2012 Belen Lighting @ The Araneta Center

For 20 years now, the Araneta Center has put up the Belen, a traditional Filipino Christmas icon that depicts the birth of Jesus Christ. This life-sized depiction of the Nativity at the Farmers Market, which serves as a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas, has come to be a yearly local attraction, and Christmas at the Araneta Center is not the same without the Belen.

Following the Giant Christmas Tree lighting last November 9, the Araneta Center continues the tradition of ushering in the holiday season with the annual Belen Lighting ceremony.

This year’s Belen Lighting ceremony was held on November 16 at Farmers Market. Present to witness the solemn ceremony were Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, Quezon City 3^rd District Congressman Jorge Banal, Barangay Socorro Barangay Chairman Joey de Guzman, Quezon City 3^rd District Councilor Pinggoy Lagumbay, and Quezon City Market Department OIC Noel T. Soliven.

The Christmas cheer continues at the Araneta Center after the Belen lighting, so be sure to check out all the holiday sights, sounds, treats, and activities lined up for the whole family from November until January 2013:

Buy all things Christmassy at the Parolan bazaar in Farmers Garden; get your fill of fresh-cooked puto bumbong and bibingka, plus other mouth-watering treats at the Christmas food fair in Quadrant C (Giant Christmas Tree area); and be dazzled with the showcase of brightly-lit electric capiz floats also in Quadrant C. Get great bargains as well during the Araneta Center Pre-Christmas Sale on November 23 to December 2.

Be serenaded by the different chorale groups as they sing your favorite Christmas carols every weekend from November 17 to December 23 during the Chorale Competition; marvel at the fireworks display every Friday and Saturday all throughout the holidays; and get your kids to meet Santa at Gateway Mall, Ali Mall, and farmers Plaza every Friday to Sunday from December 1 to 25.

The British are coming to Manila, as well as your favorite Disney Princesses and Heroes, this December! Catch Sir Elton John and Sting as they stage back-to-back concerts at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on December 8 and 9. And on December 25 to January 3, see your favorite Disney princesses Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Aurora, Snow White, Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Tiana, and their equally dashing princes in Disney on Ice: Princesses and Heroes! Log on to www.ticketnet.com.ph or call (02) 911 5555 for tickets.

Thanks for The Araneta Center for inviting me in this Great Event, but there's a bad thing, My camera that i will used to capture photos is lowbat :( so i have no photos for the lighting of Belen, but i can share to you what happened in this event.

There's a Special Mass and Blessing of the Belen, after that, exactly 6pm the Belen light up! with the help of some VIP Guests so after the lighting, the Fireworks started with the singing of the Choirs of some tagalog christmas song. The event was fun! Christmas in Araneta Center! :D

I will do my best to get photos of the 2012 Belen Lighting so i go again that i'am ready! :)