Las Piñas City Inaugurates Sipag Center and Celebrates 7th Parol Festival
Inauguration of the past controversial C5 properties that was filed against Sen. Manny Villar , which was being lifted and considered not valid was being used for the common good of his constituents.
Recycled and indigenous materials used to reflect Christmas spirit
Las Piñas once again proved that it is ‘the lantern capital of Metro Manila’ as residents of its barangays showed their ingenuity in creating the best Christmas parols (lanterns) using recycled and indigenous materials at the 7th Parol Festival’s lantern-making competition.
“We are pleased that the Parol Festival is becoming popular not only here in Metro Manila but in other parts of the country as well. I always promote the festival when I attend festivals in other provinces. This is a big boost to our three-generation parol-making industry,” said Cynthia Villar, Managing Director of the Villar Foundation, which is in charge of the yearly festival.
The festival is the brainchild of the Former Congresswoman of Las Piñas. In 2007, she encouraged the city’s magpaparols (lantern-makers) to organize themselves into the ‘Samahang Magpaparol ng Las Piñas’. And to support them, the then Congresswoman Villar set up the Las Piñas Parol Center, which serves as a training area for the lantern-makers.
“We want this unique tradition of parol-making to be continued carried on by the younger generations, so we support the industry as much as we can,” said Mrs. Villar.
This year, the Parol Festival will be held at its new venue—the Villar Social Institute of Poverty Alleviation & Governance (SIPAG) along C-5 Extension in Pulang Lupa Uno. In the last six years, it was held at the St. Joseph Bamboo Organ Church.
Meanwhile, the younger Villar—Las Piñas Representative Mark Villar—is pleased with the entries in this year’s parol-making competition. “The residents of our barangays are really looking forward to the contest and eagerly participate every year. The entries are becoming more and more artistic and creative, reflecting Las Piñeros’ skills and craftsmanship in making traditional lanterns,” he cited.
The lantern-making competition also highlights environmental protection as participants can only use recycled materials such as shampoo sachets/bottles, cans, bottles, tetra packs, newspapers etc. and natural or indigenous materials such as coconut huks, dried leaves, feathers, shells etc. The frame of the lantern should be made of bamboo.
Entries will be judged according to ingenuity and resourcefulness, 30%; creativity, 25%; impact, 30% and technical skills, 15%. The grand prize winner will get P45,000 and the three runners-up will get P20,000; P15,000; and P10,000 respectively. Consolation prizes of P2,000 will be given to all participants. The Villar Foundation extended a P1,000 cash subsidy to all those who fielded entries in the contests.
A Filipino custom lunch served together with the celebration of Sen. Villar’s Birthday with his constituents at the Sipag Center at C5 Las Pinas Pulang Lupa Uno. He prepare to have his special day to be celebrated with one of the Pilars of his career as a Servant of the People in his hometown.
For more pictures for the said event please click the link : https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.364846153611745.83917.348405828589111&type=1
