Today is the start of the “Misa de Gallo,” a cherished Filipino Christmas tradition with a series of dawn masses leading up to Christmas Eve.

This year, Cebu Archbishop Alberto “Abet” Uy brings the dawn hope of the Misa de Gallo to the communities hardest hit by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu on September 30 — a gesture of solidarity with those still bearing the weight of loss and rebuilding.

On this First Day of Misa de Gallo, Archbishop Abet presided over the Holy Mass at San Isidro Labrador Parish in Tabogon, Cebu.

Emphasizing that God looks beyond outward acts and sees what is held in the heart, the good Archbishop in his homily urged the faithful to make every action an offering—rooted in sacrifice and animated by love.

“Ang tanan natong buhaton, diha sa simbahan, diha sa katilingban, kinahanglan ubanan gyod nato og sakripisyo ug gugma. Without sacrifice, one cannot fully love and worship the Lord,” he exhorted.

Beyond prayer, compassion took concrete form. Through Cebu Caritas Inc., Archbishop Abet distributed 10 e-bikes to parish beneficiaries, offering not only mobility but a renewed means of livelihood.

Tomorrow, December 17, he will preside over the Second Day of Misa de Gallo at St. Peter Parish in Bantayan, Cebu.

Joseph Flores/contributed photo