Cabrera clan wins holiday lights, decorating contest

The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. resurrected a 20-year-old tradition by holding a Holiday Lights and Decorating Contest where residents from Saipan, Tinian, and Rota were encouraged to participate.

Kagman 3 residents J.J. and Betty Ann Cabrera yesterday were awarded first place in the 2017 CUC Holiday Lights and Decorating Contest at the CUC main office in Dandan.

Their concept of holiday lights and decoration impressed the judges the most who went all around the island last Dec. 19 to see all the participating residents.

According to Betty Ann Cabrera, putting up the lights is their family’s way of honoring God.

“This is our way to give thanks and honor to God. At the same time, we wanted to put smiles into people’s hearts and bring joy to people’s lives. That is all we are after,” she said.

The judging committee was composed of Marianas Visitors Authority executive director Chris Concepcion, first lady Diann Torres, Marianas Variety president Laila Boyer, Saipan Mayor’s Office special assistant Henry Hofschnieder, and Saipan Tribune reporter Bea Cabrera.

Concepcion said that the Cabrera residence had the most outstanding Christmas lights and decors.

“It was very difficult having to judge each of he houses as they were all decked out with lots of lights and were all beautiful. There were a few houses that stood out and all the judges agree that the Cabrera residence in Kagman was the most outstanding,” he said.

The participants were judged based on creativity, most lit and decorated, originality, best overall, and bonus points if the family Christmas tree is visible from the front of the house.

Second place went to Catherine Pangelinan and John Lisua of Mihaville in Garapan and third place went to Freddy and Dorina Salavaria of San Vicente.

Tinian winners are Agnes Borja (1st place), Joann Pangelinan (2nd place), and Jeffrey Barr (3rd place), while Rota winners are Rose de la Cruz (1st place), Laura and Vernon Manglona (2nd place), and Lea Maratita (3rd place).

CUC executive director Gary Camacho said they learned a lot holding this contest for the first time.

“A lot of the information that I got was from a conversation I had with the first lady because this activity was something that was contemplated in the past. We are happy to do this and we are in a way extend the spirit of Christmas,” he said.

“We would like to thank everyone who participated, many of you are really nice and some really had that wow factor. Thank you to all the CUC staff thank you for being involved and making this happen. Same with our staff on Tinian and Rota,” he added

Camacho said CUC is looking at opening the contest to commercial entities and adding categories next year.