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This Week in Metro Manila (December 11 to 17, 2017)
Simbang Gabi finally starts this week.
By: Denisse Shawntel Tan | December 11, 2017
December is going by fast as we approach the second week of the month. This week, Filipino Roman Catholics will wake up earlier to attend the Simbang Gabi (night mass) which starts on Saturday. With only a little over a week before Christmas, buying of Christmas decors such as Christmas lights is in full swing—which is why Quezon City authorities issued a few reminders for consumers to keep in mind before making a purchase.
Start of Simbang Gabi
The last day of Simbang Gabi, which happens on Christmas Eve, is called Misa de Gallo (Mass of the Rooster). (Image: Louie Fabello Evangelista)
Simbang Gabi officially starts on Saturday, December 16. It is a Filipino Catholic Christmas tradition in which devotees attend nine masses daily until Christmas Eve. Many Catholics believe that if they go to mass for nine days, their wishes will be granted. In some churches, the mass starts as early as 3:00 AM to 5:00 AM.
Lokal Food Park
Besides food and karaoke, there are also game consoles available to use inside the food park. (Image: The Local Foodpark’s Facebook Page)
Those who frequently pass along Shaw Boulevard might have seen the colorful exterior of Lokal Foodpark. Located just roadside of Mandaluyong, it can be a quick stopover for those going on a road trip. The newly-established food park not only sells savory and tasty meals, but also features fun activities friends and families can bond over such as karaoke, which costs PhP350 per hour with a minimum purchase of PhP1000 for students while non-students have a PhP1500 minimum purchase.
As of now, there are 15 stalls located inside the food park.
Quiapo Church
The church was initially built with bamboo and nipa leaves. (Image: ジャン ピラ)
Besides being one of the most-flocked-into churches for Simbang Gabi, Quiapo Church also contains a rich history. Canonically known as Saint John the Baptist Parish, the church has withstood years of wars and has been burned down, destroyed, and rebuilt many times.
This Baroque-styled church also houses the shrine of the Black Nazarene, a dark statue of Jesus Christ which is believed to be miraculous. Every Friday, devotees of the Black Nazarene flock to the church, thus making this day popularly referred to as “Quiapo Day.” Several vendors outside the church also sell merchandise and paraphernalia related to the Black Nazarene and the church.
Bibingka
There are many varieties of bibingka. (Image: Louie da Costa)
After attending Simbang Gabi, Filipinos are usually greeted by the smell of bibingka (Filipino rice cake). This delicacy is traditionally made with coconut milk and rice flour and topped with salted egg and shaved coconut. Although popular especially during Christmastime, this savory treat is not exclusively prepared during the yuletide season; there are many bakeries, restaurants, and pastry shops that sell bibingka all year long for sudden cravings.
12 Days of Taiwan Excellence Christmas
The entrance is free for the event. (Image: Taiwan Excellence’s Facebook Page)
From December 12 to 23, the best of Taiwan’s products and services will be accessible to Filipinos without having to leave the country. The event is organized by Taiwan’s Bureau of Foreign Trade (BOFT) and will be held at SM Mall of Asia, By the Bay. Besides checking out items under categories such as international currency technologies (ICT), home and living, living appliance and healthcare, and transportation and leisure, there are various activities inside the event where visitors can score prizes from Taiwan Excellence.
Cloudy Weather
Although it won’t rain as much, the sun wouldn’t be in sight often this week.
The week will be particularly cloudy both day and night from Monday to Sunday, with a possibility of thunderstorms on Saturday. The highest temperature for day time is forecasted to be at 32 °C, while the lowest will be at 30 °C. At night, the highest temperature will be at 24 °C while the lowest will be at 22 °C.
Warning about Defective Christmas Lights
Christmas decors shouldn’t be only pretty but also safe to use for a long time.
As many people are starting to buy and adorn their homes with Christmas decorations, Quezon City authorities reminds the public again to choose the safest and most reliable Christmas decors, particularly Christmas lights.
Authorities say that there are many risks in purchasing sub-standard Christmas lights and decors. One of the potential threats is that poor-quality lights can easily cause short circuiting—which in turn may cause fires, injuries, or in some cases, even death. Everyone is also reminded to avoid plugging Christmas lights to multiple links or “octopus lines,” as these can cause overheating.
Buyers of Christmas lights are also encouraged to check if the item contains the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) seal for safety.
When it comes to gifts, authorities warn of overly cheap or discounted toys, as these might contain toxic materials which can be harmful to children. As such, parents are advised to check and examine the label of the toy packaging.
About Denisse Shawntel Tan
Denisse Tan is currently a work in progress: she’s an aspiring writer, artist, and fashion designer! She’s trying to figure out how to manage her time in achieving all of her goals while also taking in life as humanly possible. Aside from art, she’s a big fan of the color pink, disco music, Bratz dolls, and Genshin Impact. By age 35, she plans to travel to New York City 🗽.
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