MAGALANG, Pampanga – An age-old pre-Christmas ritual that has not only remained extant but exuberant in its celebration here has commenced on Dec. 12 with characteristic pomp, pageantry, and piety.
Twenty-six barangays joined the “Lubenas Ning Pasku – Ing Banal a Batuin ning Magalang: The Holy Star of Magalang” procession around the Poblacion area leading to the 19th century Baroque San Bartolome Parish Church, signaling the start of the novena for Christmas. “Lubenas” is local derivative of the Latin novena, a Catholic devotion of nine consecutive days of prayers leading to a sacred feast day.
“The people of Magalang—from the barangay to the parish councils and the youth—come together as one to keep this beautiful flame alive,” enthused Mayor Malu Paras-Lacson.
“The Lubenas is a visible symbol of our unity, our creativity, and our deep-rooted faith as we prepare for the Nativity of our Lord.”
“This is a long-standing tradition because of the community participation, cooperation, and encouragement we see in every barangay,” she noted. “This collective spirit is our motivation to ensure the Lubenas is sustainable and lasting for generations to come.”
Lanterns processed during Lubenas are of specific designs with the cross-shaped lantern at the lead symbolizing Jesus Christ, followed by 12 star-shaped lanterns called “batuin” in two rows representing the 12 Apostles, and the fish-shaped lantern – the ichthys, a secret symbol meaning “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior” in Greek used to identify early Christian communities at the time of the Roman persecution.
Punto Lifestyle Team/Photos: Nelson Gonzales-CLMA Pampanga
