United Filipino Organizations President Olive Yana said in the lantern making contest, there were 16 entries compared to five last year.
The turnout for Dec. 19 “Paskong Pinoy” was also bigger compared to last year, she added.
However, there was only one entry submitted for the Nativity contest and only two for the choral singing contest.
The first prize of $100 and an IT&E cell phone for the lantern making contest was won by Roselym Bastareche.
The entry of Saipan Building and Fixing Computer placed second and won $75 and an IT&E cell phone.
The $50 third prize went to Jun Concillado.
Yana said the 13 other entries got $20 each as a consolation prize.
The Saipan Community Church choir won the first prize of $100 while the Cornerstone Christian Church received the second prize of $75 in the choral singing contest.
The judges for the lantern contest were Welfare Officer Rey Tayag, Fr. Nonoy Ricaido and Roger Abe.
The judges for the choral contest were first lady Josie Fitial, Women’s Affairs Office Special Assistant Remy Buniag and Allen Mijares.
Yana said the winning entries for the lantern contest were donated to the Mt. Carmel Cathedral and to the Kristo Rai Parish Church.
This year’s event was sponsored by IT&E and the Tan Sui Lin Foundation.
Yana thanked the prize donors: Philippine Consul General Medardo Macaraeg, Labor Officer Joan Lourdes Lavilla, Consul Belinda Ante, the Kristo Rai Parish Church, Gary and Nora Opiano, Malou Mendoza and Pastor Gagaring.
Various talents and artists performed during the event, and they included Nikki Canape, the MCC Youth Choir, Allen Mijares, Uncle Ben’s Academy Stars, Tan Holding Group, Erica Fay Tuviera, Akiko Dela Cruz, the Project Impact Dancers, the Dela Cruz Sisters, Nikki Dela Cruz, Tanya Dela Cruz and the Spectrum Dancers.
It was the seventh Paskong Pinoy organized by UFO, Yana said, adding that next year’s event will have more fun and surprises.
On Jan. 1, she said UFO will be the main sponsor of the Mass at the Kristo Rai Parish Church at 6 p.m.
