|
Christmas in Sariaya nowadays is synonymous with the “
Paskuhan “ or the Belen Festival, highlighted by life size nativity scenes
fashioned from indigenous local materials that showcase the inherent artistic,
creative and resourceful capabilities of the Sariayahins. It runs from December
15 – 23 and the Belens remain on display at the center of the town park till December 27th. However, in a
house at Rodriguez Subdivision known to tricycle drivers as “Jippers Ilaya “,
miniature Belens have been on display since the 15th of November and will stay
as such until the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6, 2008.
Angelito Idea Dedace’s fascination for the Belen began about
two years ago at the library of the now co educational San Beda High School
campus in Taytay, Rizal where he is an English Literature teacher. Accordingly,
the whole place was a cheer – filled Yuletide
affair and everyone commended the librarian for the beautiful decorations,
except for one thing…..there isn’t any Belen among the pre dominantly Santa –
inspired embellishments. With that, the school librarian hurriedly fashioned a
Belen from various decorative colored papers…..and that made an impression on
him.
That week end in Sariaya, Sir Gello saw the clay Belen given by a paternal cousin from
Bacolod a few years back with a different eye and suddenly thought of having
another one to complement it. Before the
following week was over, he had already
bought a Belen made of “Palo China” from Manila. For the Christmas of
2006, he purchased another two sets and thus had four Belens on display at
home. Of course, he was so pleased with the different kind of Christmas
cheer that they generated! What started
as a new found appreciation and admiration for the Belen turned into a desire
of seeing more of them displayed in their living room for the next Christmas.
And the feeling intensified further with the departure of his ageing parents
for the US last October for a six - month vacation with his younger brother who
lives in Sacramento, California. It strengthened his resolve to add even more
Yuletide cheer to compensate for his being home alone for a while…
Whenever and wherever, the Star of Bethlehem struck Belen -
lover was always on the look – out for those miniaturized nativity scenes to
buy… from department stores to trade fairs, malls in the big city and even in SM and Metro Lucena. He likewise
bought cute Christmas accessories like a
mini Christmas tree, Frosty Snowmen, silver bells, angels, boughs of holly,
wreaths, decorative lights, small Parols, even a few Santa Claus, which
brightened their house in and out. However, it is still the Belens that caught
his fancy, fashioned from various materials like ceramics, wood, a recent
prized Nativity acquisition made from
discarded tin cans, and others. Soon, he
had ten of them, on display and told himself that such was enough for the
moment. However, the very first inter town Belen making competition of the “
Paskuhan sa Sariaya 2007 “ was opened at
the park by the Sariaya Tourism Council
on December 15th and before he knew it, he had bought Belen number eleven already! And wonders never cease because come December
23, nephew and niece Al J and Angelica gave him their Christmas present, his
twelfth Belen, a mechanical one with characters moving with the twist of a key!
Truly overjoyed, the child within the 48 - year old Uncle could only give them
hugs and kisses as his heartfelt token
of appreciation. Each Belen is highlighted and illumined by a Christmas candle
for emphasis.
On Christmas eve, while preparing Embotido for the
traditional Noche Buena, we suddenly
thought of featuring this simple yet joyful Sariayahin Christmas story for
Jubert’s sariaya.net/portal. Momentarily
at a loss for a suitable title, Genii, another niece suddenly exclaimed “Gello
de Belen!”, and the house roared with
approving laughter and amusement!
It’s been three days since the eventful Christmas of 2007
and yet, Gello’s infectious Yuletide cheer still radiates the artistry,
creativity and resourcefulness of being home alone for the Holidays. And before
we know it, he will definitely be off
and thinking of his next Belen acquisition! Accordingly, he would like
it to be that old fashioned cardboard cut out Belen of our childhood mounted on
side tables… with a silvery “Pirag” Star of Bethlehem over an indigo blue
Papel de Japon backdrop, complete with “Pisi” radiations embellished in
Christmas lights, which is indeed much of a rarity nowadays.
|
Resources 
