The province of Tarlac lights up the northern sky with joyful celebration during the annual Belenismo festival. Long before the advent season, the excitement begins in each town of Tarlac as folks, young and old, come together as a community to plan their unique interpretations of the Nativity scene. Through prayerful thinking, creativity and skill, each group turns discarded objects, recycled products plus organic materials into something meaningful. When finally done with loving satisfaction, they call it their beautiful Belen.
Dr. Isa Cojuangco-Suntay, whose family hails from Tarlac, is the passionate originator of the annual Belenismo. Going strong on its seventh year, this tradition has grown dear to people’s hearts because of what the Belen represents. It is the real true-to-life Christmas story that is centered on strong family ties, God’s mercy, compassion, humility, faith, hope and love for Jesus.
The mission of this tradition is to allow each viewer to say a prayer in front of each Belen he or she visits.
One of the most unforgettable Belens this year among the many beautiful ones stands proudly in Camp Gen. Servillano Aquino on MacArthur Highway in Tarlac City. This magnificent purple jewel, designed by singer Ding Mercado, is an award-winning work of art entirely crafted by the men and women of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Belen Team 2014.
To make the AFP’s Amethyst Star manger, recycled aluminum cans were collected by everyone from surrounding junk shops to make the décor of the Four Prayers before the Belen. Bamboo was used to make the frames of the lanterns. Scraps of violet and pink plastic were made into a collage to cover the recycled wooden pedestals of the Nativity set. The AFP is the nation’s ally in serving God and country, said an inspired Ding. Hence, their Belen takes on the form of an amethyst, which symbolically represents the heart and soul of the Internal Peace and Security Plan Bayanihan — a nationwide people-centered approach to winning peace by achieving progress and development in the countryside.
It is Isa’s wish that the loving and prayerful spirit of the Belenismo remain in our hearts all year round.
I would like to share with you the Belenismo prayer.
Prayer before the Belen:
God of every nation and people.
From the very beginning of creation
You have made manifest your love
When our need for a savior was great
You sent your son to be born of the Virgin Mary
To our lives He brings joy and peace,
Justice, mercy and love
Lord Bless us all who look upon this manger
May it remind us of the humble birth of Jesus
And raise up our thoughts to him.
Who is God with us and Savior of all
Who lives and reigns forever and ever
Amen.
May I gently remind everyone that the Christmas season is not yet over. It is still ongoing until Jan. 11, which is the baptism of Jesus. Hence you must go on and still greet one another a very joyful Christmas because God is with us!
A blessed New Year to one and all!
(Would love to hear from you at miladayjewels@yahoo.com.)