19 December 2005 --  The Philippine Consulate General in New York reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Filipino community in New York and neighboring states ushered in Christmas with the celebration of the first evening of Simbang Gabi on 14 December at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center in Manhattan. The sponsors of the first Simbang Gabi were the Coalition of Philippine Schools Alumni Association and the United Nations Philippine Cultural Society.

New York Consul General Cecilia Rebong said "the Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado allows Filipinos in the tri-state area (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut) to experience the Filipino way of celebrating Christmas." "It is heartwarming to note that one of the nine masses is sponsored by five youth groups, namely, Philippine New York Jaycees, Youth Sector of Filipino American Human Services, Inc., Collaborative Opportunities for Raising Empowerment (CORE), Kalusugan Coalition, and Diverse City Theatre. These young Filipino Americans are proud of the beautiful Philippine Christmas tradition," she added.

Filled to capacity, Kalayaan Hall looked festive with Philippine parols and a 7-footer Christmas tree decorated with sinamay and capiz trimmings. Reverend Monsignor Ruben Dimaculangan, Second Counselor at the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the U.N., celebrated the mass. In his homily, Monsignor Dimaculangan talked on conversion of hearts by way of the Holy Family.  A Philippine Rondalla provided Christmas carol music. After the mass, the crowd shared in the food, consisting of native delicacies such as pansit, bibingka, puto and suman.

Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado, a project that was initiated by the Consulate General twenty years ago, starts on 14 December and lasts until December 22. Each mass is hosted by the various Filipino-American organizations. The Philippine Consulate General in New York is a co-sponsor of the last Simbang Gabi on December 22. END