21 December 2015 – The 2nd Annual Parol Festival in Turkey under the theme “Ngayong Pasko, Nangniningning Tayo!” (This Christmas, We Sparkle!) was highlighted by the Announcement of the Winners for the Parol-Making Contest, the Parol Parade and Lighting Ceremony on December 13 and attended by more than 150 members of the Filipino Community and guests.
The event began with the Christmas ‘salo-salo’ where various Philippine dishes were served at the Mabini Hall of the Chancery.
In the afternoon, a total of 21 parol entries were scutinized by the judges for this year’s Parol-Making Contest namely, Dr. Hϋmeyra Canan Koru, President of the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs Spouses Solidarity Association (DMEDD) and wife of Deputy Minister Naci Koru of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ms. Inci Armağan Ersoy, Deputy Director General for the Deputy Directorate General for Southeast Asia and Pacific of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Chatchawan Sakornsin, Chargé d’ Affaires of the Royal Thai Embassy; Prof. Dr. Selcuk Colakoğlu, Deputy Chairman of the International Strategic Research Organization (USAK); Mrs. Anita Malhotra, Spouse of UNDP Resident Representative Mr. Kamal Malhotra; and Rev. Fr. Jean Marc Balhan S.J. of Meryem Ana Parish, Ankara.
Also present during the occasion were retired Turkish Ambassador Sule Soysal, Mr. Hakan Kivanç, Deputy Director General of the Deputy Directorate General for East Asia of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who came with his entire family, Mr. Alamsyah, Counsellor of the Embassy of Indonesia, Mr. Anthony Tobias Blenke, Attaché of the Embassy of the United States, DMEDD’s Officers Ms. Emine Yϋksel, Nurtop Yardim and Gϋlhan Corman who came with Dr. Koru, and Ms. Derya Agis of the Diplomatic Observer magazine.
The parol entries which were all displayed at the Rizal Garden, and were judged according to the following criteria: (a) Relevance to the theme; (b) Creativity, uniqueness and/or originality; (c) Types of recycled materials used; and (d) Neatness of the Parol and craftsmanship. During the judging, one representative each of the parol entry teams were requested to answer judges’ queries about the parol they made.
Philippine Ambassador to Turkey Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez welcomed everyone to the events, emphasizing the message of Love, Hope and Peace as symbolized by the Parol and God’s love for humankind. She also lauded the contestants for their creativity and pride as Filipinos living and working in Turkey, evidenced by the presence of many Turkish employers.
The audience were excited as Minister and Consul General Robert Ferrer announced the results of this year’s parol contest: first prize went to parol entry no. 8, a star-shaped parol made of soda cans, egg cartons, old colored magazines which were rolled up to form the map of the Philippines from one side and Turkey’s flag on the other. It was made by Kristine Requino, Reysa Marie Bote and Rosel Habla. The second prize went to parol entry no. 20, a star-shaped parol made of old boxes adorned with seashells, spoons, and pine cones. It was made by the Ms. Cristeta Lima, Dianne Chris Lima and Belen Quemada. The third prize went to parol entry no. 4. A star-shaped parol made of dried leaves brushed with gold paint, and designed with seashells, in the middle of the parol was a manger where egg shells were used as heads of the Holy Family. It was made by Mr. Elian Escal, Ms. Anita Escal and Ms. Irene Gatcheco.
The three top parols were awarded with cash prizes of 750 Turkish liras, 500 Turkish liras and 250 Turkish liras respectively, in addition to other prizes. A special prize was given to parol no. 18, a star-shaped parol made of soda cans, plastic caps and bottles of softdrinks, as the first parol submitted for the contest. It was submitted by Rona Jane Savedra, Dolly Panganiban and Leizl Gallon. All non-winning entries were given gift bags and flash drives as consolation prizes.
Following the parol contest, everybody gathered at the Embassy driveway for the parol parade along Kumkapi Sokak (street) where the Embassy is located. During the parade, famous Filipino Christmas carols such as “Ang Pasko ay Sumapit”, “Pasko Na Naman”, “Thank you (Ang Babait Ninyo)” were sang by the community. Towards the end of the parade and during the re-assembly at the Rizal Garden in preparation of the Parol Lighting, Mrs. Judylyn Ferrer led the singing of the song “Let there be Peace on Earth” with the leaders and members of the community, followed by the much-anticipated countdown where all the parols displayed in the Rizal garden and lights installed on the facade of the Chancery were simultaneously lit up to the tune of the song “Kumukutikutitap” composed by Ryan Cayabyab and popularized by Ms. Joey Albert and The Company. After the lighting, the community and guests were served with light refreshments at the Mabini Hall. END