WHY CHRISTMAS IN PAMPANGA IS UNIQUE Reason # 1: LUBENAS, the lantern procession held for nine consecutive nights (novena, corrupted to lubenas) starting Dec. 16. It culminates on Dec. 24, when the lantern processions from different barrios assemble in front of the parish church--truly a sight to behold--in which case it is called maitinis (from matins, early-morning prayers). Lubenas can be found only in two provinces--Pampanga and Tarlac--and not all towns have it. According to historian Mariano Henson, Kapampangans were already holding lubenas in the 1800s or even earlier. A lubenas is composed of six pairs of lighted lanterns mounted on bamboo poles, accompanying the image of the patron saint. A choir singing Dios te salve (Hail Mary in Spanish) follows the image. The best-attended and most elaborate lubenas can be found in two cities, Mabalacat and Angeles.
Posted on: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 09:22:38 +0000