Parol (Christmas lantern)-makers of Las Piñas and young local performers took center stage at the newly-inaugurated Tent at the Vista Global South for the 14th Las Piñas Parol Festival.
The Parol Festival was a brainchild of Senator Cynthia Villar when she was still the representative of Las Piñas in a bid to boost the city’s parol-making industry.
“Residents of other areas troop to our city to take part in the festivities.”
“The Las Piñas Parol Festival has become a most-awaited tradition during the Christmas season not only for Las Piñeros but also for residents of other areas who troop to our city to take part in the festivities,” Villar said.
This year’s parol contest had 17 entries from the Samahang Magpaparol ng Las Piñas. The entries range in size from 8 feet to 10 feet. The best parol was awarded with the P20,000 first prize; second prize was P15,000, and third prize was P10,000.
“The festivities also include a street dancing competition.”
The festivities also included a street dancing competition with six groups participating composed of:
Group 1: Talon Elem. School Moonwalk Elem. School, MES Golden Acres-Annex and MES-Mikesell Annex;
Group 2: CAA Elementary School, CAA Elementary- Annex and Gatchalian Elem. School;
Group 3: Vergonville Elem., Dona Manuela Elem., Pulanglupa Elem. School and Pulanglupa Elem. School-Camella Annex;
Group 4: Pamplona Elem. School, Pamplona Elem. School-Unit 1, Zapote Elem. School and Talon 3 Annex;
Group 5: Manuyo Elem., Daniel Fajardo Elem., Ilaya and Las Pinas Elem.-Central; and
Group 6: Almanza Elem. School, Almanza Elem. School-Annex and Pilar Village Elem. School
The groups were composed of 30 to 55 dancers who are elementary students currently enrolled in Las Pinas. Cash prizes at stake were: Champion, P50,000; First Runner up, P30,000; and Second Runner up, P20,000.
The Parol Festival also featured the Samahang Magpaparol booth, Higantes Belen and a lantern parade.