Finally, Bariles was able to muster enough will to wake up early the other day to attend a Misa de Gallo. It was almost 4:15am when I opened our gate door to leave the house when my brother’s vehicle arrived, along with it my nieces and sister. They just came from the 1st mass which was at 3:00am.
3:00 am??? Gosh! And all the while I was thinking that I was early? Hahaha!
Anyway, my companion and I motorbiked to the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish upon passing by St. Michael’s which was jampacked with massgoers for what was just the 3rd Misa de Gallo.
Alas! At the OLPGV, it was even worse. We could hardly get inside past the guardhouse. But the good news is, they put up a wide screen at the courtyard fronting the Adoration Chapel for the people who could not be accomodated inside. Great idea! And there, under the acacia tree, we had to make do by standing for the rest of the Misa de Gallo.
We were just in time for the homily by parish priest Fr. Edward and his voice was ringing loud and clear through the audio speakers scattered all throughout the church compound. The cameraman shooting the live feed was doing a good job because he also managed to show the lyrics of the songs, most of which are new to the congregation, performed by the choir.
During communion, we had to snake our way up through the middle of the crowd by the doorways of the church to approach the layco’s giving out the hosts. In going back, I did not go back to our original position under the giant acacia tree. Instead, I climbed up the rolling staircase to the loft and shot some pictures of the ongoing Misa de Gallo down below.
The mass finished while the sun’s rays were starting to illuminate the surroundings. Then there was a slight pandemonium as the churchgoers rushed to the stalls infront of the church selling native delicacies or kakanin. I would have wanted to buy some, but hey, I gotta get back home as fast as I can and recover some much-needed sleep. Next time, I will just attend the anticipated Misa de Gallo at 7pm every night at Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish. 🙂
Misa de Gallo masses until the 24th of December at the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish are at 3:00am and 4:30am. Anticipated Misa de Gallo masses are conducted every night at 7:00 pm. The Parish Economic Council and the General Santos City Camera Club is spearheading the “TAHANAN NI MARIA” PHOTO COMPETITION this week. Top 30 photos will be exhibited on February 14, 2009 at the KCC Mall and published at the Parish Golden Anniversary Souvenir Book.
