In a ceremony last Saturday, top officers of Unilever headed by managing director Aileen Mendoza handed over to Naawan Mayor Dennis Roa, the symbolic P1 million endowment, a P200,000 check and trophy for the national grand award amid the cheers of thousands of Naawanons.
The winning entry, dubbed "Friendship Arc," bested some 109 entries from different municipalities and cities across the country. It was conceptualized by the mayor and his consultant, Bai Manginsay, and built by the different non-government organizations, municipal personnel and barangay folks through the Association of Barangay Council (ABC) and religious organizations.
"All members of the community helped in the gathering of indigenous materials, building the Friendship Arc, which is the real Filipino bayanihan spirit," Roa said.
He disclosed that the budget for the construction was a small amount because the materials used were indigenous like coco lumber, bamboo, rattan, native Romblon mat, abaca ropes and others, except of course for the lights and electrical components.
The centerpiece of the 10-meter-high arc is the bridge at the topmost level which symbolizes connecting people.
But what apparently captured the attention of the judges of the contest was the horde of "ants," crawling up the tree trunk and branches to get to a jar of Lady’s Choice, symbolizing the preference of majority of Filipino consumers, Roa said.
The "ants" were made of eggshells dyed with red and with small blinking bulbs inside.
Roa said that he knew right from the start that his townmates and constituents will help build the arc.
"The bayanihan spirit is alive in this town!" he said.
Naawan, which has a population of 17,000, dislodged Tangub City, a perennial winner in same contest. Roa said this should make Naawanons proud of themselves and their town.
The P1-million endowment fund will be used for the creativity center while the P200,000 will be for the livelihood assistance for cooperatives. Part of it will also be used to defray expenses for the concert of popular artists and entertainers.