Bohol holds 'pastores' contests to preserve tradition

By Leo Udtohan 

TAGBILARAN CITY- Bright and colorful lights filled the provincial Capitol of Bohol grounds and CPG Park on Wednesday night, Dec. 7 to the delight of the hundreds who were present to mark the official start of the Christmas celebration here.

Gov. Aris Aumentado led the countdown which was crowded by employees, officials and residents to witness the official lighting of the Capitol's giant belen (nativity scene) and other Christmas decorations.

He said this year's Christmas celebration, people can sense a feeling of peace, joy, love and goodwill after the pandemic halted the celebration for two years.

"In our busy lives, we should remember the birth of Jesus Christ. He is the reason to be thankful and to celebrate," he said.

He also encouraged his constituents to spread the spirit of joy in their homes and the community and to see the celebration as an opportunity to rekindle acts of love and kindness to one another.

"The life of Jesus Christ is a source of inspiration to all of us to lead a life of virtue and faith," he said.

Also present during the event were Vice Gov. Victor Balite, Mayors Jane Yap, Tata Palacio, Lahar Ayuban and Jed Piollo.

Deputy chief of staff Kit Oppus, former Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Assistant Secretary and now provincial administrator Aster Caberte, Center for Culture and Arts Development (CCAD) head  Filipina Asoy-Piollo and Goldie Herrera also attended the event.

Known as "Kasadya 2022" the event also coincided with the "Pastores" contest which aimed to revive and preserve the tradition.

The pastores (Shepherds) is a musical re-enactment of the age-old story of Nativity where the performers are wearing colorful costumes and props.

The tradition was introduced by Spanish priests in the late-1800s. It spread across the region that it became part of the Yuletide celebration in Bohol province although there are variations in different towns.

Prof. Marianito Luspo, a local historian, said that the tradition faces the threat of discontinuity in the province.

Somehow the tradition lost its luster from a lack of interest from the youth to the influences of modern music and the lack of interest by the locals due to the intricacies in performing it.

Aumentado said the provincial government decided to hold the contest in order to  preserve this intangible cultural heritage.

For this year's tilt, the municipality of Corella won the first place with P150, 000 cash prize for their traditional dramatic representation of the shepherds’ adoration of singing and dancing. It also won the Best in Heritage Content and Best in Production Design awards.

Lila town named second placer with P1000,000 cash prize, while Loay town was third placer with P75,000 cash prize.

Meanwhile, Jagna town won the Best in Instrumentation.

Contingents from Tagbilaran City and municipalities of Bilar, Tubigon, Guindulman and Jagna received P30, 000 each as a consolation prize.

Jun Camacho, trainor and coach of Corella team, said the pastores contest allowed the people, especially the youth to embrace the Filipino culture.

"I'm very thankful to the provincial government of Bohol for having this kind of activity which is helpful to our youth for them to feel the Filipino culture," said Camacho, a cultural worker and choreographer.

The Corella team was composed of 30 performers from Corella National High School.

Camacho said at first it was difficult to introduce pastores to the youth because of "generation gap".

"The youth were exposed to hiphop but through practices they've learned to appreciate it. It is a must to continue holding pastores for the revitalization of our rich culture," he said.

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Photo caption:

The pastores (shepherds) contest is one of  the highlights during the lighting ceremony of the provincial Capitol of Bohol on Wednesday night, Dec. 7, 2022. Pastores depicts the shepherds’ jubilation on the birth of Jesus.  Leo Udtohan