No lack of genius

While the Department of Tourism seems to be having problems with original ideas and useful creativity, people in the Province of Tarlac are currently overflowing with competitive creativity and community spirit.

For four years running, the Province of Tarlac has held what we all call the “Belenismo” which is a province wide competition for the BEST Belen or Nativity scene. Spearheaded by the irrepressible mother and daughter Isabel Cojuangco- Suntay and Dra. Isa Cojuangco Suntay, the “Belenismo” has fully evolved from a community project into a significant cultural and provincial undertaking.

Sorry for the city slickers who always think that “Imperial Metro Manila” is the center of the universe and all things better. If you can just get out of your comfort zones you will surely see for yourself the many nativity scenes that solicited the labels WOW, Spectacular, and Extravaganza, as competitors went beyond mere Belens.

On the first year, very few people were convinced that the “Belenismo” would carry on year after year, because some people had doubts that the people of Tarlac would actually get involved in the competition.

Adding to the difficulty has been the lack of vision and support from major politicians and civic leaders of the Province who think of the Belenismo as minor cultural project of little significance.

Unfortunately, those who lack imagination also suffer from lack of vision. So most of them must now stand by the sidelines as the little people have grabbed center stage in a competition that has become bigger than what the founders imagined.

If the political and business leaders of Tarlac would only give Tourism and Belenismo the recognition it deserves, the province has a “global product” that the can be proud of and can attract both local and international tourists.

Even companies like San Miguel Corporation, which has faithfully supported the competition, should seriously consider using the Belenismo for their corporate Christmas TV and print campaigns instead of paying millions of pesos to “professional talents because it is an event that Filipinos can appreciate, enjoy and be proud of.

This year, we started out at the Museo ng Probinsya ng Tarlac where the “hall of Fame” or constant winners are featured, along with miniature exhibits that would undoubtedly impress architects, interior designers, artists and teachers.

Entry #8 Emerson Guiam showed flooded provincial home surrounded with actual water and Christmas gifts on a lifeboat.

Albert Dancel displayed a native scene where a farming family represented the reality of farmers. What caught my eye was a miniature tarpaulin from the elections saying “Pnoy kaluguran daka” or Pnoy we love you. It showed the reality that after the elections, we all move on and make the most of what is left behind by the politicians. In this case, they recycle their expression of support.

While Luz Million/Geronimo Cunanan focused on the prosperity of the province, Rizzel Ann Lanoria’s exhibit showed that even for today’s young people the Central Azucarera is part of their mind-set.

As for artistry and reflecting both abundance and culture Aldrin Capiendo got our attention with his focus on Ifugao culture and the detail of his focus on the panagbenga spirit.

In case you’re now imagining the possibilities of doing the tour, rest easy because you can “hire” or request for a guide to accompany you through the many towns and exhibits. You will feel very safe with those guides because they are off duty police officers.

Incidentally, this year’s Belenismo was so competitive that there is now what we call the “Thank you girls” portion or sorry but you did not make it.

If you want a good start do so with merienda or dinner at Nay’s restaurant where I suggest the Sugpo with Aligue then head out for the northwestern municipalities beginning with Sta. Ignacia where the 3 kings left gifts and disappeared.

In Mayantoc, the summer capital of Tarlac you walk up a miniature version of Baguio’s Lourdes Grotto, under a canopy of Parols that shine like “stars” then you see the natural resource of the town, namely boulders, river stones and humongous variety of vegetable.

Next stop is San Clemente border to the town Mangatarem, Pangasinan where our imaginations were tickled by chandeliers made of twigs & branches. Xmas trees with banig skin, paypays, maya cages and elderly folks enjoying the rondalla. This was our first clue of how the Belenismo was creating community events and solidarity.

When we reached San Manuel, the first words of judges was: WOW! They used dayami or rice stalks to create a filipinized nativity scene with 10ft models, Carabao with white egret, hen in nest etc. for a poor town they had a lot of heart.

In Moncada a private home located in barangay Rizal along the highway and owned by a lady named Mrs. Namnama Bangamasbad Villanos was so overwhelmingly lit up and totally Christmas, that they out shown the Town display.

Did you know that the town of Anao is the ilang ilang capital in the Philippines? Well, their evening events even drew crowds from neighboring towns of Nueva Ecija. We labeled their Belen “A Spectacle” because it can compete with many Manila corporate displays. They also had an Anahaw Christmas tree and used sulo lights.

If you are hooked on the TV show “Glee” well check out the town of Pura which was a pure production! They had a choir rhythm and soul, they had school kids doing a song and dance program with baby Jesus doing the wave.

Gerona brought out 4000 rum and patis bottles as a border for their giant size Belen along with street performers, cultural dancers and a parol dance. Honestly, they even had a judges table that made it all look like American Idol!

The town of Victoria featured a Belen at the rice terraces morning star on a zip line. Too bad they forgot the hot chocolate which we all missed this year!

La Paz which is on the border of Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija almost didn’t make it to the competition because they were flooded in last typhoon. But they pulled through with a Belen on a banca ready for evacuation. To top it all they used recycled CDs, bottle caps, tetra packs, farm implements on banca. They clearly worked the hardest and reflected real life.

Instead of a weekend at the Mall, go out to Tarlac. You will carry the experience for life.