Start of "Misa De Gallo"

Here in the Philippines, it is tradition that prior to Christmas day, Early morning masses or the so called "Misa De Gallo" are held in different churches for 9 consecutive days up to the 24th of December. Today marks the 1st day of the 9 and church goers fill the church early this morning.

Misa De Gallo has started in the Philippines way back to the Spanish colonial days. It was said the this dawn masses were for Filipino farmers during that time. Since then up to the present the "Misa De Gallo" or more locally known as "Simbang Gabi" is held every year in nearly all catholic churches in the whole country.

Aside from the mass itself, the "Misa De Gallo" offers a variety of different food serve outside the church. Usually after the mass, church goes would rush into these this food stalls and have a mouthful of different food varieties. Among the food offered are "Puto Bumbong", "Bibingka", Hot Chocolate and many more.

Even its a hundred years old, the "Misa De Gallo" is still being held up to this day and Filipinos still go to these masses without miss.