Church to celebrate Misa De Gallo.

“I felt so honored to know that only the Filipinos were given the blessing to exercise our tradition. Kahit anong bansa, basta may Filipino, may Simbang Gabi and I am glad that in the UAE, even if it’s an Islamic country, we are free to celebrate mass,” she said.

Jessa Albao, 31, who works as an administrative secretary, in a separate interview said that she feels good to meet a lot of Filipinos during the mass and that the parishioners were very warm and approachable.

“This year’s Simbang Gabi is special for me as it is my first time to have been given the chance to get up-close and personal with Fr. Troy. I didn’t expect he would be very approachable when I went to see him in his office and (he) allowed me to take a photo of him. Everyone was so warm and nice. It feels like we are home in the Philippines,” Albao said.

Due to the anticipated huge numbers of parishioners, the Misa De Gallo was held outside the St. Joseph Cathedral to accommodate the influx of worshippers.

Many devotees brought their portable chairs to the mass as there were no available seats to accommodate them.

Lelabeth Cabahug, 50 years old and who hails from Zamboanga City, told GMA Integrated News that she was bringing a portable chair as she already anticipated she will not be able to get a seat due to the overwhelming number of worshippers.

Cabahug said despite the challenges of bringing her own chair and difficulties of getting a ride back home, nothing will stop her from attending the Misa De Gallo as her devotion to the child Jesus.

“It has been like these for several years. I and my friends would always bring our own portable chairs for our convenience as we knew we can’t get a seat. But it’s all worth it. Even if going home is also a challenge because the buses are always full, everything is all worth it,” Cabahug said. — BAP, GMA Integrated News