Bangkok, 16 December 2021 -- Philippine Ambassador to Thailand H. E. Millicent Cruz Paredes, together with officers and staff of the Embassy and its Attached Agencies, led the Filipino Catholic Community in welcoming the Yuletide season at the first Simbang Gabi held at 5:00 am on 16 December 2021 at the Holy Redeemer Church in Bangkok.

Embassy personnel and other Filipinos participated in all aspects of the Liturgy, with choir members singing Filipino Christmas carols. Ambassador Paredes also delivered her Advent message to the Filipino churchgoers, including those attending the mass online. After the mass, about 300-350 kababayans joined in the breakfast hosted by the Embassy.

The Filipino Catholic community, with the support of the Redemptorists, has been at the forefront of instituting Simbang Gabi at the Holy Redeemer Church. The revered Filipino tradition of nine early morning masses, held from 16 to 24 December, is now in its 44th year in Thailand. END