Merriest Christmas ever

Last Sunday morning, 29 of 30 winners of the Christmas Contest we’ve run in this column for over 20 years came to receive cash and other prizes donated by friends, benefactors and sponsors at the Starbucks Molito in Alabang. It was the biggest contest ever in terms of cash raised (P200,000), number of winners, gifts distributed and entries which flooded every social media portal available and some hard-copy submissions even reached The Philippine Star office.

To make the contest not only exciting but also relevant, we asked for each entry to submit an essay appealing to FIBA to recognize Fil-foreigners, regardless of when they were issued their Filipino passports, as locals eligible to play for the Philippine national team for as long as they are able to authenticate their Filipino heritage.

Cash donations were given by the Philippine Olympic Committee (P50,000), Sen. Sonny Angara (P30,000), Atty. Tony Cablitas (P20,000), Jean Henri Lhuillier (P20,000), Cynthia Carrion (P20,000), Hermie Esguerra (P20,000), Anonymous (20,000), NorthPort (P15,000) and GAB chairman Abraham Mitra (P5,000). Chooks To Go gave chicken vouchers to each winner through Bounty Agro Ventures president Ronald Mascarinas and Bounty Sports head Mel Macasaquit. Chooks To Go also donated Gilas Pilipinas T-shirts.

Donations in kind were received from Sonak Corp. president Anil Buxani, tennis patron Rommie Chan, Ever Bilena CEO Dioceldo Sy, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, Alaska PBA governor Dickie Bachmann, San Miguel Corp. sports director Alfrancis Chua, San Miguel Beer PBA governor Robert Non, Meralco senior vice president Al Panlilio, Magnolia PBA team manager Alvin Patrimonio, San Miguel Corp. vice president Kin Lichauco, SBP executive director Sonny Barrios, Robinsons Retail Holdings president Robina Gokongwei-Pe, Rain Or Shine PBA governor Atty. Mamerto Mondragon, Columbian PBA governor Bobby Rosales, Danise Flores of Centaur Marketing, PLDT executive assistant to the chairman Abet Dungo, Peak CEO Michael Chenglay, NLEX PBA governor Rod Franco, Phoenix PBA governor Atty. Raymond Zorilla, ALA Boxing CEO Tony Aldeguer, NorthPort PBA governor Erick Arejola and Planet Sports president Anton Gonzalez.

First prize winner Arnold Liwanag, 40, of Block 17, Lot 14, Las Palmas Subdivision, Caypombo, Sta. Maria, Bulacan, received P51,000 cash, Robinsons gift certificates worth P3,000 and a PLDT power bank, San Miguel Corp. product pack, Alaska product pack, desk fan, cap, USB and shirt from Rain Or Shine, rechargeable lantern, big bag and electric kettle from Meralco, Magnolia product pack, Illy blend and water gear from NLEX, PLDT sports bag and jacket, ALA Boxing gloves, Red Bull shirt, Blackwater product pack, Vita Coco from Rommie Chan, Primera brandy and GSM Blue from Ginebra San Miguel, basketball and badminton set from Sonak and a personal blender and Hardcourt Annual from the PBA.

Liwanag sent only one entry. It was his third time to join a Philippine Star sports contest and second to win, the first was third place last year. He’s a production manager at Vibelle which manufactures Caronia nail polish and nail care products. His wife Marivic gave up a career in quality assurance in food manufacturing to become a full-time housewife caring for their three children, Amiel, 14, Althea, 13 and Adele Stella, 5. The Liwanags were classmates and thesis partners who both finished with a chemistry degree at PUP Sta. Mesa.

Liwanag was born and raised in Concepcion, Tarlac where he attended elementary and high school. He was the sports editor of his high school organ from second to fourth year. Liwanag has been a Ginebra diehard since 1986, influenced by his father who is a Jaworski follower. His favorite NBA teams are the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls and his favorite all-time NBA player is Michael Jordan.

Fourth prize winner Rey Paez, 21, came all the way from Alaminos, Pangasinan. He left home at 10 p.m. the night before to make it to Starbucks Molito at 10:30 the next morning for the awarding. Antonio Valenzuela, 55, won the 12th prize and said he also won in our contest in 2000. “I remember the items then were mostly NBA shirts and media guides but this year is the most memorable, loads of items and there was an essay-type question plus you could send an entry on-line unlike before,” said Valenzuela of Teachers Village, Quezon City. Joel Malabanan, 48, was the 13th prize winner and gave us several of his CDs. It turns out that Joel is a musician and composer aside from being a literature teacher at Philippine Normal University. One winner said he took a prize in one of our early contests, way back in 1994.

Of the 30 winners, only 22nd placer Valentino Pecaoco couldn’t make it last Sunday as he was in Davao and will claim his prize after the Christmas holidays.

It was wonderful to meet the winners and share stories over Starbucks treats. Many came with their families. The spirit of Christmas was evident as we awarded the prizes to smiling faces. There’s no better way to live the Christmas spirit than by sharing, expressing love and praising the Lord. Thanks to The Philippine Star management, our sponsors, The Philippine Star sports section, my wife Menchu, our secretary Grace Ocon, our drivers Roger Palbaquer and Florentino Aquiles and our readers for the support, loyalty and love. Merry Christmas to one and all!