TARLAC CITY, Philippines—Nothing can be more profoundly etched in the minds of most Filipinos come Christmas season than the Nativity scene—Mary and Joseph in a stable looking at the newborn Jesus laid in a trough with hay. There are also the farm animals, sheep and shepherds; the Three Kings with their gifts of myrrh, gold and incense; and the bright star above the manger.
This Nativity scene comes out each December in various forms and sizes, from cutout paper boards to wood carvings to ivory figurines, and are set in a special place in homes, offices and business establishments.
Four years ago, Tarlac took a giant step to make this Nativity scene the core of its December celebration, not only as a tourism event but more so to keep ablaze a people’s devotion to its Catholic heritage.
Called “Belenismo sa Tarlac,” this annual event has brought Tarlac communities together to create their nativity masterpieces.
‘Belen capital’
Going beyond the biblical theme, Tarlac’s belenismo has in fact “Filipinized” the Nativity scene and can rightfully claim that indeed, it is the “belen capital” of the Philippines.
On Monday, at least three foreign ambassadors, and former Sen. Richard Gordon, took a look at Tarlac’s many interpretations of the belen.
Gordon, a former tourism secretary, said the project was unique and a “showcase of the architectural creativity of the Filipino at this time of the year.”
Greek Ambassador Xenia Stefanidou said she has not seen anything like Tarlac’s belens.
Most belens, she said, looked the same but the trip to Tarlac gave her a variety of Nativity scenes.
Singaporean Ambassador A. Selverajah said his country does not have anything like this festival, but his experience in Tarlac was “very good.”
Australian Ambassador Rod Smith said the trip was “interesting and exciting.”
European roots
Belenismo takes its roots from Europe, particularly in Italy and Spain. The event’s organizers trace its origin to the town of Greccio in Italy. A story cited by the organizers said in 1223, to celebrate the Eucharistia on Christmas Eve, a baby doll was used to represent the newborn Jesus. The manger included a mule and an ox and was was set up in a cave.
In Florence, it was noted that initial references to the belen were made by an architect named Arnolfo in 1289. He was the architect of Florence’ first cathedral where white marble figures were carved out to depict the belen.
Understandably, belenismo flourished in Spain. Sculptors and related craftsmen were called the “belenistas.”
Franciscan Order
The belen as we know it now was believed to have been introduced by the Franciscan Order in the 15th Century. Some of the unique and antique figures of the various belen created through the centuries can still be found in the museums and monasteries of Spain.
In Tarlac, the idea of belenismo was first broached by Fr. Alex Bautista of the Our Lady of Peace seminary to Tarlac Heritage Foundation founder Isabel Cojuangco-Suntay in 2007. Bautista was then working on a research paper on Church culture at the University of Sto. Tomas.
Soon enough, following a workshop in 2007, the first “Belenismo sa Tarlac” was launched.
Since then, belens in the province’s town halls, government buildings, churches and business establishments have been set up or crafted for the festival. These works of art come in various categories—from the museum oriented dioramas to huge outdoor pieces.
Telling a story
Dr. Isa Suntay, executive producer of the “Belenismo sa Tarlac” and daughter of Cojuangco-Suntay, said while she was going around the province to check on the progress of preparations for this year’s festival, she felt that every belen was telling a story.
“Individuals, families and even entire communities came together to showcase Tarlac’s best talents and creative efforts and what Tarlaqueños hold dear—a love for mother earth, respect for nature and the environment, and a devotion to our Catholic heritage,” she said.
The younger Suntay described Tarlac’s belenismo as “a reflection of the way of life and the means of livelihood of Tarlaqueños and a deep respect for our cultural diversity as a people and a deeply ingrained value system which we have inherited from past generations.”
Indeed, universal as the Nativity story is, every belen created in Tarlac’s 18 towns has a story of its own.
For instance, the top prize in the local government category was shared by the towns of Victoria and San Clemente.
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Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer
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