Misa De Gallo: Past and Present

Misa de Gallo is the most celebrated advent season traditions in the Philippines.

The Misa De Gallo was brought-in by the Spaniards during their time of colonization. The most notable part of attending a Misa De Gallo is the churchgoers buying Christmas delicacies from the vendors in the churchyard after attending the Misa De Gallo.

In my younger years, I was able to attend occasionally Misa De Gallo. I would always go with my mother out of curiosity and excitement because I was still a very young teen at that time. Attending Misa De Gallo was worth the topic and the boast among my classmates and friends.

Today, aside, from gift-giving, street carolling and reunions, Christmas itinerary of Filipinos will not be complete without attending the Misa De Gallo. For some, Misa de Gallo has become a tradition and a devotion. They would complete the Misa De Gallo for 9 days with or without petition that accompanies their church-going. However, majority of the Misa de Gallo fanatics have changed their perspective when it comes to Misa De Gallo. For them they believe that Misa De Gallo is a time to ask any petition from God.

Personally, I have never missed a Misa de Gallo except in 2020 and 2021. Since 1995 until the present, I have always completed the 9 Misa De Gallo. It is a time for me to be hopeful again for the new year. There is that feeling of sweet nostalgia whenever I feel the Christmas breeze caressing my senses. It reminds me of many Christmases and many Misa De Gallo of my past. Somehow, attending Misa De Gallo has made me very devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary.