Misa de Gallo a go in Metro Cebu

CEBU, Philippines —  Misa de Gallo a go in metro.

Back in March, churches in Cebu City rang their bells in a global call for solidarity amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Nine months later, the bells will toll again tomorrow morning, this time to signal the start of a prized Filipino tradition of Misa de Gallo.

In Cebu City, the dawn masses will be held in at least 22 churches.

Markings for social distancing and other details have already been put in place in these churches, said Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak. The city has also conducted information dissemination drive in the barangays so churchgoers will be aware of the dos and don’ts during the Mass.

Volunteer groups are also expected to help in ensuring that there will be no overcrowding.

Tumulak said sidewalks and church grounds have been lighted and declogged.

He reminded motorists to slow down near churches during the celebration of these Masses.

‘Simbang Gabii’

These are some churches offering “Simbang Gabii” (different from dawn masses) such as St. Therese of Child Jesus in Lahug at 5:30 p.m. St. Arnold Jansen church, San Vicente Ferrer Parish and the Alliance of Two Hearts in Guadalupe will have theirs at 6 p.m. while Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño, Sto. Rosario and St. Joseph the Patriarch will hold the evening masses at 7:30 p.m.

Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, on the other hand, has set Simbang Gabii at 6 p.m. during weekdays and 5:30 p.m. on weekends while Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Punta Princesa and Our Lady of Sacred Heart Parish will have theirs at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

For St. Nicolas de Tolentino Parish, Our Lady of Guadalupe and Sto. Niño Parish in Suba, the Simbang Gabii is set at 7 p.m. In Our Mother of Perpetual Help/Redemptorist and San Pedro Calungsod at SRP, it will be at 8 p.m.; San Isidro Labrador, 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Remedios Parish in Labangon, 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.

There are some parishes that are doing more than one mass depending on the number of barangays under them.

For Misa de Gallo or dawn mass, some churches will have their masses as early as 4 a.m. while others at 5 a.m., 5:30 a.m. or 6 a.m.

Churches are allowed to accommodate a total of 50 percent of their sitting capacity.

The Cebu City Market Authority has also announced the cancellation of the planned dawn masses at Carbon Public Market this year, a first time in 15 years.

Market authority chief Irvin Cabales said that the vendors have welcomed the decision in light of the present pandemic.

Talisay

In Talisay City, Mayor Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas released an executive order in line with Christmas-related masses in different churches and gymnasiums in different barangays of the city.

Simbang Gabi, which is offered for Mama Mary, will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. only starting today until December 23. Misa de Gallo or dawn mass will kick off tomorrow and culminate on the 24th and each will begin not earlier than 4 a.m. Curfew hours have been adjusted to 11 p.m. to 3:30 a.m.

Christmas eve or midnight mass will be celebrated some hours before midnight in Talisay. Residents there, according to the executive order, are expected to be home before 11 p.m. Those who will miss the mass may still hear the December 25 mass instead.

Aside from the different churches in Talisay, there will also be masses at Don Bosco Seminary in Lawaan 3, Tabunok Sports Complex, Bulacao, Lawaan II and III gyms, as well as in the covered courts of Candulawan , Manipis, Kadikay, Linao, Maghaway Tapul and Lagtang.

Quarantine pass rule has been relaxed in line with these masses in Christmas but church officials or management had been asked to ensure compliance with minimum public health safety and standards.

Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu

In Mandaue City, Mayor Jonas Cortes has also disallowed 15 years and below and 65 years old above from attending the masses.

But Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan has done otherwise, provided such age groups comply with the protocols. Minors must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.

Chan’s EO, however, strongly discourages parents from bringing their infants and toddlers. – Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon, Decemay P. Padilla, and Sanden Anadia, JMD (FREEMAN)