Cebu City ‘ready’ for Simbang Gabi, Misa de Gallo 

The pilgrim’s center of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño in Cebu City is being readied for the Misa de Gallo and Simbang Gabi Masses. | Morexette Marie B. Erram

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Except for several ‘minor’ concerns, churches and local officials here are ready to hold Simbang Gabi and Misa de Gallo (dawn Mass). 

Councilor Dave Tumulak, in a press interview on Monday, December 14, said the churches here are doing the finishing touches for their preparations. 

“As of today (December 14), we observed that churches in the city are already 75 percent ready to do Simbang Gabi and Misa de Gallo,” said Tumulak in Cebuano. 

Watch: Councilor Tumulak discusses the city’s preparations for the Simbang Gabi, Misa de Gallo

The city government has allowed the conduct of Simbang Gabi and Misa de Gallo despite threats of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

However, to prevent rapid transmission of the virus, several adjustments have been made. 

These included holding Simbang Gabi every evening, from December 15 to December 23, to accommodate attendees who usually attend the nine-day series of Masses that lead up to Christmas Day. 

The Misa de Gallo or dawn Mass, on the other hand, will start from December 16 to December 24.

The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) has also allocated at least 160 personnel to enforce minimum health standards in churches, which are conditions set by local officials for the holding of the Masses. 

Read: CCPO: No need for social distancing sticks in Misa de Gallo

Police Lieutenant Colonel Wilbert Parilla, deputy director for operations of CCPO, said most of the augmentation forces would be deployed in areas outside churches.

“Our primary concern is the crowd going in and out of the churches, and especially those staying outside to attend the Masses,” he said.

The CCPO official, in turn, suggested church officials to ensure that distancing markers are placed and limit the number of attendees outside their premises. 

At least 35 churches here were identified to hold Simbang Gabi and Misa de Gallo, including the centuries-old Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño. 

Read: Curfew shortened, Qpasses no longer needed for Misa de Gallo in Cebu City

Fr. Ric Anthony Reyes, spokesperson of the Basilica, said sustaining their current protocols marked most of their preparations for Simbang Gabi and Misa de Gallo such as doing livestream of Masses. 

“Basically, we only have to continue what we are doing right now. We have to enforce the health protocols (to prevent the spread of the virus),” said Reyes in a mix of English and Cebuano. 

Reyes said they would keep the limit of 1,000 attendees only in every Mass, and that those equipped with face masks and face shields are only allowed to enter the Pilgrim Center.

The Augustinian friar also said that they have adopted the guidelines from the city government to prohibit entry of minors below 15 years old and seniors, whose ages are 65 years old and above.

“We in the Basilica are so glad we get to celebrate Simbang Gabi and Misa de Gallo and we’re asking attendees to always observe minimum health standards so we can celebrate the holidays safely,” added Reyes. /dbs