Filipino Nativity

Our first Christmas in the Philippines, which we thought would be our only, we stumbled across this great nativity. We loved it mostly because it had a Lechon (pig on a spit) which is totally Filipino. The characters were also wearing traditional Filipino costume and one man was carrying a rooster. It was very much Filipino and we loved that. It was huge though and super expensive so we couldn't justify the purchase. Every year after that around Christmas time we would bring up the nativity and contemplate purchasing it with the possibility of it being our last Christmas in the Philippines. Each year we couldn't bring ourselves to justify the cost of the purchase and so we just coveted it from a distance.
Ryan's very last trip to the Philippines was a few weeks ago and he mentioned that maybe we could get that nativitiy with the Lechon. This time it wasn't just the cost on my mind but the problem of getting it home. They recently went and slashed luggage allowance and we knew with excess things he had picked up for friends of ours we were already well over the allowance. Ryan decided to go to the store and see what good fortune his negotiating skills could provide for us. I have to admit he did all right. I think the amount that he saved was the amount it cost us to get our excess luggage home which every peso saved helps.
Sadly a few pieces didn't make it home as in tact as we'd hoped. The angels wings busted off, the pig on the spit was broken into at least 3 pieces and the caribow's horns were no longer sharp BUT with Ryan's amazing hands he glued it all perfectly and we got some good touch up paint and now it's like new.
It's huge, it's busy with colours and animals but it's Filipino and wouldn't be Filipino any other way. The different styles of clothing worn are beautiful and a part of their history. The pig, the man cuddling his rooster, the ducks and caribow are something we saw everyday and wouldn't ever think twice about seeing. It has been the last 5 amazing years of our lives and the memories and warm fuzzies it brings me every time I look at it were worth the money spent. It sits on reeds in the corner next to some sands from the Phiippine waters and our Philippines outdoor broom next to the fireplace. We are SO proudly Filipino/Canadian!