SEVERAL huge Christmas symbols lit up the Gaston Park in Cagayan de Oro City, filling the park with its Yuletide spirit as part of the City Government's Pasko de Oro Icons contest.
"It is a celebration of cooperation [and] unity among barangays. And we have challenged the barangays to come up with their versions of a Christmas icon," Patrick Gabutina, Pasko de Oro coordinator, said.
Thirty-five barangays from all over the city participated the competition, however, only 20 barangays were able to put up their Christmas icons at the Gaston Park during the first day of the judging last Monday, December 10.
According to Gabutina, there will be three judging days for the Pasko de Oro Icons. The first judging day started last Monday night; the second day on or before December 16; and the third day on or before December 29.
The Christmas icons will be displayed until January 5, 2019.
Gabutina said each of the barangays will receive a particular Christmas symbol to present through raffle.
"So they would make their own interpretation of the Christmas symbol. Aside from that, they would insert also their own identity as a barangay," Gabutina added.
The Pasko de Oro coordinator also mentioned that there will be two categories for the Pasko de Oro Icons contest. One is for the numbered barangays (Barangays 1 to 40) and the named barangays (Barangays Bayabas, Tablon, Gusa, and others).
The first prize winner for each of the categories will receive P250,000; the second placer will receive P150, 000; and the third will be given P100,000.
Gabutina added that all the participating barangays will receive P10,000 each.
A special award will also be given to the barangay using recycled materials for their Christmas icon.
"Not necessarily sya nga indigenous but recycled materials because we're promoting a cleaner Cagayan de Oro kay Solid Waste Management nato," Gabutina said.
Apart from the Christmas icons, a food bazaar will also be placed at the Gaston Park.
"We would also like the people of Cagayan de Oro and our visitors to support also our food carts. These are mga individuals that are being supported by the city," Gabutina said.
"This is not just a celebration of Christmas, this is a celebration of our humanity," he added.