Celebrating #simbanggabi in the Philippines with @willjr42 For...

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Celebrating #simbanggabi in the Philippines with @willjr42

For more photos of this holiday tradition, explore #simbanggabi. To see more of Wilfredo’s photos, follow @willjr42 on Instagram.

For nine days leading up to Christmas Eve, many Filipino churchgoers head to Mass at dawn for Simbang Gabi. Despite the tradition’s pre-sunrise start time, “lots of people — girls and boys, young or old, rich or poor — flock to the church to celebrate,” student Wilfredo Lenterna Jr. (@willjr42) says.

Lanterns, lights and ornaments decorate the church interior, while outdoor vendors sell native delicacies after Mass. An active member of his church’s youth organization, Wilfredo and his friends sell food to fund programs for those less fortunate. “Celebrating Christmas is sure fun in the Philippines, especially when you put faith, family and fun together,” Wilfredo says.

by via Instagram Blog