City says mural celebrated SJDM's record-breaking nativity scene in 2019

The mural at the convention center of San Jose Del Monte City was an artists depiction of the nativity scene which landed the city in the Guiness Book of World Records last year.

The city's Public Information Office released the statement after Mayor Arthur Robes and his wife Bulacan Representative Florida Robes were criticized online for the mural that bore their likenesses.

"The event represented a major milestone for San Jose Del Monte City because it gave international recognition to the hard work and commitment to the faith of San Joseños with the leadership Rep. Rida and Mayor Arthur," the statement read.

The mayor and the congresswoman have drawn criticisms online over the mural at city's convention center with netizens pointing out that they were featured more prominently than the Nativity Scene and other religious images.

The photo was shared by 2,100 times on Facebook as of 4:07 pm on Tuesday before it was deleted around 4:20 pm of the same day.

In replying to one of the critics on Facebook, the San Jose del Monte City’s Public Information Office said that the entire mural featured all the people who helped in the construction of the convention center which was inaugurated on Tuesday.

“Ang mga mural painting ay pagpapakita ng mga opisyales na mga nakatulong sa pagbuo ng Convention Center. Nandyan po si Senator Nancy Binay and DPWH  Secretary Mark Villar,” the city’s PIO said.

The city in December last year broke the Guinness World Record for the most living figures in a nativity scene.

Previously held by the United Kingdom with 1,100 participants, residents of San Jose Del Monte snatched the record with 2,100 participants.

"I don't think there is any doubt, you have broken the record, and this is a new Guinness world's record title," a Guinness World Record adjudicator said. -NB, GMA News