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Will you please edit, correct, and improve the 2 articles about Flores de Mayo (may) and
Simbang Gabi (December)? Grazie

The Flores de Mayo

The Flores de Mayo is a month-long Marian festival held during the month of May, which requires the
daily catechism, recitation of the Holy Rosary, and Floral Offering. Introduced to the Philippines by the
Spaniards in the 1800s and was believed to be first witnessed in Bulacan in 1865, it is dubbed as the
“Queen of Philippine Festivals.“ It is concluded with the Santacruzan, a procession commemorating the
"Finding of the True Cross" in Jerusalem by Queen Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, on 3 May
326 AD. The parade includes beautiful ladies representing Biblical Figures and Marian Titles, culminating
with the representation of Reyna Elena and her son Constantine.

The Filipinos are known as “El pueblo amante de Maria”, a nation in love with Mary, and practice many
Marian devotions, such as the Wednesday Perpetual Novenas in honor of Our Mother of Perpetual Help;
and the Saturday Devotion, consisting in the recitation of the Holy Rosary, often during a Dawn
Procession, the commemorate the unshakable faith of the Virgin Mary on Black Saturday.

Indeed, the Filipino Catholics follows the motto, “Ad Iesum per Mariam", as their passionate love for
Mary can be seen everywhere: from the Majestic Basilicas to the simplest altar in a nipa hut. Not
surprisingly, the whole archipelago is placed under the protection of Mary Immaculate.

The Simbang Gabi

The Simbang Gabi, or “Night Mass,” is a series of nine-day Masses in preparation for Christmas; it is also
known as Misa de Gallo, or “The Rooster’s Mass”, because it is celebrated before dawn, when usually
the cocks crow. These novena Masses are done to accompany the Blessed Virgin Mary as she expects
the birth of her Son.

The tradition of the Simbang Gabi began in 1669, to facilitate the attendance of the farmers, who by
early morning had to begin their work in the fields. The success was so overwhelming that all walks of
life began attending; and it has shown no sign of decline up to the present, since Churches and Chapels
are jammed to capacity, including the plazas and nearby streets.

The ubiquitous Christmas Parols originated by the fact that the devotees lighted up their way to Church
by means of colorful star-shaped lanterns, symbolizing the Star of Bethlehem. The traditional custom of
sharing among the farmers the Mass offerings, such as cooked rice, fruits, vegetables, and fresh eggs,
developed into a thriving market of homemade Filipino delicacies sold in the churchyard for breakfast;
such as: Bibingka, Puto Bumbong, Suman, Tsokolate, and Salabat.

It is a well-known belief that a prayer request would be granted upon completion of the Simbang Gabi.