Christmas Countdown: "Belen"

Today, Christmas Eve, I share with you the belen (creche) or Nativity Scene. The belen is a diorama depicting the birth of Jesus as narrated in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Main characters include the infant Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and the Three Wise Men. Some versions of the belen feature real humans and animals.

The Philippine city of Tarlac, home of the "Belenismo sa Tarlac" festival is known as the "Belen Capital" of the country." The festival features a belen-making competition, while giant versions of the belen are on display in many parts of the city for the Christmas season.

Following are pictures of versions of the belen, taken somewhere in Bulacan and at the ABS-CBN compound in Quezon City: