Once upon a Night Mass

Town Plaza of Malinao

Malinao is one of the peaceful and rustic towns of Aklan, but what makes is different from other places is how the town celebrate Christmas.

The town of Malinao is really fascinating especially with how they prepare for Christmas. The town plaza is colourful and well lighted with Christmas lights. Simbang Gabi is one of the religious practices of Filipinos in celebrating Christmas. In other place, Simbang Gabi is more like just another mass but in Malinao, it is far much more. 

Taken from the Spanish word, Pastoras which means shepherdess, it applies to both male and female. These are small groups from four to twelve girls with an occasional male or two. Pastoras was once part of Pasko. The songs and dances are preserved and inherited by the family and relatives of the parabalo or trainer. Girls were usually selected for their good looks, voice and talent or being marhay mag compass. In those days, it was an honor to be visited by the Pastoras because they usually go to the prominent members of the community.In Malinao, Pastoras are composed of beautiful girls from the town.  Acting as angels dressed in white and red ribbons, they sing over the Belen and the choir with instruments.

During this season, the people of Malinao takes time and effort to build “PAROL” or Christmas lanterns that will be used for the night mass or much known as Simbang Gabi. Responsible for making these Christmas lanterns are the people from Barangay San Ramon, Biga-a and Liloan. Lighted and displayed in the town’s Church every Christmas, these Christmas lanterns has been a great tourist attraction. 

Before the actual mass begins, the Christmas lantern show is presented. Some of the naughty locals call it “Karera ng mga Parol. This is an amazing sight to see and is only done every Christmas in Malinao.