Philippines: Traditional 'Simbang Gabi' brings hope amid COVID-19 pandemic

Residents wearing face masks sit apart as a safety measure to curb the spread of the Coronavirus as they attend the first of nine daily dawn masses before Christmas day in suburban Quezon city. This centuries-old tradition was said to have been started by farmers who wanted to fulfill their religious obligation before the day's work in the field.

'Simbang Gabi' is a nine-day series of early morning or dawn mass from Dec. 16 to 24.

The Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has allowed places of worship to increase their authorized seating capacity to 30 percent for their religious gatherings in areas under the general community quarantine in October.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has released guidelines for Churches to strongly emphasize the observance of social distancing and other basic safety protocols to help stem the spread of COVID-19.

CBCP president Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles also recommended that Simbang Gabi can start as early as 6pm while the last Mass the following day can be at 6am.

Filipino Catholics pray on the first of nine daily dawn masses before Christmas day held at an outdoor basketball court in Quezon city.

People wearing face masks and face shields as preventive measure against the coronavirus disease attend the first of the nine-day novena mass outside the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, in Paranaque City.

A police officer carries a wooden baton stick while reminding people to observe social distancing outside the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help.

Filipino Catholics wearing face masks to protect against the spread of coronavirus stand behind electric fans placed for better air circulation as they attend an anticipated mass at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in suburban Quezon city, Philippines.

People wearing face masks and face shields as preventive measure against the coronavirus disease attend the first of the nine-day novena mass outside the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, in Paranaque City.

A Filipino Catholic receives communion from behind plastic sheets as a safety measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus, during an anticipated mass at Diocesan Shrine of Jesus the Divine Word in suburban Quezon city.

Filipino Catholics receive communion from behind plastic sheets as a safety measure to protect against the spread of coronavirus.

Filipino Catholic Lilia Dee, prays inside her car, as she takes part outside, during an anticipated mass at Diocesan Shrine of Jesus the Divine Word in suburban Quezon city.

Residents wearing face masks attend the first of nine daily dawn masses before Christmas day held at an outdoor basketball court as a safety measure to curb the spread of the coronavirus in suburban Quezon city.

Residents wearing face masks and shields, pray during the first of nine daily dawn masses before Christmas day held at an outdoor basketball court as a safety measure to curb the spread of the coronavirus in suburban Quezon city.

A Filipino Catholic wearing a face mask and shield to protect against coronavirus, prays during an anticipated mass at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in suburban Quezon city.

People wearing face masks and face shields as preventive measure against the coronavirus disease light candles after the first of the nine-day novena mass at the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, in Paranaque City.