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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH-inspired Nativity scene featured in Vatican exhibit

PH-inspired Nativity scene featured in Vatican exhibit

Published Dec 17, 2023 12:57 pm

A Nativity Scene that portrays a typical Filipino family is featured in the ‘100 cribs’ exhibition currently being held under the left colonnade of St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican.

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Philippine-inspired Nativity Scene featured in Vatican exhibit (Photo courtesy of CBCP)

Created by Br. Christoffer Denzell Aquino, his masterpiece titled “Pamilyang Pinagpala,” was crafted from materials sourced in Naples “but given the Filipino treatment,” said a CBCP News post.

According to Aquino, who is a seminarian of the Congregation of the Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate, his creation portrays the Holy Family as a typical Filipino family in a rural setting. 

The focus of his work, Aquino said  “is St. Joseph serenading his wife and son with the guitar after a day’s work. “The family celebrates the gift of life in the person of the Child Jesus,” he said. 

The work also includes angels celebrating the Birth of Christ, while the opening notations of “Missa de Angelis” Gloria are flashed in the banner above the celestial choir.

“I tried my best to inculturate and translate the concept and the dynamics of the famed Presepe Napoletano into Filipino,” said Aquino, who is studying at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome. 

“It is practically a celebration on heaven and earth for the humble coming of the almighty Emmanuel, God who chose to be like us so that we may become like Him,” he added.

Aquino’s work represents the Philippine Embassy to the Holy See in the “100 Nativity Scenes in the Vatican,” a cultural initiative by the Dicastery for Evangelization for the “Jubilee is Culture” series, in preparation for the Jubilee 2025. 

 In 2013, the Philippine Embassy showcased artist Albert Dancel’s work in the 100 Presepi exhibit when the event was still held at Piazza del Popolo.

For the sixth year, the exhibit, which features different interpretations of the Nativity Scene by artists from around 22 countries, was inaugurated on Dec. 8. It is open to the public until Jan. 7, 2024. 

This year’s exhibit coincides with the 800th anniversary of the Greccio Crib, the first known depiction of the Nativity Scene, which was created by St. Francis at Christmas in 1223.

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