The Philippine Embassy in Singapore headed by Consul General Victorio Mario M. Dimagiba, Jr. participated in the yearly celebration of Simbang Gabi in Singapore, organized by the Filipino Parish Communities in Singapore.
The Simbang Gabi is a devotional nine-day series of Masses practiced by Roman Catholics in the Philippines prior to Christmas Day.
The first of the series of Simbang Gabi 2017 was attended by Consul General Dimagiba and the Embassy’s Cultural Officer, Ms. Sheila B. Bengtlars, on 15 December 2017 at the Church of Divine Mercy in Pasir Ris, Singapore. The mass was officiated by a visiting Filipino priest, Rev. Fr. Ramon Jade L. Licuanan.
Similar to the Simbang Gabi tradition in the Philippines, the Simbang Gabi in Singapore is continuously officiated by Filipino priests and celebrated with a festive rendition of Filipino Christmas songs by various Filipino church shoirs. After the mass, Filipinos gather for a salo-salo.
