Belenismo brings back a Christmas tradition
Everyone desires happiness; no one wants pain. But doesn’t a glorious rainbow appear only after the rain? Despite the onslaught of calamities, both natural and manmade, nothing can stop the spirit of Christmas cheer, especially for the Tarlaqueños who have zealously manifested their advocacy to make their province the “Belen Capital of the Philippines.” In deference to the times, they have ingenuously adapted unique themes like Global Warming, Nativity in an Evacuation Center, and Recycled belens into their creche mise en scenes. Yes, the grand conspiracy of love embraces the province of Tarlac at the Third Belenismo.
My heart is full of gratitude for this legacy lovingly created (by inspiring founders Tita Isabel Cojuanco Suntay and her daughter Isa) for this generation and the next ones to remember the most important message: rejoice, the Savior is here. As the entire community joins hearts, minds and efforts to create the most beautiful nativity scenes, there is a collective feeling in the air that is both touching and infectious.
Reminiscent of the faithful magis led by the luminescence of the star of Bethlehem, our group of judges for the annual Belenismo contest in Tarlac (led by the affable Cito Beltran, Ces Drilon, Joey Panlilio, Johnny Co and my sisters Jaqui, Michelle and Yvonne) excitedly gravitated towards this breathtaking site where hundreds of nativity scenes lit up homes, malls, rice and corn fields, plazas and churches with their most creative and unique masterpieces lovingly crafted in the vibrant spirit of their communities. In fact, Tita Isabel and Isa have solidified efforts with the Department of Tourism to calendar this yuletide event in the roster of DOT’s festive milestones of our culture. Their vision is for Tarlac to become a tourist destination for locals and foreigners visiting other parts of the country during this soulful season.
Isa says, “The Belenismo was created to bring back an important Christian traditional value and belief that should be passed on through generations, which is the significance of 
Christ’s birth. Thus, we encourage the saying of prayers before the belen. May joy, peace and hope prevail in these troubled times.”
In Tarlac, the entire province becomes a haven of nativity scenes that try to best one another. Yuletide cheer is so infectious that it is hard to remain untouched. The theme of Belenismo has been the same since its inception. Thanks to the experience they’ve acquired over the last three years, local artists conceptualizing the various belens have been able to innovate, modify and recreate crèche scenes characterizing current times and situations. Love for the environment is a popular theme this year. A belen in Concepcion, the third congressional district of Tarlac, features recycled glass bottles and drinking glasses. Fallen mahogany branches and fruits are showcased in the entry of Capas. A belen housed in a traditional Filipino balag is the theme of the Tarlac Police Provincial Office. Even “live” reenactment of the Nativity is staged nightly under the star-strewn sky. Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng brought much devastation to the province and the country at large and yet the resiliency in the Tarlaqueños is evident in their one-of-a-kind masterpieces.
Seventy belens made it to the deadline of registration, which was on Nov. 12. Seven categories are showcased in this year’s Belenismo sa Tarlac: Diorama, Monumental, Grand Municipal, Grand Non-Municipal, Church, Congressional District Offices, High School Category. San Miguel Corporation is the major sponsor.
The winners are the following: Church Category 1st Place was awarded to St. Isidore Parish in Pura for its Global Warming Belen depicting a resettlement or evacuation center, a home for the homeless, as well as for the Holy Family. Despite the tragedies and trials around us, “we believe that God is with us (Emmanuel). He becomes one with us born in a manger (belen). He is one with the victims of calamities. God is one with the rescuers, one with the people with generous hearts sharing what they have with the typhoon victims.” Second place was awarded to Our Lady of Remedies; and third place went to St Antoninius Parish.
For the Grand Non-Municipal category, the PNP-TPPO (Tarlac Police Provincial Office) bagged 1st place. Now in the Hall of Fame for winning the grand prize yearly since 2007, the PNP, under the leadership of Police Supt. Rudy G. Lacadin, puts primary importance in its role as protector of the citizenry and service to the community. Their belen is a dazzling display of green, blue, gold and silver lights and indigenous materials such as dayami, bamboo, twigs and talahib gathered by the men and women of their police force. Grupo-Agro bagged 2nd place while UAP Tarlac won 3rd place.
For the Monumental Category, Coconut Grill bagged the plum prize. This is a collaborative effort that symbolizes what Coconut Grill offers. They used native adornments for accent and a creative interplay of natural wood. Nay’s House (home of sumptuous pancit palabok, lechon, native delicacies like tibok-tibok, cassava cake and banana turon) won second place while Gem’s Cutflower bagged 3rd place.
For the diorama category, the judges’ favorite was Albert Dancel’s Belen Okir-Okir or (Pasko sa Mindanao). Dancel has been elevated to the “Hall of Fame,” having won 1st place for three consecutive years. He explained that the Maranao are the graceful “people of the lake,” living on the northern edge of Lake Lanao. The belen is made of indigenous and recycled material like illustration board, old boxes, driftwood, malatarlac grass, bamboo sticks, orchids, palm and pine fruits. The 2nd place in this category went to Tarlac Provincial Jail and the 3rd place was awarded to Jessie Agustin for his Mayon Volcano belen.
For the Congressional Category: the 3rd District won 1st place under the leadership of Rep. Jeci A. Lapuz. With the helping hand of the community and Concepcion North Central Elementary School, what was once considered junk (used plastic and glass bottles and plastic cups) was transformed into something awesome. For more than a month, more than 1,600 hands joined together to create their “Belenismo: Ang Puso ng Pasko”
The municipality of Capas won 1st place for its biblical modern depiction of the belen. Talented designer Jessie Dizon explained that plywood, coco lumber and dried mahogany fruits can be utilized to create an aesthetically unique. The municipality of San Manuel bagged 2nd place while Concepcion was 3rd place.
In 2007, the provincial government, Tarlac Heritage Foundation, Tarlac Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Commission for Cultural Heritage of the Church launched the Belenismo. Today, the Tarlac Heritage Foundation spearheads the event, with the awarding taking place on Dec. 5 at the Maria Cristina Park, Romulo Boulevard in Tarlac City, with DOT Undersecretary Oscar Palabyab as guest of honor.
What is the profound expression of Christmas? It is to remind us that behind the toys, tinsel, carols, cards and chaos, we must find a moment of quiet reflection and peace. The Infant Jesus, the King of Kings was born in a humble manger. He is the reason for the season and in His embrace, we will find only happiness, not pain, and incessant rainbows after the rain.
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For more information, call the Museo ng Probinsiya ng Tarlac or Tarlac Heritage Foundation at 045-4931773.
