The culmination of the 9-day lubénas or Kapampángan Christmas processions is the maitínis, and the maitínis of Mabalacat City is considered to be the most elaborate.
MAITÍNIS • (muhy-TEE-nis)
the Midnight Mass and traditional procession of lanterns and images of patron saints on Christmas Eve
Maitínis of Mabalacat City
The culmination of the 9-day lubenas or Kapampángan Christmas processions is the maitínis, and the maitínis of Mabalacat City is considered to be the most elaborate. It is marked with the spectacular procession of holy images: patrons of every barangay, accompanied by colorfully lit lanterns or parul. Barangays try to outdo each other in decorating the carrozas and in designing the electrified lanterns that are borne on bamboo poles.
Etymology
From Spanish Maitines “matins, the first of the canonical hours”. In the Philippine and Kapampángan context, this came to be identified with the Maitines of Christmas Day, such as the Midnight Mass and the traditional procession of patron saints