CTK Completes Simbang Gabi
Simbang Gabi, the long-treasured Philippine tradition of dawn masses for nine consecutive days, or novena, before Christmas Day, started last Friday, December 15 with the 8 pm Misa Aguinaldo.
It is one of the longest and most important religious celebrations in the Philippines that has lasted over 600 years. In the Spanish times, the masses were celebrated very early, usually at 4 in the morning, since they took place during the harvest season, when farmers had to be in the fields at the crack of dawn. At the first sound of dawn, at the crowing of the rooster, the entire family would get up and walk to the nearest parish church. The novena culminated on the ninth day, December 24, with the Mass of the Gifts, or Misa de Gallo (‘gallo’ means rooster, in Spanish) which celebrates the birth of Jesus.
Three Christmas Eve Vigil Masses on December 24th – 6 pm, 8 pm, and 10 pm – were scheduled at the Main Church, to include Blessing of the Belen and Veneration of the Image of Baby Jesus.
• 6:00 pm, Youth Ministry & Mustard Seed Ministry as offerors, with Alumni Choir
• 8:00 pm, Family & Life Ministry & Sunrise Ministry as offerors, with Couples for Christ Choir
• 10:00 pm, Parish Pastoral Council as offerors, with CTK Youth Choir
For Christ the King Parish Greenmeadows, the pre-dawn masses were at 5:00 am. and replaced the usual 6:00 am daily morning mass. Of?iciating priests were from the Society of Jesus. Different organizations had been assigned as sponsors for the nine different days:
• 16th: Ladies of Charity, coordinated by Fe Perry, with the Cathedral Choir, presided by Fr. Bong Tupino III
• 17th: Apostleship of Prayer & Adoracion Nocturna Filipina, coordinated by Wanda Reyes & Rudy Tecson, with Hail Mary the Queen Choir, presided by Fr. Serge Maniba
• 18th: Diwanihan KrisFyano Prayer Group, coordinated by Mon and Loung Cuartero, with Diwanihan KrisRyano Choir, presided by Fr. Ricky Montanez
• 19th: Catholic Women’s League, coordinated by Kim Cua, with ICC Choir, , presided by Fr. Arvie Bello
• 20th: Legion of Mary & Buklod ng Panginoon, coordinated by Mila del Fonso, Ruby Borja, and Cita Pabillo, with APLOC Choir, presided by Fr. Herbie Santos
• 21st: Couples for Christ, coordinated by Ed & Cecille Salonga, with Couples for Christ Choir, , presided by Msgr. Dan Sta. Maria
• 22nd: Mother Butler Mission Guild, coordinated by Betsy Tenchaves, with CTK Youth Choir, presided by Fr. Ronald Plomillo
• 23rd: Life in the Spirit Healing Ministry & Knights of Columbus, coordinated by Bobby & Margie San Juan, and Boy Angeles, with LSS Choir, presided by Bishop Honesto OngRoco DD
• 24th: Chri sFan Fami l y Movement, coordinated by May & Leo Nitorreda, with Tinig Zone 5, presided by Fr. Bong Tupino III
In addition, CTK Parish Greenmeadows also mounted evening Simbang Gabi masses, scheduled for 8:00 pm., starting December 15 and ending December 23. Officiating priests include Fr. Bong Tupino plus the other guest priests. Different villages had been assigned as sponsors for the nine different days:
• 15th: Greenmeadows 1 & 3, coordinated by Eileen de Leon & Dulce Barreto, with Alumni Choir, presided by Fr. Bong Tupino III
• 16th: Acropolis, coordinated by Maan del Rosario & Irene Robles, with ICC Choir, presided by Fr. Manoling Francisco SJ
• 17th: Enclave & Ivory Court, coordinated by Reggie Nolido & Joey & Irene Sto. Domingo, with Tinig Zone, presided by Fr. Bill Abboh SJ
• 18th: Corinthian Gardens, Greenwich & Arcadia, coordinated by Fe Pery, Linda Guanzon, Vangie Yam, Fe Flores & Lita Sambrano, with APLOC Choir, presided by Fr. Pops Repole SJ
• 19th: Eton CyberPod, Galleria, Robinson’s Gal leria, Crowne Plaza & Poveda, coordinated by Merlin Lumba, Ding Castaneda, Gladys Silverio & Azucena Camagan, with CTK Kids Choir, presided by Fr. Joe Quilongquilong SJ
• 20th: Corinthian Hills, coordinated by Paul & Linda Uy, with Alumni Choir, presided by Fr. Junjun Borres SJ
• 21st: St. IgnaFus Village & La Maison, coordinated by Baby Banal, Lulay dela Cruz, Tiny Perfecto, Fe Reyes, Ceri Yamsuan & Virgie AbasRllas, with Koro Sanctuario, presided by Fr. JeS Villarin SJ
• 22nd: White Plains & White Plains Terraces, coordinated by Jane Duque, Mel Novales & Alfred Contreras, with Servi Domini, presided by Fr. Francis Alvarez SJ
• 23rd: Libis, coordinated by Ching Botero & Jo Piyaw, with Hangad Music Ministry Choir, presided by Bishop Honesto OngRoco DD
A highlight of the evening Simbang Gabi was pioneered by Greenmeadows 1 last December 15, the first night, when coordinators Eileen de Leon and Dulce Barreto had 35 yayas, kasambahays and driver residents of GreenMeadows 1 as offerors. The gesture was a tribute to the people who have been working hard to help keep houses clean, cook food, wash clothes, etc. After the mass, the kasambahays were treated to a dinner fellowship at the convent veranda. The 35 househelp were uplifted with joy, gratitude and appreciation as it was their first time to be recognized and given the chance to participate on the first night of the festive preparation for the birth of our Lord.
