MANILA, Philippines ? Baguio City?s falling temperature is not a hindrance to the observance of the traditional nine-day Misa de Gallo. For people in the lowlands, completing dawn masses might be as easy as going to regular Sunday Mass, but for Baguio folks, waking up in the cold weather requires extra sacrifices.

During the Misa de Gallo, residents go directly to the churches from their beds. Because of the cold wind blowing, most people do not bother taking a warm bath, but no one cares. Baguio people are hygienic. They are still neat when worshipping.

The Misa de Gallo is an annual gathering of people from different walks of life ? politicians, ukay-ukay vendors, housekeepers, professionals. Aside from being an occasion for family bonding, the Masses reunite friends and acquaintances.

It has already been a tradition for Saint Louis Aurora Hill High School (SLAH) and other Catholic schools in the city to join this unique celebration.

The SLAH administration invites its students (they are not required) to attend the Misa de Gallo as part of their liturgical participation and as members of the local parish.

?We do this for them (students) to experience the thrill of coming to church with all the Christmas music being played as early as 4 a.m.,? says Martina Dailay, principal and religion teacher.

She says the students and parishioners do not feel cold because the church is full.

The SLAH sponsors the first of the nine Masses. Students and teachers act as lectors, collectors and altar servers during the Mass. Today they will sponsor a Mass to be officiated by Baguio Bishop Carlito Cenzon.

Michelle Gaw-wi, a third year student, attends the Misa de Gallo not only for the academic incentives she gets but to be closer to God and to prepare herself for Christmas.

Students get additional points in their religion and values education class when they attend the morning Masses. They get a chance to make a wish and hope that it will come true at the end of those nine Masses.