Simbang Gabi 2017 Starts in New York

Fr. Patrick Longalong celebrates mass on the first night of Simbang Gabi with an SRO crowd (photos by NYPCG)

12 December 2017 NEW YORK — The annual Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado commenced at the Philippine Center in New York on December 05.

On-going for close to three decades, the Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado, is one of the most anticipated events in the Northeast Filipino-American Community calendar.

Spearheaded by the Philippine Consulate General and participated in by various Filipino-Community organizations, the Simbang Gabi aims to provide the greater community with the experience of Philippine yuletide traditions overseas.

This year’s Simbang Gabi takes places from December 05 to 13 and has as co-sponsors 69 Filipino-American Community associations and Philippine government agencies, a record year for the activity.

In welcoming guests to the 2017 edition of the Simbang Gabi, Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega noted that while the 9-day novena mass and the festive salu-salo after are much-loved Philippine traditions, it is the Consulate’s hope that each year, participants will feel a renewed sense of commitment and community. 

Special Guest Philippine National Police Director General Ronald Dela Rosa thanked the Community for the opportunity to share in the commemoration of this tradition and asked for prayers for the men and women in uniform back home in the Philippines. He likewise assured the overseas community that the Philippine National Police will do its utmost to ensure the safety of their loved ones in the Philippines.

Vivian Talambiras-Cruz of the sponsoring organization, the Coalition of Alumni Associations of different Philippine schools, thanked the capacity audience who attended the mass and all those who participated. She renewed the call for the community to pray for one another’s well-being and success.

The traditional Filipino Salu-Salo followed the mass.  The Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado continues until 13 December 2017 with masses held at 6 pm on weekdays and 3 pm on Saturday and Sunday. The activities are open to the public. END

Right photo: Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega welcomes everyone to the first night of Simbang Gabi 2017; Left photo: Special Guest Philippine National Police Head General Ronald Dela Rosa greets conveys a yuletide message to the Filipino American Community.

Fr. Roy Regaspi with Consul General Dizon-De Vega and sponsoring organizations on the second night of the Simbang Gabi.

For more information, visit www.newyorkpcg.dfa.gov.ph / www.newyorkpcg.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinNY/.