MORE than 20 Nativity scenes are on display across the province of Tarlac, the Belen Capital of the Philippines, which serve as a reminder to every spectator that there is hope amid suffering.
This year’s “Belenismo sa Tarlac 2021,” a province-wide belen-making contest, has participants competing under five categories: grand municipal, grand non-municipal, church, monumental, and community.
The project is led by Doña Isabel Cojuangco-Suntay and her daughter Isa of the Tarlac Heritage Foundation Inc. and has been running for 14 years now. The event will run until January 6, 2022.
The AFP Locket
A locket is made of precious metal with a space for a memento that is typically worn suspended from a necklace. It is symbolic of something that one wants to keep close to their heart forever.
Municipality of San Clemente
Although people are plagued by fears, doubts and uncertainties, as good plants, the municipality advises to simply trust their owner and should not worry.
In every garden, in every vineyard, there is an opportunity to be discouraged, the municipality wrote. “Weeds thrive, insects feast and diseases find an outdoor home.
Likewise in people’s lives, there are elements that can hinder them from bearing fruits.”
It would be easy, especially during this time of the pandemic, to become discouraged. It would be easy to quietly think of quitting, to be frustrated, to be exhausted and don’t want to have to bear anything more.
If so, listen to the wonderful truth of this season; do not be stressed and confused as people already got more than they need. “What we just need is to trust our Saviour,” the municipality noted.
Taguiporo Giants
The idea behind the concept of this year’s entry is as vast as all the waters in the world.
The “Ocean of Love Belen” is a grand and theatrical interpretation of the crí¨che by the Taguiporo Giants Association.
The entry depicts an underwater concept where the Holy Family is placed inside the giant white pearl made of crumpled paper, recycled ukay-ukay clothes, and represents the livelihood of Filipinos.
Iglesia Filipina Independencia
Putting up a belen during the pandemic is very challenging and worth sacrificing, according to the Mission Parish of St. Francis in Anao, Tarlac.
The entry of the church to the Belenismo sa Tarlac rekindles the essence of the gift of life which God gave. “It reminds us that our life must reflect on the life of Jesus — a life that is full of love, compassion, and faithfulness,” the parish said.
CYG 2
The pandemic has shattered the nation, but people should not have to stay broken or hide their wounds.
It said: “We can put ourselves back together, and the scars we wear at the broken places become a reminder of the tragedies we have endured and how we overcame them — a mark of beauty in an imperfect life.”
Santuario de San Josemaria Escriva
The Santuario de San Josemaria Escriva Youth Ministry led by the Shrine’s Youth Choir, Koro de San Josemaria Escriva, came up with the idea of designing a belen themed as “Angels of Music for Christ” which eventually became an official entry for the annual Belenismo in Tarlac.
Chris Cachero is the designer and head of the committee in charge of constructing the belen.
Just like the seraphims, the choir praises and worships God through their music and service for the church, and builds this family of young generations to also inspire other youth in the community to gather and celebrate God’s holiness through singing.
Magic Star Mall Paniqui
The employees have designed their belen entry called ‘’Belen sa Kubo,” a commemorative scene that imparts the virtue of humility and simplicity in people’s daily lives, hence, there’s no need to live in extravagance.
The belen, in its simplicity, immortalizes the love and hope of the Holy Family, reminding them that whatever calamities or pandemics may come, there will be hope as long as they have each other.
Ang Halimuyak ng Belenismo sa Anao
The Municipality of Anao’s belen was conceptualized by municipal tourism officer Joey Astrero and Romeo Tambalo, which was inspired by the town’s Ylang-Ylang Livelihood Program.
Every nativity scene is customized, but what Anao made stand out are the indigenous materials used to build the Belen.
Anao’s entry to Belenismo sa Tarlac is a unifying event for the municipality, as it brings together the community and transcends economic barriers, religious beliefs, and political affiliations.
