TACLOBAN CITY – Fourteen giant Christmas lanterns are now on display at the Can-avid town’s Gpark as part of the municipality’s celebration of the Yuletide season.
The giant Christmas lanterns measuring to about 5 meters are made from recyclable materials in support of the solid waste management program of the local government.
Just like in previous years, the lanterns are made up of empty plastic bottles, plastic cups, and other recyclable materials.
These were painted with vibrant colors and decorated with colorful Christmas lights, Baste Pomarejos, the town cultural affairs coordinator, said.
Pomarejos added that some of the materials used to create the giant lanterns are materials used in last year’s competition.
Local artists and residents of the town were the ones who made the giant lanterns that are now displayed at GPark located along the national road to catch the attention and curiosity not only among residents but also motorists passing along the national highway of the town.
This is the 6th year of the town’s giant lantern festival which was started during the time of the late Mayor Gil Norman Germino.
Winners of the Giant Lantern Festival will receive P200,000 for first place, and P150,000 and P100,000 for second and third place respectively.
Non-winners will receive PhP10, 000.
The official switch-on of the giant Christmas Lantern was led by Mayor Vilma Germino as she was joined by municipal and barangay officials.
“We appreciate the officials from the different barangays in Can-avid for showcasing their talents, abilities, and supporting this annual activity in our beloved town. This event would not have been possible without your collective efforts,” Mayor Germino said during the switch-on ceremony of the giant Christmas Lantern held on Monday evening (Dec.18).
Mayor Germino also expresses her gratitude to 4Ps party-list representative Marcelino Libanan and Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone for sponsoring the cash prizes for the 1st and 2nd place winners.
The giant lantern will be judged twice before the announcement of winners this December 30.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
