Tarlac has laid claim to the title “The Belen Capital of the Philippines,” and the province underscored it starting last November 4 as it opened its “Belenismo sa Tarlac” Festival.
The festival brings together people from all walks of life as they try to creatively recreate the Nativity Scene or belen, a staple of every Christmas celebration in Tarlac and across the country. The Belenismo ends Jan. 6, 2017.
Included in the Department of Tourism’s calendar of events since 2007, this year’s Belenismo attracted 46 entries across five categories: Community, Church, Monumental, Municipal, and Grand Non-Municipal Category.
Winners will be announced on Belenismo Awards Night on Dec. 10, 2016.
Open to all bona fide residents of Tarlac, the contest features belen structures of varying sizes—the smallest being in the Community category at 2.8 meters (about nine feet)—and 50 percent of the belen’s materials must come from recycled items.
Tourism Undersecretary Oscar Palabyab dubbed Tarlac as the belen capital back in ’07, and the province embraced it by becoming a member of the Federacion Española de Belenistas.
Here are descriptions of some of the entries (pictured below):
1. Intellect Building (not pictured): A first-time participant, this is a stained-glass depiction of the nativity scene.
2. McDonald’s Concepcion: Another newcomer with a Filipiniana-inspired belen made from egg trays.
3. Municipality of San Manuel: Corn is a major product of this municipality, and this nativity display asks for prayers for a good harvest.
4. Municipality of Sta. Ignacia: Their theme uses the various products of the town—vases, flower pots, nipa, and bamboo, among others.
5. Our Lady of Ransom Parish: Bamboo, sinamay, cardboard animals, cardboard magi, and a patch of real carabao grass make up this brightly-lit display in the church courtyard.
6. Samahan sa Pura Municipal Belen: This colorful ornate depiction features bamboo, paper March doves, rubber sheets, straw mat, sawali and bilao.
7. Twin Pillars: Bamboo twigs, styrofoam made to look like bricks, artificial green plants creeping on the wall, and hay make this a native rooftop nativity scene.
