Misa de Gallo 2015

Misa de Gallo is the start of the Christmas season in the Philippines. I personally feel the Christmas spirit as it starts. This was a Filipino tradition that my mom had instilled in me at a very young age. There will be nine dawn masses before Christmas. It is a novena, or a form of prayer service offered for nine consecutive days. And as what our lolo's and lola's said, if you will complete the nine days novena, the prayer or wish that you will ask from Jesus will be granted. And as for my experience, yes.. my wishes really did come true. This is the power of faith and prayer.

So, I'll be taking you to my nine days journey of prayer, faith, realization, experiences and discoveries.

>> December 16 (Wednesday)

Day 1: (night of December 15) There was continuous rain all over the metro, and as usual traffic and flood is causing headaches to the people. It was already 11pm when I felt really hopeless that there was no really a way for me to get home. So, I finally called Papa and asked what to do. And because there was no other way, Papa asked Kuya (who was already sleeping) to fetch me to Makati. He got me up at around 1:30am at the fast food were I stayed. That was the longest motorcyle ride I ever had, and it was still raining. We arrived at home at around 2:30am. We passed by the church, and they are already preparing. I decided to just wait for the mass at 4am. So, been busy with facebook and twitter until before the mass. I'm with Mama, and Wapo is absent due to tiredness. We are inside, and near us was Kuya Hayden and Hershey (my friends from church). I felt the difference of the mass, maybe not as lively as what we used to have. Okaaay.. 1st day went well.

>> December 17 (Thursday)

Day 2: We were almost late. I wasn't able to hear my alarm and my body was too tired to get up. But, no matter what, I will go to mass. Wapo was early and he scolded me for being a little late. I was surprised that he wore the green polo I gave him for his birthday last year. Hahaha. Kasya na kasi sa kanya. Surprisingly, I was also in a green polo. His was in dark green, and mine was in mint green. We went for breakfast at home after mass. :)

>> December 18 (Friday)

Day 3: Because we had our Office Christmas dinner last night, I got home at around 12 or 1am. Ohh traffic! I hitch with our company's van which is going to Angeles, and I can't believe the traffic at that hour. I don't know if I will still sleep or just wait for 4am for the mass. I was browsing the net, there and there and just had an hour of sleep. Ohh.. again, we were almost late. My big man was already waiting for me.

The mass is presided by Fr. Ox, our former parish priest. He is loved by the people and I can't forget how he delivered his sermon in a very light, direct,witty yet very understandable manner. And today, as what he usually does, he ended his sermon with a Christmas song he sang, "Sana ngayong Pasko" and left everyone teary eyed. Miss having masses like these lately -very heartfelt.

And like what we used to, we had breakfast at home.

>> December 19 (Saturday)

Day 4: Oh, and finally its Saturday. Though I only had few hours of sleep, still manage to get up and went to mass. I really don't know whats wrong with my alarm clock that I can't hear it. As usual, a little late but not really.

The mass is presided by Fr. Jun Matas, a guest priest. His sermon is packed with all the hugot and pick up lines very timely for Christmas and the messages of it was emphasized on his homily. About family, sharing and giving. Everyone was laughing but I guess, he was able to impart the message he wants us to take.

Wapo is asleep, and we went home at once because I need to catch up some sleep before heading to Taytay for Mae's wedding day.

>> December 20 (Sunday)

Day 5: I was still in bliss for last night wedding of Mae. Just enough sleep for today. Wapo was already texting me, and I was just again in time for the mass. And he is scolding me again for getting late. Hahaha. Nothing to comment about the mass. I just miss the previous Misa de Gallo we had here, the number of people attending, that ambiance and spirit.

