Calapan City high school tops nat’l parol-making contest

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Education Secretary Sonny Angara award students from three of the country’s public high schools for bagging the top prizes in the third National Parol-Making Competition in a ceremony at Malacañang on Sunday, Dec. 1 (Photo from the Department of Education)

MANILA, Philippines — A Christmas lantern crafted by Oriental Mindoro students shined brightest and bagged top honors in a nationwide parol-making contest, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced on Tuesday.

The “Isang Bituin, Isang Mithiin” entry of the Pedro V. Panaligan Memorial National High School in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro won first place in the National Parol-Making Competition.

 Meanwhile, Panabo City National High School in Davao del Norte placed second and Roxas City School for Philippine Craftsmen in Capiz third.

 In its third year, the competition featured 148 Christmas lanterns made by the students of public secondary schools across the country, with the theme “Harmonies of Hope: Illuminating Filipino Resilience.”

The contest was a joint initiative of the DepEd, Malacañang Office of the Social Secretary and the Office of the President.

 Winners were awarded in a ceremony at the Malacañang’s tree lighting ceremony on Sunday.

“This competition brought DepEd’s communities together—students, teachers, and parents pitched in to showcase their creativity and talents,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said during the awarding ceremony. 

“Our learners are truly creative thinkers, able to adapt to a rapidly changing world with ingenuity and resourcefulness,” he added.

During the ceremony, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. called on Filipinos to celebrate Christmas while extending compassion to countrymen affected by recent calamities.

Over 1,000 students from the cities of Malabon, Mandaluyong, Pasay and San Juan were also treated to a full-length Filipino Christmas ballad presentation entitled “Puso ng Pasko” by the professional performing group Alice Reyes Dance Company.

Singer-songwriter Jose Mari Chan, musician Ryan Cayabyab, choreographer Alice Reyes and actress Carla Guevara-Laforteza likewise graced the ceremony with performances.