Maliwanag Ang Pasko campaign goes techie, brings cheer

On its second year, Meralco’s Maliwanag Ang Pasko Christmas lighting campaign brings cheer to communities and bonding time for families by going techie and opening the contest to text votes.

“Maliwanag ang Pasko aims to enliven the age-old Filipino tradition of lighting up during Christmas, in preparation for and celebration of the birth of the one true light, Jesus Christ. The campaign embraces the theme of going back to the true meaning and essence of the season, which is giving and sharing,” says Melyn Derpo, Meralco marketing head.

Nine houses, nine streets and nine churches will be recognized for being the most creatively designed and brightly lit among the nominees. Each will be awarded P25,000. Residential winners will also be able to concretely share their blessings with the less fortunate because Meralco will match their cash prize and donate the amount to a charitable institution of the customer’s choice.

“To encourage the general public to view and visit the different sites together with their families, they will be given a chance to vote for their favorite entries. After all the candidates have been short-listed, their pictures will be uploaded and made available in the Maliwanag ang Pasko website by January 8, 2008. The public will then be allowed to vote for their favorite entries,” Derpo explains.

One text vote is equivalent to one raffle entry. Votes coming from unregistered participants will be counted. However, if the participant wants to join the promotion, the texter should register his/her name, age, gender and address once from Jan. 8 to 20, the voting period. Registration is free of charge.

The texter shall be charged P2.50 for Globe, Touch Mobile, Smart, Talk ‘N Text and Addict Mobile Subscribers and P2 for Sun Cellular subscribers. To earn an entry, the texter must text MAP VOTE <short listed entry code> to 231 for Smart, Talk ‘N Text, and Addict Mobile subscribers or 2331 for Globe, Touch Mobile, and Sun Cellular subscribers. To register, text in MAP REG <name/ age/ gender/ address> to 231 or 2331.

Five entries from among all registered text voters will be drawn on Jan. 21, 2008 at the ABS-CBN Interactive office. Winners will receive P5,000 cash each.

Meanwhile, final judging of Maliwanag ang Pasko entries will be held at the Meralco office on Jan. 22, 2008. Criteria for judging the final winners are as follows: brightness, 40 percent; uniqueness and creativity, 20 percent, text votes, 20 percent, relevance to the season, 10 percent, and adherence to safety standards, 10 percent.

Entries for the 2007 campaign were accepted until Dec. 28 and short-listed candidates maybe viewed on www.maliwanagangpasko.com starting Jan. 8, the day the contest is opened to text votes. 

The support of its customers for what is now an annual campaign seems to show how people have joined Meralco in recognizing the need for giving and bringing cheer to their fellow Filipinos in simple but meaningful ways.