After mass, there was this little confrontation from the senior knights to the present group. I decided to seat away from them and not to involve myself. Wapo is part of the senior group of knights and good thing Wapo was just there listening to them. I don't want him to get involve as well. Ok, time to go home. :)

>> December 21 (Monday)

Day 6: Good Morning! I set my alarm at 2:45am but for the nth time, I didn't hear it ring. I woke up at around 3:10am. I hurriedly fix myself, text Kuya Allan if he is already at BLP and walked fast to church. I will be the lector for today's mass and just arrived right in time for me to review the reading and get myself ready. Wooh!!

We started the mass inside the church, and not outside as there are only few people there. The mass was presided by a guest priest, Fr. Mon Bernabe. Two years ago, we were also in the same mass (Dec.21) and as always he was able to explain the message of today's Gospel. Very simple yet understandable.

In my 5 years as SMW, I'm in my 4 years serving for Misa de Gallo, its the 3rd time that I will be reading the same verses for today from the song of Solomon. Its very poetic, deep and heartfelt that I almost memorize this already. :) Connection of this please? "Halika na aking mahal, at sa akin ay sumama ka."

Again, went home to have breakfast with my big man.

>> December 22 (Tuesday)

Day 7: Just the same, still almost late and Wapo would comment on it. The mass went on normally, Fr. Celoi presiding it. Today was about Magnificat as what I remember it right? Mama Mary's song of praise.

Catch up some sleep after breakfast because I will meet my friends in High School for lunch.

>> December 23 (Wednesday)

Day 8: Today is Kuya's birthday. And I am late for mass. Actually, just in time for mass but not for the parol offering. Wapo wants me to go early for the offering of parol with him. They have two parols and he wants me (as well as her titas) to carry one for them, and so, it ended that he got the two parols with him to offer. I still went to stay were the group was (with his friends - the senior knights). Good thing there was Justine that I can talk with. After communion, Wapo was already with us, scolding me for being late and not being with him. Hahaha.. :D 

>> December 24 (Thursday)

Day 9: Last day of Misa de Gallo, and I am way too early today. I called Wapo and he is already getting ready. Then I received a text message from him saying.."Bilisan mo bebe chubs, happy monthsary". Oh yes, today is 24, I forgot. My mind is occupied that today is only Christmas Eve, and thats it. I forgot that its our monthsary as well.

When I came to the church, he was hiding something from behind. Its a paper bag, probably his gift for me? Ok. :) I was surprised, he rarely does that. We wore the same shirt that day. My Christmas gift to him, actually. Since the beginning, I was fond of matchy things between us. Shirts, pins, watch, etc etc.

So we look cute. Hahaha. Lakas maka-coke ng outfit namin.

Because I was early, I saw that there was only 1 lector, and in a few minutes, the parol offering is about to start. So, I went in to check. Good thing my polo has a white collar and I'm wearing shoes today. I borrowed the sutana at the sacristy and got ready. Though I'm not prepared for this, I come in and stand as the commentator. I started the parol offering and prayer. Good thing, Kuya Allan came to rescue after. Then, he started the mass proper. I dressed back again and went back were Wapo was.

After mass, we had breakfast with the gang. Hahaha. I mean, the friends. Tapsi time and a few kwentuhan.

At 9pm, me and Mama attended the salubong. There were a lot of people already 30 mins before the mass started. A lot were standing and were irritated because of the hotness due to the number of people. Nothing really remarkable about what happened during the mass. Sad to say.

** And my novena prayer / wish - I will keep it to myself first. Hopefully, I can get the answers by next year :)

And thats it, this is how my Misa de Gallo this year went through. I little bit different when it comes to the "feeling" I have felt few years back. I am sorry to say that. I lot of things have change from how the church look like, that "energy" from the mass goers, the solemnity of the mass, the church activities / creativity - it was different. A lot has changed. I can feel the "pananamlay" and it is very sad.

I wish and pray that the "energy" will come back. So that everyone can feel "Christmas" and that it will radiate happiness to everyone who was attending the mass. That Christmas is about Jesus, about being together with the family, about happiness, forgiveness and renewal. That we should share love and thank God for giving us Jesus, our savior.

So, from my family to yours, Merry Christmas!!!