The most indigenous Filipino Christmas symbol

We have many old Christmas symbols. Probably the oldest is the Nativity scene, known by its Spanish name belen, or Bethlehem. This is a tradition that is believed to have originated way back in 1223 when St. Francis celebrated Christmas by depicting the Nativity scene complete with live donkey, sheep and ox. By the 17th century, the custom reached Spain, and a century later it was introduced in Mexico from where it was brought to the Philippines. Originally, the only human figures in the belen were the Holy Couple and the Holy Infant. The Three Kings were added during the Epiphany. Today, even the presence of the Three Kings is questionable for on May 9, 1969,the Vatican announced that 33 saints were being officially removed from the Calendarum Romanum. Among them were the Three Kings and St. Nicholas, the prototype of Santa Claus. Originally, gifts were exchanged on December 6, feast day of Saint Nicholas. The Dutch pronounced his name Sinter Klass and that is how St. Nicholas became Santa Claus.

In the Philippines, Santa Claus became the central figure of the X’mas celebration. Gifts were originally exchanged during The Feast of the Three Kings. This was to commemorate the homage that the wise men from the East paid to the Holy Infant that consisted of three gifts – gold, frankincence and myrrh. Today, gifts are exchanged on Christmas day and they are supposed to be presents, not from the Three Kings, but from Santa Claus.

But the truly indigenous Philippine Christmas symbol is neither the belen or the Santa Claus. It is the star lantern and that is a story in itself. The star lantern was the Filipino adaptation of the Mexican luminaria, which was basically a clay jar with a star shaped hole. The luminaria was actually a clay lamp. When a candle was placed inside, a star representing that of Bethlehem glowed in the dark. This was placed outside every home as a sign that the Holy Couple who were in search of an inn were perfectly welcomed.

In the Philippines, for very practical reasons, the Mexican clay luminaria was transformed into a star lantern. It is so Filipino that of all the Christmas symbols, it is only the star lantern that has evolved into gigantic Christmas displays. In the Pampanga town of San Fernando, the Christmas lantern is not only gigantic in proportion, but more important is that it represents the collective work of the entire community. Men prepare the wooden frame; women assess the costs and purchase the materials and children prepare the paper patterns. The only work by professionals is the complicated generator-powered lighting complex that will turn the lantern into a modern kaleidoscopic display. These colossal lanterns are placed in trucks and paraded around the town plaza before the Misa de Gallo. In San Fernando, some lanterns have a thousand live bulbs.

But in the ultimate analysis, it is still the simple star-shaped candle-lit lantern that is the true measure of any Philippine Christmas celebration. In his writings, Jose Rizal depicted a sad Christmas saying, "It was Christmas Eve but the town was sad. Not one paper lantern hung from the windows…" We hope this Christmas will not be that sad.