Simbang Gabi sa CCP

For decades now the Sentro'ng Pangkultura ng Pilipinas has been host to Misa de Gallo celebrations during the height of the Christmas season. I've been attending dawn Masses at the CCP for many years now. I like the open air church ambience as the celebration of the Eucharist is held at the entrance area of the main theatre at the top of the ramp. It certainly gives me the christmassy feeling when I feel the nippy dawn winds that brushes against my nearly bald head and cheeks.

It's really a walk in the park for me, literally. I get up at four in the morning get myself ready and then I make my way to CCP from my house on foot. That's really killing two birds with one stone. It's a cardio work out and a spiritual journey of sorts. The CCP manages the entire production and they invite priests and volunteers of the Our Lady of Sorrows parish as celebrants of the Mass. Each day is sponsored by various Hermanas that support to defray costs

When you get there, there's much to look forward to. Last year, the Christmas eve Mass had the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra and the Philippine Madrigal Singers as choir. Different artists are tapped each day to provide musical accompaniment at Mass. The first Mass this year was sponsored by the Philippine Navy. The Philippine Navy choir provided the musical accompaniment. The second day was sponsored by the DZMM radio station and Starcity. Their choir sang at Mass.

Needless to say, the facade of CCP is once again alive with outdoor lighting. From last year's single parol the lanterns have become more numerous and larger in size. They utilised lanterns from Pampanga. The main altar was designed by Eric Cruz and executed by the Production Design Center staff.

The iconic fountain is usually turned on a few minutes prior to the start of the Mass and promptly turned off after the recessional. I am expecting a larger turn out for the Sunday dawn Mass as it usually is a family day. There will definitely be a greater amount of joggers and fitness enthusiasts who troop to the Cultural Center grounds. There are seven more days to go until the Big Day arrives. You can still catch the other Eucharistic celebrations. Masses start at five a.m. So there's a little more time to sleep in before attending Misa de Gallo.

I promised myself I would make my Christmas season more meaningful. My heart's in the right place...