Belen display at Casa Gorordo

CEBU, Philippines - Casa Gorordo relives a long forgotten Christmas tradition by redisplaying an antique collection of miniature belen (a tableau representing the Nativity scene) figurines.

The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), in its years of continuing efforts to promote Cebuano heritage, opened yesterday a public belen at Casa Gorordo Museum gallery. 

The belen showcases the antique figurine collection of Casa Gorordo Museum which was originally kept from the public.

Now, after over 10 years of being kept at the museum’s chapel, the antique figurines are artistically displayed with 10 different settings depicting important scenes of the nativity story.

Msgr. Cris Garcia, founder and spiritual director of the Society of the Angel of Peace, headed the blessing and opening of the belen. Garcia, as a cultural and heritage enthusiast himself, said that the belen completely depicted the entire story of the nativity. “Everything was quite depicted,” he added.

According to him, the story of Jesus’ birth “shows the entirety of Jesus divine mission here on earth among us.”

“He comes to stay, that is why we celebrate Christmas,” Garcia added.

Dr. Jocelyn Garra, RAFI executive director for culture and heritage, told The FREEMAN that “the figurines is one of the main feature of the house… this is a treasure, which shows both art and religion.”

Garra added that the last time the figurines were displayed was way back in 1980 by the original owners of Casa Gorordo before RAFI took over.

“The belen in the Casa Gorordo Museum is a manifestation of RAFI’s promise to carry on the house tradition of the Gorordo family,” Garra stressed.

The figurines are mostly made from clay with intricate hand painted décor from the 1980s and some are made from precious ivory. Most of the displays are already very fragile due to their age. Through the advice of the Gorordo family, Msgr. Garcia headed the arrangement of the figures with their respective stories.

The Casa Gorordo Museum is the 19th century residence of the first Cebuano Bishop Juan Garces Gorordo. As part of their tradition, the Gorordo family put up the belen as one way of celebrating Christmas. 

Since RAFI obtained ownership of Casa Gorordo Museum, the foundation pledged to continue this as well as other unique traditions of the house, such as Sinulog sa Casa Gorordo, which highlight the original Sinulog dance steps, Semana Santa and Pista ni San Juan.

The opening of the belen is timed with the 27th anniversary of the opening of the Casa Gorordo Museum on December 15, 1983 where it showcased 19th and early 20th century Philippine lifestyle and architecture.

Cebuanos or guests who plan to see the belen are welcome during office hours with only P20 as entrance fee. Children below 7 years old are free to enter.

Casa Gorordo Museum was recognized as a national historic landmark by the National Historical Institute in 1991.

The belen will remain open until January 6, 2011, which is the Epiphany of the celebration of the visit of the three kings to Jesus. — THE FREEMAN