MANILA, Philippines - Payless continues to spread holiday cheers through creativity, camaraderie and fun with the Payless Christmaskwela. Inspired by their fondness for the instant noodle brand and their creative flair, students from various schools showcased their talent and ingenuity through the Giant Parol Making Contest and the Winner ang Batang Payless Talent Contest.
The colorful and imaginative creations of 17 grand finalists of the parol-making contest from North Luzon brightened up everyone’s Christmas spirit during the grand finals held at SM Baguio. Each lantern was made using Payless Instant Mami wrappers and other indigenous materials. Taking home the grand prize of P100,000 worth of school development project was Pozzorubio Central School of Pangasinan. Cordon South Central School of Isabela was second place and Pampanga’s Fausto Gonzales Sioco Memorial School placed third, receiving P60,000 and P40,000 worth of development projects for their schools, respectively.
Now on its seventh year, the Giant Parol-Making Contest was implemented in 21 areas in North Luzon and Visayas. During the finals of the Batang Payless Talent Contest, students between four and 12 years old stole the limelight with their skills in singing, dancing and other talents. Dave Edrian Samonte of Pampanga’s Valle Cruz Elementary School was declared the grand champion and received P20,000 in cash. In second place was Elaisha Jade Mateo of Pangasinan’s Urdaneta 1 Central School, who took home P10,000, while Dionise May Abarabar of Isabela’s Cauayan North Central School was declared third place and home P5,000.
Aside from games, raffles,and fun on-stage activities, students, teachers, parents, and their families were entertained by performances from Matteo Guidicelli, Baguio’s Sweetheart Nicole Morgan and the Peechan Cultural Group.