ANKARA 19 December 2022 — The Philippine Embassy in Ankara warmly welcomed Filipino and international churchgoers to its Simbang Gabi event on 18 December 2022 at the Meryem Ana Church Grounds.

A colorful sign welcoming guests to the Simbang Gabi event at the Meryem Ana Church grounds. (Embassy Photo)

After the international Catholic mass, churchgoers enjoyed traditional Filipino food, such as sopas, adobo, lumpiang shanghai, bibingka and puto bumbong.

Minister and Consul General Dayang, Jr. with foreign guests enjoying the Filipino holiday treats. (Embassy Photo)

The program continued with the awarding of certificates and prizes to the participants in the Parol Festival lantern-making workshop held on 20 November 2022.

Ambassador Maria Elena P. Algabre (center) and Minister and Consul General Juan E. Dayang, Jr. (left) with Fr. Seraphim Kazadi, Parish Priest of the Meryem Ana Church. (right) (Embassy Photo)

During the Embassy’s Christmas party for the Filipino community, members played team games to enhance camaraderie. Lucky attendees also won exciting raffle prizes like Christmas groceries, gift certificates, and balikbayan boxes.

Members of the Filipino community playing team games during the Christmas party. (Embassy Photos)

In the Philippines, the Simbang Gabi (English: dawn mass) is a novena, or a series of nine-day masses, held in the early morning from 16 to 24 December, attended by Filipino Catholics in anticipation of Christmas. ###