The FREEMAN's Light-A-Star Year 5

CEBU, Philippines - Last October 22 and 23, students from different schools in Cebu province came over to The FREEMAN's office to showcase their creativity in The FREEMAN's Light-A-Star Year 5, an on-the-spot Belen making contest.

Elementary school students came carrying with them different parts of the coconut palm like the leaves, the stalk, or even seedlings; while high school students came with their empty cans of milk, sardines, and drinks. Each team had a coach and three students aged 7 to 12 for elementary and 13 to 16 for high school.

Thirty three teams accepted the challenge.

The elementary schools who joined are Mandaue City Central Integrated SPED School, Pusok Elementary School, Don Vicente Rama Memorial Elementary School, Vicenta Manreal Elementary School, Buaya Elementary School, Banilad Elementary School, Subangdaku Elementary School, Tipolo Elementary School, San Nicolas Elementary School, Mactan Elementary School, Pilipog Elementary School, Zapatera Elementary School, Cabancalan II Elementary School, Guadalupe Elementary School, Agus Elementary School, Bankal Elementary School, and Argao Central School.

For the high school category, the schools who joined are Banilad Night High School, Mandaue City Central Integrated SPED School, Jugan National High School, Apas National High School, Mohon National High School, Marigondon National High School, St. Theresa's College-High School Department,  Look National High School, Southwestern University-South Campus, Maribago High School, Bankal National High School, Pajo National High School, Talisay City National High School, Mandaue City Compre-hensive National High School, Tungkil National High School, and Cansojong National High School,

Each team was given four hours to finish their Belen from scratch. Some came with saw and even compressors for painting. There was plenty of hammering as the students tried to straighten the tin cans or break the coconut shell into pieces.

Now, it's time to choose the best from all the wonderful and meaningful Belens created by students from Cebu's elementary and high schools, and The FREEMAN invites you, our most valued readers, to help us in making the choice.

By simply voting for your favorite Belen, get the chance to win overnight stays in some of Cebu's exclusive resorts and hotels, or a round trip ticket to Manila via Cebu Pacific Air. Other prices include a treat for four to one of Cebu's AAA resorts, Timex watches, and other wonderful treats and early Christmas gifts from The FREEMAN.

To vote, cut out the voting form printed at the back of The FREEMAN masthead. Fill it out and don't forget to vote for your favorite Belen by designating the category of the Belen that you are voting for (ES for elementary school or HS for high school) and the number that corresponds to the Belen of your choice, and then drop it at designated drop boxes, or at The FREEMAN office at the corner of V. Gullas and D. Jakosalem Sts., Cebu City.

Voting period is from October 26 until November 20.

This event is in partnership with The Philippine Star, BANAT News, Pilipino Star Ngayon, PangMasa, the Department of Tourism-Region 7, and Aboitiz Equity Ventures, and endorsed by the Department of Education in Region 7.

It is also supported by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI), SMART, Cebu Pacific, Cebu Parklane International Hotel, Plantation Bay Resort and Spa, Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa, Sarrosa International Hotel and Residential Suites, Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu, Ralfe Gourmet, SunSports, Twin Bee Print Ads, Ceramikhaus of Cebu, Timex, Gardenia, and OMF Literature.

ABS-CBN, 106.7 Home Radio, and 96.3 WRock are the official media partners of The FREEMAN's Light A Star, Year 5. (FREEMAN)