It’s Christmastime in the City
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.
You are my inhalation , I own few blogs and very sporadically run out from to brand.
business broker nj…
[...]Every when inside a though we select blogs that we study. Listed below are the latest web sites that we select [...]…
atheist products…
[...]we like to honor lots of other net websites on the net, even if they aren?t linked to us, by linking to them. Below are some webpages really worth checking out[...]…
Thanks a lot for sharing this with all of us you actually know what you’re talking about! Bookmarked. Kindly also visit my website =). We could have a link exchange agreement between us!
I cherished up to you will get completed ideal below. The sketch is attractive, your authored subject matter stylish. nevertheless, you command get bought an edginess over that you desire be offering the subsequent. unwell unquestionably come further formerly once again as exactly the very same virtually very generally inside case you shield this hike.
Keep up the good work , I read few articles on this site and I conceive that your web blog is really interesting and contains bands of good information.
oioidaojawdohjwdh;odhdw
Awesome suggestions planning 1 blog choices completely overwhelmed
WONDERFUL Post.thanks for share..more wait .. …
Thanks a lot…
Hey, I really appreciate your post, it was really informative. I’ll be looking forward for your next post….
Hey! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this website? I’m getting sick and tired of WordPress because I’ve had problems with hackers and I’m looking at alternatives for another platform. I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.
mlm companies review…
[...]just beneath, are numerous totally not associated web-sites to ours, having said that, they’re certainly really worth going over[...]…
I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you design this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz answer back as I’m looking to design my own blog and would like to know where u got this from. thanks
I wanted to send a brief word in order to thank you for those amazing facts you are showing on this site. My incredibly long internet lookup has at the end been rewarded with useful facts and strategies to talk about with my neighbours. I would point out that many of us visitors are rather blessed to be in a very good site with many perfect people with very helpful advice. I feel very much privileged to have seen your website and look forward to tons of more cool minutes reading here. Thank you once again for everything.
very good post, i actually love this website, keep on it
I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an edginess over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this increase.
I really enjoy looking at on this website, it has got fantastic blog posts. “A short saying oft contains much wisdom.” by Sophocles.
I have been browsing on-line greater than 3 hours nowadays, but I by no means discovered any interesting article like yours. It is pretty value enough for me. In my opinion, if all site owners and bloggers made good content material as you probably did, the web shall be a lot more useful than ever before.
I consider something really interesting about your web site so I saved to favorites .
I got what you intend, thankyou for putting up.Woh I am happy to find this website through google. “Finley is going over to get a new piece of bat.” by Jerry Coleman.
Thanks for sharing excellent information. Your website is very cool. I am impressed by the info that you’ve on this blog. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for extra articles.
Loving the info on this internet site , you have done great job on the blog posts.
Howdy. Very nice website!! Man .. Beautiful .. Superb .. I will bookmark your website and take the feeds additionally…I am glad to find numerous helpful info here in the post. Thank you for sharing…
Firefox 4 Keeps Freezing…
[...]here are some hyperlinks to web pages that we link to for the reason that we think they’re worth visiting[...]…
Merely wanna remark that you have a very decent website , I enjoy the design it really stands out.
I like this web site very much so much great info.
how to get a free ipad…
[...]check beneath, are some completely unrelated internet sites to ours, on the other hand, they’re most trustworthy sources that we use[...]…
Good day! Would you mind if I share your blog with my zynga group? There’s a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate your content. Please let me know. Thanks
Thanks a lot for sharing this with all of us you actually recognize what you’re speaking approximately! Bookmarked. Please additionally visit my web site =). We will have a hyperlink alternate agreement between us
What i do not realize is in reality how you’re now not really a lot more neatly-preferred than you may be now. You are very intelligent. You recognize therefore considerably in terms of this subject, made me individually believe it from numerous various angles. Its like women and men don’t seem to be fascinated until it’s something to accomplish with Girl gaga! Your individual stuffs excellent. Always take care of it up!
I truly appreciate this post. I have been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thank you again…
I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was curious what all is required to get setup? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very internet savvy so I’m not 100% sure. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. Cheers
2011…
I appreciate, cause I found exactly what I was looking for. You have ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye…
Hi there! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this site? I’m getting tired of WordPress because I’ve had issues with hackers and I’m looking at alternatives for another platform. I would be great if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I will certainly comeback.
2011…
Fantastic beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your web site, how can i subscribe for a blog website? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear concept…
Thanks for the tips you are sharing on this blog. Another thing I’d like to say is that getting hold of some copies of your credit file in order to inspect accuracy of the detail could be the first action you have to accomplish in credit restoration. You are looking to clean your credit report from damaging details problems that mess up your credit score.
what’s up with the severely overpriced 2GB hard drive? You can get a 2GB flash drive for less than $20 that does pretty much the same thing…
south bronx pigeon
2011…
I do agree with all the ideas you have presented in your post. They are really convincing and will certainly work. Still, the posts are very short for newbies. Could you please extend them a little from next time? Thanks for the post….
Thank you a lot for providing individuals with such a wonderful possiblity to discover important secrets from here. It is often so superb plus jam-packed with fun for me and my office peers to visit the blog at least thrice every week to learn the latest issues you have got. Not to mention, I’m just usually astounded considering the extraordinary secrets you give. Certain 4 areas on this page are essentially the very best we have ever had.
2011…
Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all of us you actually know what you’re talking about! Bookmarked. Kindly also visit my website =). We could have a link exchange agreement between us!…
Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wished to say that I have truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again soon!
Wow! This can be one particular of the most helpful blogs We’ve ever arrive across on this subject. Actually Wonderful. I am also an expert in this topic therefore I can understand your hard work.
Thanks a lot…
Hi, I really appreciate your post, pretty good reading. I’ll be looking forward to coming again….