crumb trails

I love it when December comes. The air is cooler, especially during the night. From my window, I’m greeted every morning with a picturesque view of the mountains, with fogs hanging low. It makes me want to go back to bed, snuggle under the sheets, and steal a few more minutes of sleep.

Ah, the glory of provincial living…

But that’s not the point of this post. The city, where I spend most of my time during weekdays, is all glittery and bright this time of the year; truly a sight to behold during the night. Tiangge or bazaar can be found all over the metro. And the yearly Christmas decors in Policarpio Street in Mandaluyong, the COD Christmas display in Greenhills Shopping Center and the giant tree at the Araneta Center are already in place. One can marvel at their beauty. It may be a little extravagant at a time of economic crisis, but who can prevent the Filipino from celebrating Christmas?

The Metro’s Christmas Icon

Up until now, the giant Christmas tree at the Araneta Center continues to be the most popular icon of the Holiday season in Metro Manila. The tradition of lighting the giant tree started in 1981, getting its inspiration from the giant Christmas tree displayed at the Rockefeller Center in New York City.

Each year, the Araneta center holds a lighting ceremony, signaling the beginning of the Christmas season. This years giant Christmas tree is magnificently adorned with ribbons and gift boxes and lighted with over ten thousand bulbs, plus hundreds of stars and balls. The tree’s lights are on until midnight everyday.

Christmas All-Year Round

The museum of Belen Collection in Marikina is one of the nicest places I was able to visit this year. Here, everyday is Christmas day. Visitors can marvel at the wide variety of Belen from all over the world. “Belen” is the Spanish term for the nativity scene, which depicts the birth/birthplace of Christ. A typical Belen is composed of Mother Mary, St. Joseph and the infant Jesus in a manger. It is set in a barn designated for keeping animals and haystack. The depiction would also include the Three Wise Men carrying gifts, sometimes the shepherds and their herd, angels and the Christmas star or the Star of Bethlehem. The star is an important symbol in Philippine Christmas tradition. During the holiday season, a Filipino home is usually with a parol (Star of Bethlehem), usually placed by the window.

Belen from around the world, made from different materials.

The Belen Museum houses the collection of Mrs. Carmen Carlos of over a hundred Belen. Mrs. Carlos is a retired businesswoman from Marikina, who started collecting Belen in the 1950s. Before, she only showed her collection to relatives and friends. It was only in November 2006, from the request of Marikina mayor Maria Lourdes Fernando, that Mrs. Carlos’ collection was exhibited to the public. Its main aim is to deliver the message of hope that the birth of Christ brings to the world.

At the entrance. Catching snowflakes inside.

See how different countries interpret the nativity scene; most of them given a local touch. Be fascinated by the Belen from the Philippines, Russia, Japan, Bethlehem, Germany, Spain, Vietnam, Africa, Italy and Peru. There is a Belen made from every imaginable material: fiberglass, wood, ceramics, paper, tin and the most amazing are those made from riverstones, jute, abaca rope (lubid), and clay.