Cebu Parklane International Hotel marked the start of the festive season with a Belen lighting ceremony as a way of promoting Christmas the Filipino way.
Aptly themed “Pasko sa Banay” or Christmas in the Family, the event highlighted this year’s celebration as a return to its roots.
The highlight of the Belen lighting was the placing of Baby Jesus in the manger with the angelic voices of the Sto. Nino Chorale singing Silent Night in the background.
This later built up into the choir’s grand finale of Gloria in Excelsis Deo right after the lighting.
Pasko sa Banay does not just refer to biological family but the community that every Cebuano calls home, whether it’s a church, organization, or workplace.
With Pasko sa Banay, the hotel aims to bring together different communities to celebrate as one big family.
The Nativity scene exhibition is a reenactment of the birth of Jesus. The hotel said St. Francis of Assisi was credited with creating the first nativity scene in 1223 to place emphasis on the worship of Christ during Christmas rather than on secular materialism and gift giving.
There are diverse Nativity traditions around the world and displays can be found in churches, homes, shopping malls, and other venues such as public buildings or lands.
Cebu Parklane International Hotel has lighted its Belen in the last three years, using upcycled materials to reduce waste and promote sustainability.
