As many Australians celebrate Christmas, the nation’s Filipino community recently concluded Simbang Gabi, a nine-day tradition considered one of the longest-running and most vibrant in the Philippines.
A Tradition of Faith and Community
Simbang Gabi, meaning ‘night mass,’ is a cherished part of the Filipino calendar, encompassing church services, music, expressions of gratitude, and shared meals. Vivien Hanrahan, president of the Mackay Filipino Australian Community Inc (MaFaCi), explained the importance of food in these celebrations: “According to my mother, [at] any celebration you’ve got to have sticky rice, because it glues people together.”
Ms. Hanrahan fondly recalls helping her mother prepare for Simbang Gabi each October, a process that included weeks of work on traditional dishes. “She would make her own ham; my job was to keep turning the leg of ham once a week. It was very exciting,” she said.
Navigating a New Culture
For early Filipino immigrants, adjusting to life in Australia presented unique challenges. Ms. Hanrahan, who arrived in North Queensland with her husband Ted and young daughter in 1984, described some of the cultural differences. Dinner at her in-laws’ home was a structured affair, served promptly at 6:30pm, and unlike the communal dining style she was accustomed to, everyone had their own plate.
Even social customs were different. She recounted confusion over the Australian habit of ordering “a couple of beers,” noting, “Everyone was going to pubs on a Sunday. [Women] had to go to the lounge…I found out Australians didn’t know how to count at that time because they’d always say, ‘I’m just going to go and have a couple of drinks,’ and two hours later, you’re still having a couple of drinks.”
A History of Migration
The first Filipino migrants to Australia were the ‘Manilamen’ who arrived in the 1870s, working as pearl divers in Thursday Island, the Northern Territory, and Broome. However, the implementation of the White Australia Policy in the early 1900s significantly restricted further immigration for decades.
The policy’s abolishment in the 1970s coincided with a period of upheaval in the Philippines, including martial law, economic hardship, and emigration policies under President Ferdinand Marcos, prompting a new wave of Filipinos to seek opportunities abroad.
A Growing Community in Mackay
Mackay, in North Queensland, is now home to one of the largest Filipino communities in the region, representing the third-largest migrant group in the city after English and New Zealanders, according to 2021 Census data. Nurses Vic and Julyn Chunle Cavales, who relocated to Mackay seeking a secure future for their family, appreciate the city’s climate, which is similar to that of the Philippines.
Their journey to Australia was complicated by visa issues related to their daughter Cheska’s Down syndrome. Ms. Cavales emphasized the challenges, stating, “I’m not after the benefits [Cheska] can get from the government, I just want her to be safe.” The family spent seven years living across three countries before finally reuniting in Mackay in 2022 and receiving their Australian citizenship last year.
Maintaining Cultural Connections
Community organizations like MaFaCi play a vital role in supporting new arrivals and preserving Filipino traditions. Ms. Hanrahan and her group assisted the Cavales family with their immigration process and continue to connect with newcomers at events like Simbang Gabi.
“I’m so happy to sing Filipino songs,” Ms. Cavales said. “Those are the songs children would sing in the streets…It brings back memories of childhood.” Dory Nones, who has lived in Mackay for almost 20 years, explained that events like Simbang Gabi and Independence Day celebrations help to create a sense of home for the Filipino community and allow them to share their culture with others. “We were lonely, we were missing home,” she said. “Eventually it grew, and we want to share it with others.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Simbang Gabi?
Simbang Gabi is a nine-day series of dawn masses celebrated in the Philippines, and by Filipino communities worldwide, as a novena in preparation for Christmas.
Why was Simbang Gabi different in Mackay this year?
Due to a shortage of priests, the community in Mackay was only able to hold a single Simbang Gabi mass this year, rather than the traditional nine.
When did significant Filipino migration to Australia begin?
While the first Filipino migrants arrived in the 1870s, a larger wave of immigration began in the 1970s following the abolishment of the White Australia Policy and coinciding with political and economic changes in the Philippines.
What role do community organizations play in supporting Filipino Australians?
