Belenismo in Tarlac: Christmas stories

The Belenismo is one of the most awaited events held in the province of Tarlac during the Christmas season.  This project has served as an avenue for the Tarlaqueños to showcase their creativity,  which in turn has brought pride to the different towns of Tarlac as well as the local establishments that participate in this belen-making competition.

This annual tradition, conceptualized 10 years ago by Isabel Cojuangco Suntay and her devoted daughter, Dr. Isa Cojuangco Suntay of the Tarlac Heritage Foundation, has become the apostolate of these two passionate Tarlaqueñas.

Aside from the showmanship, a deeper purpose of the Belenismo is to unite communities and send the spiritual message of God’s love. Each belen is made with a prayer in front of the Holy Family that is posted. According to Isa, “The story of the belen is the reason why we celebrate Christmas. It is a call to prayer.”

At the start of the Advent season, my sisters and I look forward to viewing the different belen entries located all over the province of Tarlac.

Each belen is beautiful and unique because it is lovingly made by the hands of the townsfolk, who gather to pray for spiritual guidance as they reflect on the blessings they have received before discussing how best to present the Holy Family using what they have.

Creativity is unleashed when making the belen as participants are encouraged to use discarded, natural and recyclable materials. One of my favorite entries ingeniously used mounds of dried cow dung, which they painted into the prettiest pink and green roses to adorn the columns of the amazing Capas belen.

A touching Belenismo story my sisters and I experienced this year was walking on the newly paved stone courtyard of the St. Joseph’s Parish in Capas, which was a muddy walkway last year. Parish priest Father Noel Paguinto was so happy at being able to use their prize to improve their church grounds that are enjoyed by the parishioners today. Another success story came from an entrepreneur, who recalled that since joining Belenismo, his fast food store flourished and he was able to put up his second store that also participated this year.

Here are three special belens I admired in the 2017 Belenismo.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish of Tariji.

Azaya Garden Resort of Capas

This luminous belen stands on the peaceful grounds of the Azaya Garden Resort in Capas, Tarlac. It is the handiwork of the enthusiastic team of resort employees,  who humbly claim that God’s kingdom is their inspiration. They made use of old bricks, hay, vines, bamboo, pillow cotton, rags, metal wire and capiz shells. Bright lights covered the manger from the ground to the top to create a crown that symbolizes the kingdom of God. They wish to send a message that the kingdom of God is where mankind will find peace.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish of Bamban.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish of Tariji

This belen is an expression of humility and the mercy of God. It was completed though the efforts of parish volunteers who dedicated their time to this endeavor  with the support of the Mount Carmel Parish Pastoral Council of Tariji, Tarlac City. They used scraps and recycled materials, which symbolize nothingness and brokenness. They made use of bottle caps for the background, stick brooms for the ceiling, coconut shells for the roof and columns, saw dust, bamboo, tree branches and stones for the base.  It is their belief that the mercy of God makes a community whole and one. Hence, they came up with the concept of gathering used materials to show that putting them up together is a manifestation of oneness before the Lord lying in the manger.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish of Bamban

Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish (OLGP)  lies in the center of Dapdap community in Bamban, a resettlement founded after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991. Survivors coming from all walks of life evacuated to this hilly place to safeguard their respective families. That tragic event moved people to become more pious believing all that is happening has a Godly purpose.

This belen stands as a symbol of hope, faith and love. Its flower-shaped figure is an eco-friendly creation entirely made of recycled materials. Plastic spoons and bottles were creatively designed to bring out their desired beauty. It took a week of preparation for the team to put up this symbolic creation with Resty M. Datu, a teacher in Dapdap High School, at the helm.  This belen, built at the façade of OLGP, now stands proudly as the center of attraction in the community. As people and public vehicles pass by it, they are called to pray.

This endeavor signifies how the people of Bamban embrace the Christmas spirit.

This celebration symbolizes the meaning of the most beautiful time of the year. It is the time of forgiving, sharing and loving.

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