BAGUIO CITY – The observance of the Immaculate Conception here on Tuesday was made more meaningful as a reminder of the season’s reason to celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ.
“This is Baguio’s way of commemorating the birth of Jesus as well as celebrating life and unity amid the trials and tribulations brought about by the pandemic and other challenges,” Mayor Benjamin Magalong said in a statement.
Proclamation 845 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte listed Dec. 8, 2020 as a special holiday in the country. It is the day observed by the Catholic church as the Immaculate Conception of Mary, when Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary informing her that she will conceive a son — Jesus Christ.
The 12 nativity panels stand at Malcolm Square located at Lower Session Road. This is part of the story-telling themed Christmas decorations at the city’s central business district designed to tell a Cordilleran-style Christmas story portrayed through ethnic symbols and patterns.
There are also six ethnic boards representing the different provinces that comprise the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) signifying the region’s oneness in welcoming the birth of Christ.
The decorations were designed and installed uniquely to portray the meaning of Christmas and to give tribute to the Cordillera people’s resilience in weathering obstacles like the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
The rest of the panels will be lighted each night.
The nativity scene placed on 12 panels are: Angel Gabriel appears to Virgin Mary; Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth; Angel Gabriel appears to Joseph; Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem; All the inns are full; The Birth of Jesus; Angels announce the birth of Jesus to shepherds; The three kings — Melchor, Baltazar, and Gaspar; The Holy Family escapes to Egypt; and The Life of Jesus of Nazareth. **PNA
