BELENISMO: A SPECTACLE OF HOPE
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nspired by a visit to the Holy Land where he’d been shown the traditional birthplace of Jesus, Saint Francis of Assisi, then a deacon, created the first nativity scene display at Greccio, in central Italy, in the 1200s. The exhibit, blessed by Pope Honorius III, was an attempt to place the emphasis of Christmas on the worship of Christ rather than secular material ism and gift giving.
Saint Francis’ nativity scene, staged in a cave, was a living one with humans and animals cast in Biblical roles. It eventually grew to more elaborate affairs — humans and animals replaced with richly robed figurines against a backdrop of intricately decorated and landscaped static scenes.
Since then, the birth of Jesus has been depicted in various forms and continues to be interpreted in modern artistic forms around the world such as the famed Belenismo in the province of Tarlac.
In 2007, the Belenismo or the “art of making Belen” was launched by the indefatigable mother-and-daughter tandem of Isabel Cojuangco Suntay and Dr. Isa Cojuangco Suntay, in Tarlac, under the auspices of the Tarlac Heritage Foundation. A simple vision to restore the religious and social significance of the Belen, it was christened “Belenismo sa Tarlac” and later earned the province the title “Belen-making capital of the Philippines.”
Now in its 11th year, the spirit of Belenismo sa Tarlac 2018 is very much alive! It is a testament to the Tarlqueños’ resilience and inimitable, indomitable spirit by joining the competition notwithstanding economic challenges and the havoc brought about by typhoon Ompong in the province last September (as typhoon Lando did while preparing for the Belenismo in 2017). As in the previous years, traditions of old
bayanihan or communal unity is evident in the assemblage of masterfully crafted creches both large and small, depicting the humble birth of Jesus — the heart of Christmas. In keeping the spirit of Belenismo alive, Tarlqueños once again orchestrated this great event by showcasing their creativity, ingenuity and resourcefulness through their magnificent Belen creations using recycled indigenous and man-made materials from previous Belenismo events. This community undertaking transcends economic and social classes, political and religious choices.
In this edition of Belenismo sa Tarlac, 26 belens in different categories (Grand Municipal, Grand Non-Municipal, Monumental, Church, and Community) made it to the finals out of a total of 55 entries from all over the province.
Winners in the Grand Municipality Category are: Capas, Moncada, and San Clemente (1st Prize), Victoria and Gerona (2nd Prize), Concepcion and San Manuel (3rd Prize).
In the Grand Non-Municipal Category, the Philippine Army Belen and SM Primeholdings Inc. Belen bagged the top award. Robinsons Land Corporation Belen and Tarelco Gerona Belen were 2nd and 3rd Prizes respectively.
Monumental Category winners are: McDonald’s Capas (1st Prize), Don Bosco Technical Institute and Nay’s House Restaurant (2nd Prize), Tarlac Agricultural University and Magic Star Mall (3rd Prize).
Church Category winners: San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish and San Roque Parish (1st Prize), San Francisco Shrine Anao (3rd Prize).
Community Category winners: Samahan sa Pura Community and Taguiporo Giants Association (1st Prize), McDonald’s Highway and Almaville Subdivision (2nd Prize), House of Cruz Belen and McDonald’s Motorway (3rd Prize).
The winners were announced in a ceremony last Dec. 1 at Robinsons Place in Tarlac City. Attending the awarding ceremonies were Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (Guest of Honor), DOLE Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III, Interior Secretary Eduardo Manahan Año, Agrarian Reform Secretary John Rualo Castriciones, Energy Sec- retary Alfonso Cusi, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei Nograles, and Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista.
The Belen is a familiar scene in Philippine Christmas that we see every year. But beyond the spectacle that delights the senses, the Belenismo actually stirs and revitalizes one’s spirituality. That’s why the Belenismo has remained so close to my heart and that of my fellow judges for the past 11 years.
Tarlqueños for the past 11 years have been making room in their hearts for Jesus by way of their creches — their way of reminding others also to make room in their hearts for the coming of our dear Savior.
The Belenismo is a prayer. It is a bridge of hope between the sinful and God. The Belen is a symbol and a sign that we can achieve our hope for salvation and lasting peace.