Unknown to outsiders and even to some residents of Loboc town here, Simbang Gabi, which starts tomorrow at dawn, provides an unusual rite of passage to a local band.

Simbang Gabi is unique to the Filipinos as "we are the only country celebrating Christmas nine days earlier than the rest of the Universal Church," explained Fr. Genaro Diwa, liturgical minister of the Archdiocese of Manila.

The Catholic Church in the Philippines received an "indult" or a special permission from the Vatican to conduct dawn Masses, he says.

"Before one can become a member of the Loboc Band, he will have to sing solo at the Simbang Gabi," says composer-arranger Rene Balbin.

LIFE-CHANGING

Balbin, who was initiated when he was 11, says the experience is "life-changing."

The prospective band member is chosen not on the basis of age, but on his readiness.

As early as October, the chosen member is the calenda which is about seven minutes long.

After the successful initiation on Dec. 24, the band goes to the new member's house and they celebrate with a feast that includes the traditional lechon.

Despite the band's dwindling number - currently 30 when they used to have as many as 80 - there is a new member initiated every year.

Balbin says he is training some 300 recruits, assuring the people of Loboc that the calenda is here to stay.

LOBOC CHILDREN'S CHOIR

Another highlight of the season in this town is the Loboc Children's Choir.

The critically acclaimed group is one of the three choirs that will alternately provide music for the duration of the Simbang Gabi here.

"They are the ones assigned because this Mass is for the youth," says Fr. Alger Angcla, Loboc parish priest.

The Loboc Children's Choir, which has won critical acclaim in music festivals abroad, is as much an attraction here as the town's observance of the traditional dawn Mass.

"People from other places call ahead and inquire when the children are singing so they can adjust their schedules," Angcla says.

PREPARING FOR CHRIST

Simbang Gabi is traditionally a "Mass of thanksgiving," says Diwa.

Nine novena Masses re celebrated to give thanks for the gift of faith that we have received as a nation and, of course, for the gift of Christmas that is Christ, he explains.

Diwa adds that the Simbang Gabi is the Filipino way of preparing to receive "the greatest gift of all" this season.

"A big gift needs a big container. The gift of Christmas is Christ, our salvation. That is why we need to prepare and enlarge our hearts," he says.

GESTATING WITH MARY

According to Msgr. Pedro Quitorio, spokesperson for the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), the Simbang Gabi is also the Filipino's way of accompanying Mary as the Christ gestates in her womb.

At the same time, the faithful also "gestates" Christ in their hearts.

"We enter into the spirit of Mary herself, who gestated Jesus in her womb. We wait for that time when Jesus is 'born' into our lives," says Quitorio, pointing out that this depicts the Marian character of the dawn Masses, and of the Filipino faith in general.

Historically, however, Filipino farmers chose to hear Mass at dawn, before they went to the fields.

UNIQUE TO FILIPINOS

During advent, the Universal church is in a penitential mood, with priest wearing violet garments to signify the act of waiting. The Filipinos, Diwa notes, enter a "quasi-celebratory mood" starting Dec. 16.

During the Simbang Gabi the priest wears his white garments and the faithful sing "Gloria," as if Christ is already born, he says. The Universal Church does not get to do this until Christmas Eve Mass.

DON'T MISS THE GIFT

"It is typical for Filipinos to be excited for Christmas," Diwa says.

However, he cautions: "We need to focus so that we don't miss out on the one great gift."

Particularly at this time when the country reels from problems and confusion, Diwa says, the faithful can use this opportunity as a nation to prepare for the birth of Christ in all our hearts - from the highest official in the land to the most ordinary citizen.