A selection of images taken from the start of the Simbang Gabi (evening mass) at 8:00 pm and/or Misa de Gallo (literally: "rooster's mass")
- specially scheduled at 4:00 am with the intention of accomodating the availability of farmers who normally get up earlier in order to
tend to their respective work in the field. Once it was also alternatively known as Misa de Aguinaldo. In Spanish 'aguinaldo' means
a gift. So Misa de Aguinaldo suggests a gift for the Child Jesus. Whatever its title, this pre-Christmas observance is surely a
sacrifice of love for it requires dedication and discipline to get out of bed so early while yet fulfilling all one's daily duties.

This series of nine-day novena masses (December 16-24) leading up to Christmas Eve is a liturgical celebration that is
unique to the Philippines. According to Bacolod province Bishop Vicente Navarra, "it is a priviledge requested by the
bishops of the Philippines from the Pope, which is renewed every 50 years". Read more about the history of the
"Simbang Gabi" masses here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Christmas_traditions .