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Magalang, Pampanga
Lubenas Ning Pasku
Keeping Christmas Light Alive in Pampanga
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- Magalang, Pampanga
Lubenas in Magalang, Pampanga is a deeply rooted Christmas tradition where faith, light, and community come together during the days leading up to Christmas. Each night, residents walk in prayer toward the church, some even barefoot as a personal act of devotion, carrying handmade lanterns shaped like stars, crosses, and fish. More than 400 of these lanterns—now created by younger generations trained in the craft by local artisans—fill the town with light, showing how the tradition continues to be passed on. While Magalang is particularly known for its vibrant Lubenas, other municipalities across Pampanga also celebrate with their own processions, each adding unique local touches that reflect the province’s rich cultural heritage. In Magalang, the procession ends at the town plaza around a lighted Christmas tree, followed by simple presentations that bring the community together, making Lubenas a meaningful expression of devotion, heritage, and shared celebration.
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In Pampanga, Christmas does not arrive with loud countdowns or crowded malls. It begins quietly, guided by lantern light, evening prayers, and the steady rhythm of footsteps along village roads. This tradition is called Lubenas, a Kapampangan Christmas practice that continues to thrive in the town of Magalang, where faith, craftsmanship, and community remain deeply intertwined.
Lubenas is more than a procession of lights. It is a shared journey of devotion—one that has been passed down, protected, and now renewed by both elders and the younger generation who have taken part in keeping the tradition alive.
Check out the video for more highlights. See what I’ve captured through my lens with Point of View (POV) photography. Using a body cam, I’ll take you on an interactive tour, showing you behind-the-scenes moments of capturing the shots shared here.
Check out the video below for additional features. Explore what I’ve captured through my lens in this cinematic slideshow.
Understanding the Meaning of Lubenas
Lubenas is believed to have originated from the word novena, referring to the nine days of prayer before Christmas. From December 16 to 24, families, neighbors, and parishioners take part in nightly processions toward the church in preparation for Simbang Bengi, the traditional dawn Mass.
During these processions, participants carry handmade lanterns and sing hymns and prayers along the way. For some devotees, the act of walking barefoot is part of a personal vow or panata, a quiet expression of humility and sacrifice. There is no emphasis placed on it, yet it remains a deeply respected aspect of the devotion.
Magalang’s Role in Preserving the Tradition
While Lubenas is practiced in various parts of Pampanga, Magalang stands out for how intentionally the tradition has been preserved and strengthened. What could have faded over time has instead been revived through strong community involvement and shared responsibility.
The town’s annual celebration, “Ing Banal a Batuin ning Magalang: Lubenas Ning Pasku,” brings together all 26 barangays in a collective expression of faith and creativity. Weeks before December, communities prepare lanterns and organize processions, ensuring that Lubenas is not treated as a single event but as a meaningful season-long practice.
Lanterns as Symbols of Faith, Craft, and Continuity
At the heart of Lubenas are the lanterns, each one carrying both symbolism and skill. A cross-shaped lantern often leads the procession, followed by stars and other religious forms that recall the Christmas story and core Christian beliefs. Fish-shaped lanterns, an early Christian symbol, are also commonly seen.
In Magalang, more than 400 bright Christmas lanterns illuminate the streets and public spaces during Lubenas. These lanterns—crafted in the shapes of stars, crosses, and fish—are known for their intricate embellishments, detailed patterns, and vibrant colors.
Traditionally made with bamboo frames and colored paper, the lanterns were once lit by candles or carbide lamps. Today, electric lighting is used, but the handmade process remains central. Notably, many of the lanterns are now created by younger generations in Magalang, who have been trained by experienced artisans. Through hands-on teaching and shared work, lantern-making has become both a craft and a form of devotion passed on to the youth.
Decline, Revival, and Community Commitment
Like many long-standing traditions, Lubenas experienced periods of decline. Natural disasters, modernization, and later the pandemic disrupted participation, placing the practice at risk of fading away.
Magalang’s revival of Lubenas came through deliberate and collective effort. Local leaders, artisans, parish groups, and residents worked together to restore the tradition, not as a commercial attraction but as a meaningful religious and cultural expression. This renewed commitment eventually earned recognition, positioning Magalang as an example of heritage preservation in Pampanga.
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How Lubenas Is Observed Today
Preparation for Lubenas begins weeks before December, as barangays design and build their lanterns, often working late into the night. From December 16 onward, nightly processions take place, drawing families, elders, and children to walk together toward the church.
Some participants carry lanterns, others walk in prayerful silence, and some choose to go barefoot as part of a personal devotion. The steady repetition of these nights builds toward Christmas, reinforcing a shared sense of purpose and faith across the town.
Ending the Nights in the Town Plaza
When the processions conclude, participants and spectators gather at the town plaza, where the journey ends beneath a lighted Christmas tree that serves as the focal point of Magalang’s holiday celebrations. Here, the atmosphere shifts from quiet reflection to shared celebration, without losing its sense of meaning.
The plaza becomes a space for presentations and performances, adding depth to the celebration. Among the most notable are concerts by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, whose performances have become a highlight of Magalang’s Lubenas season. Other guest performers and cultural groups also take part, offering music and presentations that complement the spiritual tone of the tradition.
A Tradition Carried Forward by Light and Generations
In Magalang, Lubenas is not staged—it is practiced. It lives through handmade lanterns, barefoot steps, shared prayers, and the careful training of younger generations who now shape and carry the tradition forward.
As long as lanterns continue to be crafted, processions continue to walk toward the lighted plaza, and communities choose to gather in faith and unity, Lubenas will remain a living part of Pampanga’s Christmas story.
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