Belenismo in full bloom

For the second straight year, Tarlac is showing the way in promoting the real Christian spirit of Christmas with the province-wide Belenismo project, now a Department of Tourism calendared event.

The Tarlac Heritage Foundation, led by founding chairperson Isabel Cojuangco Suntay, is spearheading the campaign to not only establish the province as the country’s Belen capital but also - and more importantly - to spread the good news of Christ’s birth to save mankind.

Assisting Mrs. Suntay are foundation treasurer Dr. Isa Cojuangco Suntay, Rev. Fr. Alex Bautista (head of the Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church, Tarlac diocese), Jun Baron (head of the Tarlac Convention and Visitors Bureau) and Gov. Victor Yap.

Last year’s first Belenismo was a huge success. There were four categories in the Belenismo contest - diorama (Albert Dancel, winner), monumental (Jose Maria Escriva parish, winner), grand municipal (Victoria town) and grand non-municipal (Tarlac Police Provincial Office, Camp Macabulos. Belens were mounted all over the province, creating a festive mood and rekindling the essence of the Yuletide spirit.

“Belenismo isn’t just a contest,” said Asenso Pinoy TV host Francis Cardona of Paniqui. “It’s a reminder for all of us to live Jesus in our hearts. The real meaning of Christmas is Christ’s love. Through the Belen, we relive His birth in the manger and deliver the message of peace on earth and goodwill to men.”

* * *

The organizing committee welcomed 55 entries in the four categories - diorama (10 entries), monumental (21), grand municipal (16) and grand non-municipal (eight).

Additionally, a special category was introduced, open to all Tarlac high school graduates to build a 3x3 foot Belen depicting three main figures, namely, the Infant Jesus, the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph. The Belen should be made of at least two of seven of the following product packages - Purefoods Hot Dog wrappers, Eaji Snacks, Cali, Magnolia Pure Water, Magnolia Fruit Drinks, Star Margarine and San Mig Coffee.

Comprising this year’s organizing committee are Mrs. Suntay, Dr. Suntay, board member Amado Go, Mrs. Chit de Ocampo, Mrs. Becky Tan, Mrs. Alice de Vera, Mrs. Lita Ilagan, Mrs. Anne Ilagan Belmonte, Jun Baron, Mrs. Milit Baron, Dr. Ric Ramos, Col. Rudy Lacadin, Col. Florante Torres and Gov. Yap’s support staff headed by Engineer Elmer Bulaon. San Miguel Corp. is once again the event sponsor.

Last Nov. 22, five well-known judges were in Tarlac to view all the entries. They were La Salle Dasmariñas museum curator Joey Panlilio, TV broadcaster Ces Drilon and STAR columnists Michelle Dayrit-Soliven, Christine Dayrit and Cito Beltran.

Cardona said the judges had a difficult time choosing the winners.

“The Belens were much-improved from last year,” said Cardona. “As you drive along the highway, you’ll see beautiful Belens in San Manuel, Moncada, Capas and Tarlac City. There are also excellent Belens in San Clemente and Pura, among many others. Danny Asiaten took second place in the grand non-municipal category last year and put up another exceptional Belen this year to challenge the PNP. Some groups built Belens not for the contest but to share in the Christmas spirit.”

Dr. Suntay said just as San Fernando, Pampanga, is known as the country’s “parol” or Christmas lantern capital, Tarlac is now reputed as the national Belen capital.

“As soon as you enter the provincial boundary and you see Belens along the way, you’ll immediately know you’re in Tarlac,” said Dr. Suntay. “We, Tarlaqueños, are proud of this. If other provinces want to start their own Belenismo campaign, we’ll support and encourage it. The spirit of Christmas is for all.”

Big prizes await the winners. In the diorama category, the first prize is P25,000, the second P15,000 and the third, P10,000. In the monumental category, the first prize is P50,000, the second P40,000, the third P30,000, the fourth P20,000 and the fifth, P10,000. There will be seven awards of recognition at a consolation prize of P5,000 each.

In the grand municipal category, the first prize is P50,000, the second P40,000, the third P30,000, the fourth P20,000, the fifth P15,000 and the sixth, P10,000. There will be seven awards of recognition at a consolation prize of P5,000 each. In the grand non-municipal category, the first prize is P50,000, the second P40,000 and the third, P30,000.

In the special category using San Miguel products, the first prize consists of P15,000 worth of San Miguel products and a P5,000 gift certificate, the second prize is P10,000 worth of San Miguel products plus a P3,000 gift certificate, the third prize is P5,000 worth of San Miguel products plus a P2,000 gift certificate and a consolation prize of a P1,000 gift certificate will be given each to the fourth to 10th placers.

The awards night will be held at the Maria Cristina Park in front of the provincial capitol on Romulo Boulevard, Tarlac City, at 5 p.m. this Saturday. Guest of honor is Sen. Francis (Chiz) Escudero. A street party will be held to climax the affair. Tarlac food items, crafts and delicacies will be on sale during the event.

By the way, Tarlac has spawned several outstanding athletes, including billiards’ Django Bustamante, former WBF featherweight champion Joselito Rivera, pro cagers Niño Canaleta and Banjo Calpito, amateur cagers Arnel Rosagas and Jun Canono, equestriennes Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, Danielle and Paola Cojuangco and Michelle Cojuangco Barrera, cyclist Loreto Mandi and archer Kit Cojuangco.