(16 Dec 2022)
RESTRICTON SUMMARY:
++NIGHT SHOTS++
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Las Piñas, Manila - 16 December 2022
1. Christmas lanterns hanging on tree, pan right to church
2. Various of church, UPSOUND: Bell ringing
3. Various of priest officiating Mass
4. Various of people listening to Mass
5. Woman carrying a sleeping toddler
6. People making the sign of the cross
7. Parish priest Monsignor Bobby Olaguer greeting churchgoers
8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Monsignor Bobby Olaguer, Parish priest:
"Filipino people especially here in the city of Las Piñas would like to show their love for Jesus and to show their love for the poor, this is the spirit of what we call the "Simbang gabi (Dawn Mass) through Masses, through festivities, gift giving and of course praying."
9. Marching band playing music outside church
10. Churchgoer Tess Aguilar
11. SOUNDBITE (Tagalog) Tess Aguilar, 65, churchgoer:
"Once a year for nine nights we go to church to honor our Lord, so we make sacrifices for nine nights that we wake up early, even if it's hard, even if it's raining, walking far, just to worship. "
12. Woman buying Filipino purple rice cake, traditionally sold during Christmas season
13. Various of seller preparing rice cake
14. Churchgoers eating outside church
STORYLINE:
Churchgoers in Manila marked the official countdown to Christmas on Friday with the start of a series of Dawn Masses which culminate on Christmas Eve.
In 2019 to 2020 the Dawn Masses, known locally as Simbang Gabi, were held virtually due to lockdown restrictions because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
People woke up in the capital and gathered in front of a church at 4:30am local time (2030 GMT Thursday).
Tess Aguilar, a 65-year-old retired nurse, said it happens once a year for nine nights.
"We wake up early, even if it's hard, even if it's raining, walking far, just to worship."
It is said that the practice was started by farmers centuries ago, who wanted to hear these Christmas preparatory Masses before tending to their field all day - thus the Dawn Masses began.
Christmas is considered to be the most important and joyous occasion for this predominantly Catholic nation.
AP video shot by Joeal Calupitan
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