Simbang Gabi Kick-off

Filipino Parols or lanterns are usually lighted and displayed on houses, church plazas and used as decoration on streets in the Philippines to symbolize the coming of Christmas.

FFRGOC Flyer sent out before the event to all FFRGOC Officers and Members

FFRGOC Kickoff for Simbang Gabi took place at the beautiful St. Pius Catholic Church, Buena Park, CA last December 16, 2025, the first day of the nine day (December 16-24) tradition of Simbang Gabi. Thanks to our Spiritual Director, Father Juan Caboboy, who is always ready to assist us and celebrated the Holy Mass at 7:00pm.

Our Religious Enrichment Director, Evelyn Ruiz together with FFRGOC Board Officers and Directors and Members worked with the church and participants to make the event successful just like our past events.

Here are some pictures of what took place during the event.

Preparation :

The altar was so beautiful with Christmas trees and flowers and decor using purple, significant color for Advent which symbolizes repentance, preparation and sacrifice and also royalty and sovereignty with the coming birth of Jesus

Amie Ursubia, South Chapter Director checking out the altar before the mass.

Beautiful fresh flowers with greens were used to decorate Our Lady of Guadalupe ready for Christmas

Evelyn and Sol working together to prepare for the Holy Mass

Our famous choir getting ready to sing during the Holy Mass

FFRGOC member, Carmi Costa who recently passed away and Vicky Arevalo, wife of previous President together with other members attended the event. Love to see Carmi still smiling and happy.

Our President Helen Alonso, Treasurer Sol Sollorano and Area Chairperson Lourdes Gutknecht working together to make sure our event was in place

Lorraine Betts, Secretary and Evelyn Ruiz, Director, Religious Enrichment getting ready for the Holy Mass

Celebration of the Holy Mass:

So beautiful to see young girls bringing the parols to the altar and was so happy Sofie, a family member, in peach decided and was able to participate at the last minute. thanks to Sol and Evelyn

That is me, B. Delfin, the Web Administrator and Asst Secretary who participated by accepting the parols and hanged them in front of the altar

The beautiful parols (lanterns) in front of the altar

The Holy Mass will start with the entrance of our priest, Father Caboboy and assisted by Eli Ruiz, Seminarian Director and Deacons

Evelyn Ruiz, Director of Religious Enrichment, made the opening remarks

Love this picture of Father Caboboy in purple and welcoming everyone. Color of his vest matches most of the flowers and decor

Father Caboboy and the Deacon celebrating the Holy Mass

Lorraine Betts, Secretary read the Scriptures

FFRGOC Officers/Members participated in reading the Scriptures

Happy attendees of the Holy Mass

President Helen Alonso and Evelyn Ruiz Director of Religious Enrichment brought the Bread and Water Offering

Sol Sollorono, Treasurer and Zeny Sy, Asst. Treasurer brought the collections offering

Father Caboboy and Deacon and Eli Ruiz, Seminarian Director accepted the offerings

Above parishes in Orange County, CA participated in the Simbang Gabi. FFRGOC Officers/Members received this information via email and personal contact from Nenita Miyata, PRO . I did not show here their contact numbers for privacy purposes.

Dinner boxes, compliments of FFRGOC, were distributed to all attendees at the patio outside the church and since the weather was cold most of the attendees went home with their dinner boxes.

Here is a good description of Simbang Gabi as a Filipino tradition introduced by the Spanish friars.

https://asianjournal.com/entertainment/events/simbang-gabi-a-revered-filipino-christmas-tradition/

Hope you enjoyed and learned from this blog as a reminder that all of us with Filipino heritage including our friends and families of different heritage still honor and practice the Filipino tradition of Simbang Gabi.