Espeleta wins Skymark plane contest

Using mainly recycled materials like water bottles and caps, Mario K. Espeleta was able to create a replica of a Skymark airplane that won him first place in the Skymark’s Night plane contest as part of the Christmas in the Marianas celebration last Dec. 21 at the Paseo de Marianas in Garapan.

Espeleta, who is with Duty Free Shopping, said his daughter, grandson, and wife inspired him to join the contest. At first, he was hesitant to join as he had no time. However, at the prodding of his wife, grandson, and daughter, he managed to squeeze in the project in between 8pm and 2am, after he got off from work. Espeleta would take advantage of any free time he had, whether it was on his lunch break or off days. In all, he had only one week to come up with his winning creation.

Espeleta used recyclable items such as a Fanta bottle, Evian water bottle, and caps for infant food as wheels. The main highlight of his plane is a window that you could open. Inside the cabin, at one end, are about four or five flight attendants and two children that are seated; on the other end are three more flight attendants. There’s also a button you can press that will light up the inside. Another highlight was a light in the plane’s engines.

“I really didn’t know I won. I went back to work and I got a call from my friend saying that I won,” says Espeleta “I am so happy [because] it’s a dream come true for my grandson.”

Espeleta took home $500 for placing first. Vladimir S. Palma came second and took home $300. In third place was Kenjirho Matias, who pocketed $200.

Besides Espeleta, Palma, and Matias, over 19 other contestants participated in Skymark’s Night Plane contest. Yujeong Son came in fourth place, Jack Villagomez came in fifth place, Prashib Pandey placed sixth, Mercedes Cabrera placed seventh, Jeewoo Son placed eighth, Evan Cabrera placed ninth, Lars Wolf placed 10th, Conall Hartig placed 11th, the group of Dionne Torres, Aaron Diaz, Jeremiah Cruz, and Nathan Villagmoez placed 12th, Alana Lei Macaranas placed 13th, Mark Abugan placed 14th, Taiga Scoggins placed 15th, Kate Garcia placed 16th, and the group of Justin Celis, Dillian Cruz, and Toryanna Quitano placed 17th.

All participants who placed fourth to 17th took home an MVA gift bag.

The winners were announced last Dec. 21, 2019. The information on the prizes they won were released on Dec. 26, 2019.