02
The Scene That Really Depicts Christmas Before the discovery of colorful lanterns, towering Christmas trees and flashing Christmas lights, what used to epitomize Christmas was a static scene depicting the birth of Jesus as he lay in a manger, with his mother Mary and Joseph. Such scene we term today as “The Nativity of Jesus,” or, in what it is more popularly called in the Philippines, the “Belen”. Both gospels of Matthew and Luke describe Jesus was born in Bethlehem, with Mary and Joseph, while angels proclaimed him Saviour of humankind and shepherds come to adore him. Wise men followed a star in the sky to reach Bethlehem, bringing gifts for the newborn, said to be the World's Redeemer. While it is true that representation of Christmas has evolved over the centuries, – with lanterns, lights, decorated trees and other embellishments adoring homes and streets – nothing would come close to the grandeur, symbolism and spirit that “belen” brings during Christmas season, maybe because the scene depicts the first Christmas ever. Good thing that “belen”, though seemingly diminishing its manifestation in Christmas adornments, is still far from dying out. A lot of people still use it as Christmas ornamentation that somehow restores the religious and social significance of the “belen” as a symbol of Christmas. In the province of Tarlac, for example, belen was given a renewed spirit as mounting one becomes a by-product of “bayanihan”. Townspeople gather their efforts altogether to mount a “belen” that is unique and creative and have it vie for an award at the annual Belenismo sa Tarlac – a belen-making competition among all towns/cities, churches, schools and establishments in the province geared to gain an annual tourist attraction for Tarlac, a project that seeks to transform the province into the “Belen Capital of the Philippines.” Belens competing for the Belenismo are usually made up of indigenous materials and are proudly displayed long during the holidays in streets, buildings, municipal grounds, gardens and even houses. They come to life during the night when they are litted and the Nativity scene is flashed by the spotlight. And they are inspired by the community's way of life. The Belenismo sa Tarlac, first staged in year 2007, has already gone quite a long successful journey and hopefully it will come a long, long way even more in its advocacy as it gradually becomes a tradition in the province and a source of pride for the whole country as it showcases how creative Filipinos are. As it is, belen serves as an emblem of love and hope; that no matter how hard situations may become, seeing the scene of a worthy family in a manger shall make us realize that life is good after all. Frank Cimatu, PDI - North Luzon Bureau
William L. Beltran, PIA-3
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Japan's Nagoya Honmaru Lions Club and Baguio Pines City Lions Club turns over the Lions Club International Foundation school building to the Bonifacio Elementary School
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Ilocos Norte Crime Statistics
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Dec 15
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