"Panaghiusang Pagsaulog sa Pasko"

The Cebu City Marriot Hotel recently conducted its on-the-spot painting contest, an annual tradition of the hotel now on its 9th year, which aims to bring out the creativity and talent among the youth. The top three winning entries will also be used as the official postcards and Christmas cards of the hotel to be given out this Christmas season.

The participants consisted of 37 students aged 14 to 19 years old, from the metro's different schools including Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion, Saint Theresa's College, University of San Carlos North Campus, University of San Carlos South Campus, Cebu City National High School, University of the Philippines Cebu High School, University of the Philippines Cebu College and University of San Carlos Talamban Campus.

The contest's theme was "Panaghiusang Pagsaulog sa Pasko" with illustration board, watercolor paper, poster color, transparent watercolor, pastel chalk and acrylic paint as media.

The event started at 8:30 in the morning at the hotel's poolside last September 23 and ended with the awarding at 4:00 in the afternoon at the Sampaguita Room with Cebu City Marriot Hotel's General Manager Karl Hudson (who recently got hitched to Cebuana model Rose Amores and looking every inch a happily married man!), the very amiable Director of Sales Ann Olao and the hotel's very effecient and recently appointed PR Manager Joan Danao handing the awards and prizes to the lucky winners.

The grand prize went to Kian Erika Ylanan, 16 years old, a 4th year high school student of USC-BED (Basic Education Department) South Campus; second place went to Noel Lapasaran, 15 years old, a 4th year high school student of USC BED- North Campus and the third place went to Gabrielle Samantha Despi, 16 years old, 4th year high school student of Saint Theresa's College.

The board of judges was composed of artist par exellance Andrew Barba (who left two days after the event for a painting exhibit in the United States) ; top fashion designer Salvador Malto and this writer.

To all the winners and participants, congratulations! You all did a good job. Develop your God-given skills! To Cebu City Mariott Hotel, I doff my hat to you for a very laudable project!