Simbang Gabi sa Buenos Aires

Simbang Gabi sa Buenos Aires

Teniendo en cuenta que una gran cantidad de tripulantes de los buques de crucero son de nacionalidad Filipina, en conjunto con la Comunidad Filipina en Buenos Aires y la Embajada de Filipinas en Argentina, estaremos realizando el “Simbang Gabi sa Buenos Aires” los días lunes 21, martes 22 y miércoles 23 de diciembre a las 20 hs en el “Hogar del Marino”, Av. Independencia 20 (Av. Independencia y Av. Ing. Huergo).

“Simbang Gabi” es el nombre con el que los filipinos designan la novena en preparación a la navidad. Esta novena se ha convertido en una tradición navideña Filipina. Durante los nueve días previos a la celebración del nacimiento de Jesús, las familias filipinas católicas asisten a la celebración eucarística antes de que salga el sol (a las 5 de la mañana). Recientemente en algunos lugares, por cuestiones prácticas, las misas de “Simbang Gabi” también se celebran cuando el sol ya se ha puesto (a las 8 de la noche). Al finalizar la misa, es costumbre que los miembros de la comunidad que han se han alimentado en la fe, también compartan algo de comer, normalmente una bebida caliente (“salabat”, te de jengibre) y “pan de sal” o algún bocadillo dulce.

Este año, la Comunidad Filipina en Buenos Aires y el Apostolado del Mar han querido compartir esta tradición navideña con los tripulantes de los barcos de crucero que estarán pernoctando en Buenos Aires y con los amigos de la comunidad. “Simbang Gabi sa Buenos Aires” es una manera de preparar nuestros corazones para el recuerdo anual del nacimiento de Jesús. También es una oportunidad para que la comunidad filipina en Buenos Aires exprese su solidaridad con los filipinos y filipinas que desarrollan su trabajo a bordo de buques de turismo, así como dar a conocer esta forma particular de preparación a una de las fechas más esperadas del año en los países cristianos.

En nuestra versión reducida (tres noches) del “Simbang Gabi”, cada noche después de la celebración eucarística compartiremos “salabat” y “bibinka” (una torta dulce de arroz), preparados por los talentosos cocineros y cocineras de la comunidad filipina en Buenos Aires.

Estos son los cruceros que estarán en el puerto durante los días en que celebraremos el “Simbang Gabi”
Lunes 21

Costa Mágica
Llega 8 hs

Grand Voyager
Llega 8 hs
Martes 22

MSC Opera
Llega 9 hs


Miércoles 23

MSC Musica
Llega 9 hs

In English:
Simbang Gabi sa Buenos Aires
Given that a lot of crews of cruise ships are Filipino nationals, together with the Filipino community in Buenos Aires and the Philippine embassy in Argentina, we will be conducting the "Simbang Gabi sa Buenos Aires on Monday 21 , Tuesday 22 and Wednesday, 23 December at 20 pm at the "Home of Marino, Independencia 20 (Independencia y Av Eng Huergo). "Simbang Gabi" is the name under which the Filipinos would name the novena in preparation for Christmas. This novena has become a Filipino Christmas tradition. During the nine days before the celebration of the birth of Jesus Catholic Filipino families attending the Eucharistic celebration before sunrise (at 5 am). Recently in some places, for practical reasons, the masses of "Simbang Gabi" also held after the sun has set (at 8 pm). At the end of Mass, it is customary for members of the community who have been nurtured in the faith, also share some food, usually a hot drink ( "salabat" ginger tea) and "bread of salt" or a snack sweet. This year, the Filipino community in Buenos Aires and the Apostleship of the Sea have wanted to share this holiday tradition with the crew of cruise ships that will be staying in Buenos Aires and friends of the community. "Simbang Gabi sa Buenos Aires" is a way to prepare our hearts for the annual remembrance of Jesus' birth. It is also an opportunity for the Filipino community in Buenos Aires to express their solidarity with the Filipinos and Filipinas who work on ships of tourism and to publicize this particular form of preparation for one of the most awaited dates of the year in Christian countries. In our version (three nights) of the "Simbang Gabi", every night after the Eucharistic celebration share "salabat" and "bibinka" (a sweet rice cake), prepared by talented cooks from the Filipino community in Buenos Aires. These are the cruise ships are in port during the days when we celebrate the "Simbang Gabi"
Monday 21 Costa Magica arrives at 8 pm
Grand Voyager Arrives at 8 pm
Tuesday 22
MSC Opera Arrives at 9 am
Wednesday 23
MSC Musica Arrives at 9 am

