PHL Embassy in Singapore Participates in the Festive Filipino Celebration of Simbang Gabi 2017
The first Simbang Gabi officiated by a Filipino priest, Rev. Fr. Ramon Jade L. Licuanan at the Church of Divine Mercy in Pasir Ris, Singapore.
21 December 2017 SINGAPORE – 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 December 15 at the Church of Divine Mercy in Pasi 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 choirs. After the mass, Filipinos gather for a salo-salo.
The Philippine Embassy attends Simbang Gabi organized by the following Catholic churches in Singapore from December 15 to 23: Church of Divine Mercy, Church of the Blessed Sacrament, Church of our Lady Star of the Sea, Church of St Mary of the Angels, Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, Church of our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Church of St. Vincent de Paul.
According to the Filipino church goers in Singapore, attending Simbang Gabi is a celebration of their Catholic faith and their Filipino spirit especially during the Christmas season.
The San Pedro Calungsod Choir, a Filipino choir at the Church of Divine Mercy with their heartwarming rendition of Filipino Christmas songs during the first Simbang Gabi.
For more information, visit www.singaporepe.dfa.gov.ph / www.philippine-embassy.org.sg or https://www.facebook.com/PHinSingapore.