Christmas in the Philippines is never complete without the belen, a tableau depicting the nativity scene that can be found in Filipino households every Yuletide season. Since its inception in 2007, “Belenismo” has become a yearly competition for belen makers in Tarlac. It has also become a tourism activity for those who wish to experience the spirit of Christmas through creative interpretations of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Known today as the “Belen Capital of the Philippines,” the province of Tarlac organizes “Belenismo” annually, drawing entries from different individuals and institutions for the belen-making contest.
President Benigno S. Aquino III graced this year’s awarding ceremony at the Tarlac College of Agriculture gymnasium in Brgy. Malacampa, Camiling, Tarlac. He was welcomed by Belenismo’s founding chairpersons Isabel and Dr. Isa Cojuangco Suntay of the Tarlac Heritage Foundation, Camiling Mayor Neil Agustin and Dr. Max P. Guillermo, president of the Tarlac College of Agriculture.
President Aquino proudly led the awards rites for the winners in the six categories of “Belenismo”: high school diorama, personal diorama, church, monumental, grand municipal (local government units) and grand non-municipal (government agencies and business establishments).
Just when we thought 2011 would be the last year of the Belenismo, preparations this year started as early as July after the mayors of the province unanimously passed a resolution requesting Isabel and her daughter Isa to help them continue and organize this year’s Belenismo. Isa got to work immediately and informed everyone of us (Ces Drilon, Cito Beltran, Johnny Co, Ding Mercado, Rica Lopez de Jesus, Yvonne Romualdez, Christine Dayrit, Carlo Rojas, Josephine Sanares and Mike Mina) for judging dates and the calendar of activities for Belenismo sa Tarlac 2012.
It was by sheer dedication, passion for the endeavor and hard work that this year’s Belenismo was successfully staged. The members of the organizing committee were thankful to the support of Ramon Ang, president of San Miguel, the major sponsor of Belenismo.
Many belens in the province were outstanding as they each had a significant story to tell. Inspirations behind each creation amazed the judges and it was honestly a very difficult challenge to choose which belen outdid the other. We knew in our hearts that each work was a labor of love and dedication.
Of all the belens in Tarlac, there was one particular masterpiece, however, that impressed me because of the inspiration behind the creation and the magnificence of its presentation. Congratulations to the men and women of PNP-Tarlac for their rendition of a Muslim-inspired nativity creche. Each year, since the contest started, the members of the PNP-Tarlac have won and have even been elevated to the Grand Hall of Fame. Putting up their glorious belens always had their intricacies and challenges but the dedicated women and men of the PNP always hurdled the difficulties of creating a nativity opus of sterling proportions.
I learned from the creators of the PNP-Tarlac belen that their entry this year was inspired by the signing of P-Noy in October of the historic peace accord creating an autonomous political entity named Bangsamoro. The members of PNP-Tarlac were so moved by this development that they decided to pay tribute to this historic accord by using the colors of the South.
The three umbrellas in the PNP-Tarlac belen represents Luzon (yellow), Visayas (red) and Mindanao (green). The eagle perched on top of the umbrellas symbolizes the strength of the Philippine National Police.
The 14 badges arranged to signify a Christmas tree, with a giant eight-point star atop, represent the PNP National Headquarters in Camp Crame, the Provincial Public Safety Company, the Tarlac City Police Station and its 11 Police Community Precincts. Their entry is a symbolic tree depicting the PNP’s love of God, country and the environment. The big white star on top of the Christmas tree is a subtle reminder for each and every member of the country’s police force to always adhere to the PNP’s motto: “We serve and protect.”
The lone giant star made up of many rays of light represents God the Father’s unconditional love for mankind.
The 29 male and nine female members of the PNP-Tarlac belen team gathered talahib around the province and turned the lowly grass into a work of art. They painstakingly dried and wove the talahib grass to become walls, stairs, balustrade and waiting shed of their belen. What better proof that even the ordinary can be transformed into something beautiful and useful with the use of our God given talents.
The 18 colorful flags in the PNP-Tarlac belen represent the vibrant nature of the people from the 17 municipalities and one city of the province. The people of these towns welcome one and all to this lovely part of Central Luzon during this festive time of the year.
For these men and women in uniform, PNP can also mean “Pasko Na Po!”
Congratulations to the people behind and who joined the Belenismo sa Tarlac 2012.
A very blessed Christmas to one and all.
(Would love to hear from you at miladayjewels@yahoo.com.)