![simba cover.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/mhel/23u5xWtXZ4DsnZLiFM2arD2GdzWMhhSSWrpScU5rm7UB1pUzcggBiEyL3TCbbCkrnVUBM.jpg) ![leaves gold.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/mhel/23tS36iM38ya1TVzzdEUUe3HZrwcdkQNK1i2szpRTj397XpjehM4WvXdYiDLzVzgzfzTk.png) # *Simbang Gabi • Nine Days and Make a Wish* As the city sleeps the bells of the church rings. You wake up and head out to the church. As you walk the streets at 4 am, you feel the cool breeze and reminds you the Christmas is fast approaching. Take a walk with me today as I show you our Philippine tradition and experience "Simbang Gabi (Night Mass)". ![1.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/mhel/23tGTPqkNpayM3zokfyDA95ghckEw4zrLhAqeXBBHrAuypfNwkxMmCa2MiBsMybz7q2qm.JPG) Simbang Gabi is a Philippine tradition that is done during the Christmas season. It starts from December 16-24 at 4 am which is a series of nine masses in honor of the Blessed Mary. It has been said that if you complete all the 9 masses you are granted one wish. People in our country cling on to hope brought by this tradition. Wishing for a job, love, health and other desires. ![2.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/mhel/23wqdv53N6qUV7dAoQMsFQ2siSgh9NDFrvKrBw2jDN6htXoMnnFWLzqLjABjM9W2L68VE.JPG) You may ask why it is called Night Mass but is done early in the morning. This tradition started during the Spanish colonial era. Farmers back then needed to go to mass at night even though they worked on the farm all day. People were very tired but still they attended mass. The priest saw the devotion of the people and made a compromise to do the mass early in the morning instead. A kind gesture for the well being of the people. ![3.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/mhel/23wqeLZ6jefJve9hQwUs2nYRq3YQ2s9x6VhfuX4rZpRf2JSWbAoorCjo2QXAScGgntXeu.JPG) This culture has been with us since then and Catholics practice this every year. Last year when the pandemic was rampant churches were closed instead they had a vehicle with speakers that drove around the city. This December the tradition is very much alive again. ![4.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/mhel/23uFTZMer71TfufYMUZXive2BXtHpJ4pUqdTtXtDMG3nEHLsvJoz5Vsf58n2asf1aWemY.JPG) Precautions are practiced and you can see a thermal sensor at the entrance to check the temperature of the church devotees. ![5.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/mhel/23xATJkEFSashfWQpdTvbYiWGZkMGJfx8R78V6oKtPmuL2Leq3TmCyphmgqwkhYHqqNEJ.JPG) The frontage of the church has become a home for doves. I pass by this church a lot of times and noticed that only white doves are attracted here. There are a lot of pigeons in the city but I never see them hang out here. ![5.1.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/mhel/23u6G13JajCbDRoYy5KoU8JdSXVbxy74bSsC3RdTXpdRbDYg6vCUxnbpbHffBaYLMUzxa.JPG) I was hoping to take some shots inside so I could show you how the interior looks like. I found it impossible as the church is already filled up. People are already sitting outside. ![7.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/mhel/23wMPqfDhhDZBDPdEVgBvrVDN5EGKxaYX7kYPv3GzQgGUdy8bPGykjoRBA7BfjKom65kT.JPG) I was trying to find a good spot hoping to get a glimpse of the inside without disturbing the churchgoers. ![6.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/mhel/23tkmzKS1cuyVNvzw2mWHCi6AzESPQWgwyqzuwXFYssm7NbnDapEQFcuHPyFTQ4ZbJrdX.JPG) I tried the side of the church but all doors were locked up and only light from the inside can be seen thru the painted glass. ![P1610063.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/mhel/23tkp4Dizq9dYGiLeLQmSFzAxfxrxJ6gVnVidXgBf3AkM4wbXqSNC7TjqV3FxHjQK2t9H.JPG) ![8.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/mhel/23wC3FpWHAPWJXLuvvjEiwmcq7KRRarafzof7SdiEf5MEHqhzAd1aSYDXYSHrvbP68MnG.JPG) I went back to the front of the church and saw a vendor who sold candles. The candles are then thrown inside the burning old can and they say a prayer to the departed or a gratitude prayer. ![9.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/mhel/23xARELoRRifuJfHD38rS9e1xuwyMiQEib9Hi65D9QiSUi4WfY9uH71r7gMhimXU8wuRr.JPG) The church is dark during early mornings but now it is brightly lit up to guide the devotees. I am not a Catholic but I respect the tradition and I love our culture. It is from our past and beautiful culture that should be shared. ![10.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/mhel/23wMTrXMSqB2FGXstjkbXysZJxUN8v4b9uxjjBikktxL4zr9T5bAV8DJiYb1Bb3ZM3VdB.JPG) Although most of the younger generations attend the mass looking for pretty boys or girls instead. In the hunt for a relationship which is sad as they do not understand the true meaning of this tradition. On the other hand, maybe they are also completing the 9 masses to make a wish of love. Well, I am not to judge if they are looking for love. Love is also an essence of Christmas and everyone deserves to love and be loved. ![11.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/mhel/243fxmnwqZs89bkmDr7G3ZowemzzBqdbP5iHNe5DDMjZPzQG6Ck9Wk12ajcuHS4AgVZJm.JPG) I eventually gave up on trying to get some shots from the inside. Also, the police in front of the church are starting to look at me questioningly as I kept moving around the area a lot of times already. ![12.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/mhel/23w2ek94uVXu7BnRuqbcn5S5GmrGnB1gFkAJhTP3wFJTT6ZGmNaHFABN2s5AZgN19XC4B.JPG) Well, it's time to head home now, people are wide awake this early but I am still so sleepy. Police are on standby to maintain security. Ensuring everyone is safe in this early morning. How about you? What wish would you make if you complete the 9 masses? Thank you for joining us today and looking thru the window of our culture. May you have a blessed day everyone and I hope to see you again soon.

https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/mhel/23swXV8TTdSfCAMefZgEG2MHmtqq9ibT4QeFL1viVbJRuMz1ESKLDzEFbk1GFEo2Hc49E.png

![13.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/mhel/23xyG4AKrkVLX2x8w3gZgdaHs7mJ2RBxuR45UWDkFnn8LjnpCuCYpD5sbcg5BqAWQa4X5.JPG) ![leaves gold 2.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/mhel/23tvCavUJnxfnJGmcXALgYiviHKXHWd8QLwyBHj8cmzPC3N7SpFsFA6gJ7qBtvdfKiCqr.png) ### All photos are original and taken with Lumix GX85 and Olympus 45mm f1.8

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RE: THE HERBALIST MAN