VICTORIAS Milling Company held a Light of Hope Parol Making Contest in Manapla on December 14 with 12 contestants joining, representing the 12 barangays of the said town.
The contest was held at St. Michael the Archangel Quasi Parish in Barangay Purisima, the former site of VMC when it first operated in the southern part of the Province of Negros Occidental.
The contestants were encouraged to use recyclable materials and with the use of original designs.
The participants were judged according to the concept and creativity, lighting, originality and relevance to the theme.
The winners of the parol making contest were Kenny Gallo of Barangay 1 who landed as the champion and received P50,000 cash prize.
Followed by the entry of Kagawad Jerald Lozada of Barangay 1-B as first-placer with P30,000 cash prize.
The second place went to Kagawad Joy Gasendo of Barangay 2-A who received P10,000 cash prize.
There were five participants who received P5,000 each as consolation prize.
Parol-making is part of the Filipino tradition during the Yuletide season where artists and enthusiasts make their own Christmas lanterns showcasing their designs with the use of bamboo strips, Japanese paper, and brightened by Christmas lights.
Churches, commercial establishments, private homes, public buildings, and other places usually hang Christmas lanterns and decors to highlight the colorful facet of the Christmas season.
Lozada, the first-placer in the contest, said they made use of their artistic design with the use of simple materials. The beauty of the parol can be enjoyed even from its natural tone and when it glows with the use of the lights.
"We are happy that we were able to share our artistry and at the same time participate in the contest. I put the images of the front liners with the silhouette of Jesus at the center. This highlights the idea that with the presence of Jesus in every circumstance, there is a light of hope. The parol making event adds joyful meaning to the Christmas season," he said.