CONCEPCION, Tarlac ,Philippines – President Aquino is planning to spend Christmas in his hometown here.
Aquino was the guest of honor and speaker during the awarding ceremony for the 5th Belenismo – the Art of Making Belen (Nativity) 2011 held at the Jesus Lapus Sports Complex here last Saturday night.
“There is no greater joy but to spend Christmas in my hometown,” he said in a short speech. The President congratulated all the winners of this year’s Belenismo and encouraged them to be more aggressive in their craft and help the government boost local tourism.
He said tourism will translate into a good economy and will create jobs for Tarlaqueos. Aquino also praised the work of Dr. Isa Cojuangco-Suntay and the Tarlac Heritage Foundation for initiating Belenismo aimed at enhancing Tarlac’s tourism.
Suntay recalled that Belenismo started in 2007 when they encouraged town officials all over Tarlac to put up belens (Nativity tableaux) focusing on the Holy Family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus using recycled materials.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) has named Tarlac as the belen capital of the Philippines.
“It is the first Belenismo Festival in Asia. Because of this, Tarlac was known even in different countries,” Suntay said.
The event was attended by the diplomatic corps and the different mayors of Tarlac towns along with Vice Gov. Angeli Pearl Pacada.
The President handed out the trophies and cash awards to the winners assisted by Suntay’s aunt, Doña Isabel Cojuangco-Suntay, chair of the Tarlac Heritage Foundation, the prime mover of Belenismo.
The municipalities of Moncada, San Clemente, Anao and San Manuel won the 1st prize and received P70,000 each.
The towns of Ramos and La Paz were tied for 2nd prize while the municipality of Pura was 3rd placer. Other winners were the Tarlac City Police Station, Azaya Garden Resort, GR8 Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Our Lady of Remedies Parish, San Sebastian Cathedral, Immaculate Conception Parish, St. Isidore Parish, Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, VES Foodhouse, Nay’s House Restaurant, and Tree House by Jeffrey Valencia. Albert Dancel, Jesus Quizon, Emerson Guiang and Allan Talavera were winners in the personal category.