In the last 15 years, it has been a tradition at the Cultural Center of the Philippines to hold Simbang Gabi when the Christmas season comes. For CCP, holding the novena (nine) masses is no ordinary program—it’s a special event that needs careful and meticulous planning.
In partnership with the Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Pasay City and several business establishments around the CCP Complex, the dawn masses held at the CCP Main Ramp gathers a daily audience averaging close to a thousand mass-goers, while the Misa de Aguinaldo (Christmas Eve Mass) at the Main Theater draws a full-theater capacity, which spills over to the Main Theater Lobby.
The CCP Christmas Eve Mass is traditionally led by performances from the resident companies such as Tanghalang Pilipino Actors’ Company, the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, and the Philippine Madrigal Singers, and participation of various performers including 100-Voice Chorale, among others with no less than the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra in full force.
While this year has been shrouded with concerns over safety and fears of contracting the COVID-19 virus, which has upended many traditions that draw large gatherings including holding dawn masses, nothing should shake the fundamental pillar of the Catholic faithful and hinder the Filipino traditions.
In this trying time, the CCP has taken a different course to conform to the emerging normal. Like its other programs, the CCP Simbang Gabi 2020 migrates to the digital platform.
Through the online platform, the CCP seizes the opportunity to ambitiously celebrate Simbang Gabi across the archipelago, and lift up the spirits of a number of communities devastated by the recent typhoons. It also allows us to reach out to Filipinos and other Catholics from around the world through this time-honored tradition.
The virtual Simbang Gabi will start on Dec. 15 to 23, 9:00 p.m. (anticipated masses), and Dec. 16 to 24, 5:00 a.m. (dawn masses), and will be streamed via the official CCP Facebook page and YouTube Channel. It will also be broadcasted on CNN Philippines Channel.
On Dec. 24, 9:00 p.m., the Misa de Aguinaldo will be celebrated from St. Gregory the Great Cathedral Parish (also known as the Albay Cathedral) in Legazpi City with rector/pastor Rev. Msgr. Noe Thomas.
The CCP Simbang Gabi will culminate with a special Christmas Day Mass (Dec. 25, 10:00 a.m.) with Cardinal Luis Tagle celebrating all the way from Rome, Italy.
As a pre-mass event, there will be a 10 to 15-minute video clip of the past Simbang Gabi activities (i.e. performances of the Philippine Madrigal Singers and other groups, Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Tanghalang Pilipino, Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, among others).