The Philippine Embassy in Singapore headed by Ambassador Joseph del Mar Yap participated in the annual Simbang Gabi in Singapore, organized by Filipino Parish Communities.
Ambassador Yap attended the first three nights of Simbang Gabi at the Church of Divine Mercy, Church of St. Mary of the Angels and Cathedral of the Good Shepherd.
Philippine Embassy officers and staff, representatives of attached agencies and the wards at the POLO-OWWA Shelter attended the Simbang Gabi organized by the following Catholic churches in Singapore from 15 to 23 December 2017: Church of Divine Mercy, Church of St. Alphonsus, Church of St. Mary of the Angels, Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, Church of Divine Mercy, Church of St. Ignatius, Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Church os Saint Anthony, Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Church of St. Francis of Assisi, Church of St. Bernadette and Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea.
The Simbang Gabi is a devotional nine-day series of Masses practiced by Roman Catholics in the Philippines prior to Christmas Day.
Similar to the Simbang Gabi tradition in the Philippines, the Simbang Gabi in Singapore has been officiated by Filipino priests and celebrated with a festive rendition of Filipino Christmas songs by various Filipino church choirs. After the mass, Filipinos gather for a salo-salo.
According to the Filipino churchgoers in Singapore, attending Simbang Gabi is an affirmation of their Catholic faith and a celebration of their Filipino spirit during the Christmas season even if they are overseas. END
