Photo from: philstar.com

The province of Tarlac has lit up with the festive lights of 44 belens taking part in this year’s Belen-making competition.

Belenismo sa Tarlac 2017 was formally opened at at Camp General Sevillano Aquino on MacArthur Highway in San Miguel, Tarlac City on November 6.

On display at the military camp is a special belen built by the Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry Division and Mechanized Infantry Division and the Philippine National Police’s Police Regional Office 3.

Made of recycled material—old wooden platforms, used lights, discarded tarpaulins, leftover sequins, paint, Styrofoam, plywood, camouflage cloth, and previously used statues, costumes, and model farm animals—the belen was constructed by soldiers and police officers who fought in Marawi, and is a tribute to the city. Read More: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/artandculture/633743/belenismo-lights-up-tarlac/story/

BELENISIMO FESTIVAL

Photo from: http://philippineromancatholic.blogspot.com/2012/12/maligayang-pasko-sa-inyong-lahat.html

Tarlac, known as the “Belen Capital of the Philippines” holds the annual “Belenismo sa Tarlac”. It is a belen making contest which is participated by establishments and residents in Tarlac. Giant versions of the belen with different themes are displayed in front of the establishments and roads of Tarlac for the rest of the Christmas season. – flickr.com

Photo from: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/345299496405057109/

A BELEN is the Nativity scene where Jesus is born in a manger with Mary and Joseph watching over Him. The three kings with their gifts, animals, shepherds and the illuminating great star completes the scene. It is the most significant memento of Christmas for it reminds us that the occassion is about Christ.

To find a Belen in a Filipino house during the Christmas season is quite rare these days. We often lean more to the westernized decorations such as the Christmas Tree and even a blown up version of a Snowman. But in Tarlac, there are beautifully decorated Belens all over the province.

The Belenismo sa Tarlac continues to bring life into the Belen tradition. What started in 2007 as a way to promote the art of Belen making and encouraging the people of Tarlac to put up Belen in their homes, now became a local tradition and a much loved event, not only by the locals, but most especially by tourists who are amazed by the intricately designed Belens along the different participating municipalities. Read More: http://www.choosephilippines.com/go/heritage-sites/321/Belenisimo-sa-Tarlac

Photo from: https://beta.philstar.com/headlines/2016/12/13/1653012/psg-serenades-rody-tarlacs-christmas-event