RUEL Nava received $300 for winning this year’s “Paskong Pinoy” on-the-spot “parol” or Christmas lantern-making contest on Sunday.
Nava, a supervisor at Joeten Ace Hardware in Gualo Rai, said he used recyclable materials in creating his Christmas lantern.
Nava also won the competition in 2007, 2009 and 2015.
“I’m lucky I won first place every time I joined the contest,” Nava said.
Domingo Santos finished second and received $200 while Janrey Pabilando took home the $100 third prize.
Other winners
Carla Cruz was the raffle winner of a 43” smart TV while George Medina and Aris Soyer each won a round-trip ticket to the Philippines.
The top three groups in the kids dance contest were Uplifted Crew, first place; Amazing Kids, second; and Corner Stone, third.
Adrian was the top winner in the drawing contest, Franzia was second while Joyce, Sophia, Angelica, Izaak and Jainy received consolation prizes.
Birhen K. Martinez, the incoming United Filipino Organization president, said: “We did not list the last names of the children. We just made them write their first names on their drawings. For the group dance contests, we only listed the dance group names, not the individual names of the dancers.”
Martinez added, “We would like to thank the judges for the dance and drawing contests: Abby Whang, Daisy Sablan and RV Caberos.”
For the Christmas lantern-making contest the judges were Ernie Molina, Lito Dizon and Loren Tan, Martinez said.
Signature event
Paskong Pinoy or Filipino Christmas is a signature event of the United Filipino Organization held at Marianas Business Plaza
This year, IT&E, RNV Construction, and Supertech Foundation were the main sponsors.
The other sponsors included Marianas Business Plaza, Coca Cola Beverage Co. (Micronesia) Inc., Marianas Pacific Distributors Inc., SM Shine Marianas, the Office of U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, the Office of Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, Best Deals, the Marianas Association of Filipino Engineers and Architects, Saipan Infinity Lions Club, Emon Masonic Lodge No. 179, V&P Marianas Busbosi, and EFG Pacific Holdings.
UFO President Marcelo “Mar” Masilungan expressed his appreciation to this year’s sponsors and contest participants.
“Paskong Pinoy is a celebration to bring the spirit of Christmas to community members,” Masilungan said in his remarks.
“I believe that giving and not receiving is the true spirit of Christmas. It’s also about being good to each other, helping those who are in need with all our heart, forgiving those who have offended us, and not forgetting our friends,” he said.
The best Christmas gift this season is an “answered prayer,” Masilungan added.
“If you are by yourself here on Saipan, and your family is back in the Philippines, this is the UFO way of bringing the Christmas spirit to all of you,” Masilungan said.
Ruel Nava, 1st place, on-the-spot Christmas lantern-making contest.
Domingo Santos, 2nd place, on-the-spot Christmas lantern-making contest.
Janrey Pabilando 3rd place, on-the-spot Christmas lantern-making contest.
The adult group dance winners with United Filipino Organization members.
The Amazing Kids dance group with competition judge Daisy Sablan.
The Corner Stone group with competition judge Abby Whang.
An Uplifted Crew member with United Filipino Organization President Marcelo Masilungan.
The drawing contest winners and participants with competition judges Abby Whang and Daisy Sablan, and United Filipino Organization President Marcelo Masilungan.
