Nine Days To Christmasbr br Filipinos mark the countdown to Christmas Day on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021, with the traditional 'Simbang Gabi' or nine-day dawn masses. Churches were mindful of the health protocols as the country celebrates the holidays for the second straight year under the shadow of the pandemic.br br Photos by: The Manila Times Photographersbr - Enrique Agcaoilibr - John Ryan Baldemorbr - J.