Visit to La Fundación Natali Dafne Flexer

Left to Right:

Evie Abat, Edith Grynszpancholc,Consul Arvin De Leon, Marissa Suarez and Leticia Garcia
Visit to La Fundación Natali Dafne Flexer

Cónsul Arvin de Leon; FilCom Organizer, Marissa Suarez, and FilCom member, Evie Abat visited La Fundación Natali Dafne Flexer’s main center in Buenos Aires, Argentina on December 4, 2009 to deliver the plastic bottle caps collected by the Filipino Community since June 2009. Leticia Garcia, the Gerente Operativa for the Fundacion, received the donated caps, and spoke with them about the organization’s efforts to provide services and resources for children with cancer and their families, many of whom travel by bus to Buenos Aires from Argentina’s inland areas for treatment at the Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutierrez, located in front of the Foundation’s center. After taking a tour of the facility, they met with Edith Grynszpancholc, the organization’s president who founded and named it in honor of her daughter.

La Fundacion Natali Dafne Flexer was founded in 1995 as a response the lack of information about cancer and its treatment options in Argentina. With the support of volunteers and the generosity of donors, the organization has grown over the years, even acquiring the current building that houses the main office and a playroom, and has expanded their services to include psychological support, art workshops, legal advocacy, medical insurance advice, parental support, as well as written materials about cancer for children and adults, all of which are provided free of charge.

For more information about the organization, or how you can help, please go to their website at http://www.fundacionflexer.org/.
Contributed by: Evie

Monthly Community Mass in Capilla de Don Orione

Since August 2008, the Capilla de Don Orione, through Fr. Martin Mroz, opened its doors for the Filipino Community to held a monthly mass in their chapel. The Philippine embassy staff also supported us in this endeavour to have that spiritual nourishment and to gather every month with our fellow kababayans, to cheer up one another, sing songs in Tagalog and and the end of the mass we have our merienda sponsored by the Philippine Embassy and also our fellow community members contributing for the purpose of goodwill and that we all shared and enjoyed the meeting. We usually meet every third Sunday of the month unless there is some conflicting schedule that we need to rearrange and notify the members. During these monthly gatherings we were also able to reach out and raise funds to help our kababayan last December 2008, we donated $200.00 to the Parish Community in Payatas, Quezon City.

If you wish to join us, Please send us an email and we will notify you. The schedule is every third Sunday of the Month at 4:00 PM in capilla del Pequeño Cottolengo Don Orione, Carlos Pellegrini 1441.

Establishing relationship with the Polish Community

The Filipino Community in Argentina made history of reaching out and establishing a friendly relationship to the Polish Community in Argentina. Geographically speaking, Poland and Philippines is so distant and don't share any common interest. Both countries are distinct and has unique culture but here in Argentina we were able to extend our hand and build that friendship for one common goal, to help and share God's love to others. Through the help of Fr. Martin Mroz, an Argentine priest who spent 9 years in the Philippines, he introduced us to the President of the Polish Community, with the aim of partnering in a benefit show to support the Cottolengo de Don Orione. In the picture you will see the members of the Polish Community Commission together with Evie Abat, (far left in red) Consul Arvin De Leon (wearing the Barong) Kristina Wardyga -President of the Polish Community (center in black) Marissa Suarez -FilCom Coordinator(center next to Kristina)

Meet the Filipino Community in Argentina

Dear Visitors and friends,

In behalf of the Filipino Community members in Argentina, I welcome you in our site. The aim of this blog is to promote the Filipino "Bayanihan spirit" (solidarity) and share our culture to other community and to other people who are interested to know about our activities and our presence here in Argentina.

To our Filipino members, feel free to send me your feedback on how we can improve this site and also if you have some pictures you would like to publish, you can share it with me.

Thank you for visiting! Looking forward to hear from you.

All the best,

Marissa

Filipino Community Coordinator