MANILA, Philippines - A set of nine Filipino figures made by Filipino sculptor Kublai Ponce-Millan would be among the Nativity scenes to be put on display in Saint Peter’s Square in the Vatican beginning Dec. 24.
According to CBCPNews, the official news service provider of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), the Philippine-made statues depict a Filipino family in a boat pulling a net with a plentiful catch from the sea.
The other figures were portrayed playing different indigenous musical instruments. To complete the set, there were baskets filled with different Philippine tropical fruits, vegetables, fishes and shells, highlighting the bountiful harvest of the earth and the sea.
The sculptures 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.
Ponce-Millan, based in Davao, started working in August after Philippine ambassador to the Vatican Mercedes Tuason presented the project to the governorate of the Vatican City state as part of the launching activities of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the Holy See.
“To include the Filipino figures at the Vatican nativity scene will surely be most meaningful for all Filipinos, knowing that the solemnity of Christmas is perhaps the most popular celebration among Filipino Catholics,” Tuason said in her letter to Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo, president of the governorate of Vatican City.
Delighted with this proposal, Cardinal Lajolo reportedly responded, “This gesture would be meaningful for the vast Filipino community in Italy, a hardworking community of great faith and family values.”
Under the supervision of the Technical Services of the governorate of the Vatican City state, around 35 workers began work on the Nativity scene in St. Peter’s square in early November.
The work is expected to be finished on Dec. 24, in time for the official opening and blessing that evening. Pope Benedict XVI will participate in the unveiling ceremony from the window of the papal apartments.
Filipinos in Italy said they 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 ongoing construction of the Nativity scene and the Philippine contribution to it can be viewed on YouTube by accessing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGTSIREw1qs.
The tradition of displaying Nativity scenes at the Vatican started during the time of the late Pope John Paul II. It is considered one of the most viewed Nativity scenes in the world.
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