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Lantern-making contest launched
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Posted on Nov 20 2000
The cool morning breeze and the sound of holiday carols in our favorite radio station are telling us that Christmas is in the air.
The holiday spirit could be felt stronger with the window displays at numerous department stores around the island and the recently-installed lights along Beach Road.
To most Filipino homes, Christmas is best signified by the Parol, a lantern which symbolizes the star that led the Three Wise Men to a manger in Bethlehem where Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus Christ.
Filipinos, who celebrate the longest Christmas season in the world, bring their tradition to everywhere they go, making the Parol a significant symbol of Christmas in the CNMI. There is about 20,000 Filipinos on the islands now.
In its effort to relive the Philippine Christmas tradition and make thousands of countrymen here feel at home during the holidays, the Consulate recently launched a Parol-making contest which is anticipated to draw strong participation from Filipinos throughout the Northern Marianas.
Lanterns that will be submitted to the competition will be showcased in a public parade on December 10 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., according to Philippine Labor Attaché lawyer Araceli Maraya.
Ms. Maraya said the competition will be divided into two categories — individual and group — and that cash prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place winners. Winning entries will be donated to the sponsors while those that did not make it may be sold.
She said deadline for the submission of entries will be on Dec. 8, 2000 and that the entries will be judged according to originality, creativity, relevance, design and use of indigenous materials.
