08 December 2016 — The Guam Filipino Artists, in cooperation with the Philippine Consulate General, organized this year's Parol (Lantern) Making Contestat the Agana Shopping Center on Decemebr 04. The submission of entries and judging for the 2016 edition of the contest was held at the said venue.

Consul Mark Francis C. Hamoy represented Consul General Marciano R. de Borja at the activity, which was attended by mall patrons, participants in the contest, Consulate General staff, and officers and members of the GFA and the Filipino Community of Guam (FCG).

The contest showcased how the traditional Christmas lantern, or parol, can be reinvented using non-traditional, recycled and repurposed materials. As part of the mechanics of the contest, the thirteen participants used such materials, including scrap paper and plastic, and indigenous materials such as dried leaves and branches, abaca, and tangan-tangan.

The board of judges included Consul Mark Francis C. Hamoy; Ms. Nita Baldovino, President of the Filipino Community of Guam; Ms. Chet Neri of the Filipino Ladies Association of Guam; Mr. Charles McJohn, Marketing Manager of Agana Shopping Center; and three members of the Guam Filipino Artists, namely, Messrs. Ariel Dimalanta, Edong Elenzano and Neil Catangay.

The winning lantern was a traditional star made of recycled indigenous materials with Belen in the middle. The winning entry was designed by Edwin Valencia, a tattoo artist, while the second prize was awarded to Romeo Raypuson for his intricate parol made of various recycled plastic products. The third prize went to Bernadette Llegabo, a college student at the University of Guam.

Cash prizes amounting to US$ 500 for first prize, US$300 for second prize and US$ 200 for third prize were donated by Mr. Emelio Uy, a Fil-Am businessman and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Filipino Community of Guam. He is also a patron of the arts in Guam. Additional US$ 100 was also given to the first prize winner courtesy of Ms. Nita Baldovino, President of the Filipino Community of Guam. END