Pupils display patience, artistry in TF's lantern making contest

CEBU, Philippines - Grade school students from 41 elementary schools throughout Cebu yesterday showed patience and craftsmanship for this year’s THE FREEMAN Newspaper Light a STAR on the spot lantern making contest. 

Artistry and zeal were portrayed by this year’s 120 elementary students, who used bits and pieces of seashells for their creations.

Each team, with three members, was given only four hours to make their lanterns at the MGB Hall of The FREEMAN building. 

Teacher Fidelis Flores of Argao Elementary School, whose team was a first-timer at the competition, was glad The FREEMAN has given her students a venue to showcase their talents.

With the contest’s demand for discipline and dedication, Flores said the experience will give her students a chance to grow as artists.   The three-member team had the support of their classmates who helped look for seashells to be used as raw materials for the lantern.

Last year’s defending champion, Agus Elementary School, presented a lantern with brightly painted shells and white sand.

Teacher Mariette Jao felt the pressure of having to defend their title considering there were so many other equally talented teams. 

Her team spent three days preparing their materials for yesterday’s event. Dubbed as the “star of the sea,” their work was indeed a picture of nature’s beauty.

Today, it will be the turn of the high school students to vie for the top prize in their category.

The public can vote for their favorite lantern starting November 25, 2011 (Friday) for the selection of Top 10 lanterns while final judging will be on December 2, 2011 (Friday). Winners will be announced five days later.

 Photos of all entries will be published so readers can pick their favorites. Winners from each category will receive P15,000 cash. The second and third placers will get P10,000 and P7,000, respectively.

The rest will receive P3,000, while a special prize of P2,000 will be given for the readers’ choice. Five finalists will also receive P1,500 each.  (FREEMAN)