Talisay, Barrio Luz schools top The Freeman lantern contest

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City National High School and the Barrio Luz Elementary School won the top prizes in the recently concluded Light-A-Star on the spot lantern making contest of The Freeman.

The two schools bested 45 other schools that joined the contest. The awarding was held at the event center of Parkmall in Mandaue City. Students from participating schools, their coaches, sponsors and representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry attended the event.

Talisay City National High School's winning entry for the high school division was made of tin and plastic bottle caps. The lantern had speakers that play Christmas songs and a manger that rotates. The school received P15,000.

Second place went to Lo-ok National High School with their huge lantern made out of plastic bottle caps, they received P10,000. The third place was awarded to Compostela National High School; they won P7,000 with their entry made out of cut tin cans.

Runners-up were Canduman National High School, Marigondon National High School, Apas National High School, Lawaan III National High School, Mandaue City Comprehensive, Pooc National High School and Southwestern University; they were awarded with certificates, cash prizes and gift packs.

Barrio Luz Elementary School, meanwhile, went home with P15,000 for topping the elementary division with their entry that was made out of the parts of the "buli" tree. Second place went to Vicenta Manreal Elementary School with their entry made of dried plants and flowers.  Third place went to Banilad Elementary School with their lantern made out of corn husks.

The runners-up in the elementary division were Paknaan Elementary School, Tejero Elementary School, Mandaue City Central Integrated Sped, Naga Central Elementary School and Tabok Elementary School.

The Readers' Choice Award for the elementary division went to Paknaan Elementary School, while Marigondon National High School got the award in the high school division. Both awardees were given P2,000 each plus certificates. The Readers' Choice awards were given to lanterns that earned the highest number of votes from The Freeman readers.

The readers of The Freeman who voted for their favorite lantern also won prizes through a raffle draw held during the awarding ceremonies. The prizes were a 10-inch tablet from CD-R King, Cebu Pacific round trip tickets to Manila, overnight stay at Tune Hotel, SM Gift Certificates, Jollibee Gift Certificates and Pacific Cebu Resort hotel stay. (FREEMAN)