CBCP: Vatican nativity scene unveiling has 'Pinoy touch'

The Nativity scene at the Vatican has a 'Filipino touch' and Tagalog Christmas carol echoed during its unveiling ceremony on Christmas Eve early Saturday (Manila time), the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines said. Nine Filipino statues complemented the traditional figures of the Holy Family at the unveiling, the CBCP said in its news site. "At exactly 6:00 p.m. (2 a.m. Saturday in Manila), the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI lighted a candle for peace as he watched the unveiling ceremony from the window of the papal apartments. In the darkness, he blessed the assembled crowd with the light of the single candle," the CBCP added. On the other hand, a Tagalog Christmas carol sung by the Karilagan Filipino choir from Sentro Pilipino was a special highlight at the ceremony, the CBCP said. Vatican City governorate president Giovanni Cardinal Lajolo recognized the special contribution of the Philippines. According to the CBCP, Laiolo also noted the dynamic faith of Filipino Catholics and stressed that the Philippines is the largest Christian country in Asia. The Governorate of the Vatican City organized the event, attended by ecclesiastical authorities of the Holy See and civil authorities from the City and Province of Rome. Philippine Ambassador to the Vatican Mercedes Tuason and Josephine Bantug led the Filipino community in Rome during the unveiling. Filipino sculptor Kublai Ponce-Millan designed the statues to represent different indigenous groups of the Philippines in a festive celebration of faith, music, food and family on the occasion of the birth of Jesus, the CBCP said. "The attractive smiling figures dressed in colorful native attire and playing musical instruments, portray the joyful spirit of Philippine Christmas that is known as the 'longest and most festive celebration in the world,'" it said. Angelo Cardinal Comastri, Archpriest of the Basilica of St. Peter, led the prayer service of the nativity scene. In her message, Ambassador Tuason thanked the Governorate of the Vatican City State for giving the Philippines a special place in the center of the Roman Catholic Church’s celebration of the birth of Christ this year. Tuason added that allowing the Philippines to participate in this event marked in a special way the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the Holy See. "The Philippines is the first country outside Italy to be given a major part in the Vatican nativity scene, since this tradition was first begun in 1982 under the pontificate of John Paul II," the CBCP noted. "Filipinos are honored as they join the hundreds of pilgrims who come to St. Peter’s Square at this time of the year, to contemplate the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who came to call all peoples into the one family of God," it added. The Vatican display is the most viewed Nativity scene in the world, since Pope John Paul II moved it to the square in 1982. "He wanted to restore the tradition of placing a manger scene in the home, and he also wanted to encourage younger visitors to come to the Vatican," recalls Sister Aurea, who has been working on the Vatican Nativity scene for 30 years. Filipinos online have eagerly awaited this year's manger scene, saying it makes them proud to be Filipino. "Here's a wonderful opportunity to promote the Philippines," observed Lee Soriano on Facebook. "Filipinos in Italy are consoled to see their Christian faith recognized and affirmed by the Holy See in this symbolic way. They are grateful for the honor of being placed in the center of Catholicism’s celebration of the birth of Christ this year," the CBCP said in an earlier report. Still, not everyone was pleased. One acerbic comment on Facebook said the move is merely "the Vatican making sure its grip among the 3rd world is still in place as its devotees continue to dwindle among the first world."— CGL/LBG/JV, GMANews.TV