Live scenes of the Nativity in Mandaue contest

THE first Christmas came to life in Mandaue City’s annual inter-school contest of stage tableaus of the birth of Jesus Christ on Friday night.

The dramatic reenactment based on accounts in the Bible is a way of paying homage to Jesus Christ and strengthening one’s faith, said the mayor’s wife, Sarah Walker-Cortes, who conceptualized the activity.

Students went on stage dressed up as the 3 Wise Men, Joseph and Mary in the City Hall grounds.

St. Anne Learning Center in Paknaan won first place in the private school category with a P30,000 prize.

Isah Dano, stage director of the 10-member cast and elementary teacher, said their teamwork and rehearsals for almost a month had paid off.

Other winners were University of the Visayas-Mandaue in second place, and Mandaue Ebenezer Alliance Academy in third place.

Criteria included, creativity (30 percent), performance (40 percent); costumes and props (15 percent) and audience impact (15 percent).

The judges included Frelyn Mabanag, city council secretary and Orlando Staneda-Diola, a retired bank officer, balikbayan, photographer and water colorist.

Another contest for six pubic schools was also held last night. /Mandaue News Service