CEBU, Philippines - On its sixth consecutive year, The Freeman kicks-off with its "Light-a-Star" contest with more participants from schools all over Cebu.
Yesterday, representatives from 22 elementary schools showed their creative skills in making Christmas lanterns out of bamboo.
The Freeman General Manager Melandro Mendoza said every year becomes more exciting as more and more participants from private or public elementary schools as well as subscribers and non-subscribers of the newspaper participates.
"This (contest) is a way of giving back and in order for us to enhance their creativity, because students now are into electronics," he said, adding that the contest has been made annually since it is line with The Freeman's advocacy of instilling among students the importance of reading.
Yesterday, contestants from the elementary division were given four hours to complete their lanterns at The Freeman building while the on the spot lantern making for the high school division is scheduled today.
Raymundo Abapo, teacher master 1 of the Guadalupe Elementary School and the coach of Jhanna Mae Pacible, Ephraim Mahinay and Alexis Tan, said this is the third time they joined the "Light-a-Star" contest.
In 2011, he said they got the second place and in 2012, they got the third place.
Pacible, Mahinay and Tan said they felt happy and proud when they were picked by their coach as representatives for their school.
Grade 1 teacher Mariettes Jao of Agus Elementary School said they have been joining the contest for four years already and brought home the first place in 2010.
Leovegilda Layon Alquilos of Quiot Elementary School said it was the first time that they joined the contest. She said her husband, who is also an elementary teacher convinced her to join.
"This (lantern making contest) is nice. It can enhance the artistic side of the students," she said.
Voting for the best lanterns will start on Monday until Friday where voters also have a chance to win during the raffle draw.
The pre-judging of lanterns will be on November 26 where 10 lanterns will be selected to qualify for the finals.
"The judgment day will be on the first week of December wherein we will pick first, second and third place," Mendoza said. —/ATO (FREEMAN)