By Bohol Island News Staff | 09:33 PM December 15, 2019
The city government of Tagbilaran won the Belen design contest. They took home P350,000.
The local government of Antequera came second with P250,000 prize, while the local government of Loboc was third placer with P150,000.
The municipalities of Maribojoc, Jagna, Catigbian, Sevilla and San Miguel won P50,000 each and a plaque.
The winners were announced on Sunday, Dec. 15 on the last day of the belen display at the CPG Park as part of the KASADYA! Pasko sa Bohol activity.
There were 14 municipalities which participated in this year’s contest which showcased the richness of the Boholano Christmas culture, traditions and heritage .
A “belen” is a recreation of the biblical tale of the birth of Jesus Christ in a stable after his parents, Joseph and Mary, were turned away by an innkeeper.
“Belenismo” is Spanish for the art of making a Belen. Its origin goes back to 1223 when St. Francis of Assisi, then a deacon built the first one.
The Holy Family remains the focus of this year’s Belenismo in Bohol province after the provincial government opened the “Belen Design Contest” at the CPG Park in Tagbilaran City on Thursday night, December 5.
The birth of Jesus has been depicted in various forms and continues to be interpreted in modern artistic forms around the world.
