The 17 Parol entries, as installed at the Market Place of the Lucky Dragon Hote land Casino. The entries were a sight to behold and they truly stepped up to the plate. Resplendent in their own unique presentations, the stars literally shone through the event, radiating the holiday glow and spirit of a true Filipino Paskuhan. And they merited to be known to the public. So congratulations and our appreciation to these amazing people: Sonia Esguerra and Ronald Maceda, Emely Bitanga, Luisa Dizon, Therese Bautista, Adin Villanueva, Jack Gregore, Maria & Albert Henry, Katrina Ferrer-Muslim, a guest entry from Milwaukee, and the winners, Annvi Fuller, Tess Godinez and Lily Bayla.
The 2016 FACCGN Christmas Lantern or Parol Design Competition.
It was so much fun to do, no matter the short time to prepare and campaign for it. Seeing the creativity in full bloom, the smiles and nostalgia radiating from the entrants, and the excitement the contest generated, we knew this was all worth doing. In staging the Parol Contest, we honor the memory of the late Robert Henry, FACCGN President from 2012 to 2014, whose inspiration guided us to stage the contest.
The Filipino American Chamber of Commerce (FACCGN) successfully hosted the First Annual Christmas Lantern or Parol Competition, enjoining members, friends and family to don their creative and artistic hats to craft a supplied Parol kit. The results were truly a visual delight as the participants stepped up to the plate, showcasing each individual style and interpretation as each entry was jazzed up and decorated according to their choice theme or perspective.
The top three winners were selected based on the criteria set by the Contest Committee, on the basis of creativity and craftsmanship, use of recycled materials, symbolism and message and overall aesthetics. The winners received cash prizes and a Certificate of Recognition from the Chamber, and certainly, they took home their award-winning Parols with feelings of celebration and victory.
The Judging and Awards Event was held last December 22, 2017 at the Marketplace, located at the Lucky Dragon Plaza, and truly, as the lanterns filled up the display gallery, the atmosphere filled up with the joys and delights of a Filipino Christmas. Truly, as the stars gleamed and sparkled, one star-studded night indeed!
-Story by: Olivia L. Enriquez, VP Communications
Meet the winners.
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Annvi Fuller
Annvi Fuller's relevant message, over-all design and craftsmanship and distinctive style made this the runaway winner. Her background in upcycling wine bottles provided her a wealth of materials like jewelry chains, and components and using them to give the Parol a distinctive Steampunk feel to it. In The symbolisms embodied in this design with the chains and a dove perched atop relayed aspirations of hope and optimism amid the chains of negativity. Truly an art piece!
She won First Prize with the cash prize of $300 which was received in her behalf by Mia Casiño.
Congratulations, Annvi Fuller!
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Maretes Godinez
Vegas Strong! Truly, for this Second Prize Winner, Tess Godinez, a strong woman whose energies as a mother to three lovely daughters, managed to squeeze Parol decorating in between her hectic schedule as a health care professional. What is distinctive about this entry was her approach to doubling the original scale by including a raffia enrobed circular frame with the focus on the niche in the silver glazed star, with the lighted globe with the resonant "Vegas Strong." Truly, a fitting tribute to the October 1 mass shooting victims.
Her award was received for her by Maria Henry, wife of the late Robert Henry, in whose memory this Parol Competition took seed. Tess takes home her cash prize of $200 with a Certificate of Recognition from the Chamber. She later accepts this from Joel Enriquez in a little ceremony at their home.
As she gleefully, received the news via text message from us, she blurts out: "Geez, I'm so proud of myself".
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Lily Bayla
A grandmother finds her creative genius with her rendition of her All-Filipino Parol. Lily Bayla uses pieces of Philippine sourced woven mats, buttons, abaca fibers and beads to render a truly Filipino Parol meant as a keepsake and a permanent Christmas decoration to hang in her home. Truly warm and distinctly Pinoy!
Congratulations, Mother Lily! This Parol wins Third Prize for her and a cash prize of $100 with a Certificate of Recognition from the Chamber.
Sharing the highlights from the Parol and star-studded moments to cap the Chamber's activities for the year 2017.
The entries truly stepped up to the plate. Resplendent in their own unique presentations, the stars literally shone through the event, radiating the holiday glow and spirit of a true Filipino “Paskuhan”. Congratulations and appreciation to the participants: Sonia Esguerra and Ronald Maceda, Emely Bitanga, Luisa Dizon, Therese Bautista, Adin Villanueva, Jack Gregore, Maria & Albert Henry, Katrina Ferrer-Muslim, a guest entry from Milwaukee, and the winners.
A group of eleven diverse people posing together in a hotel lobby with a large, golden, abstract sculpture and a chandelier in the background.
Group of people celebrating Christmas indoors with festive decorations, including bicycles and Christmas ornaments, in the background.
Group of people celebrating Christmas, standing in front of Christmas decorations including a bicycle with gold ornaments and stars, some individuals wearing Santa hats or Christmas-themed sweaters, in a festive indoor setting.
A large colorful star-shaped lantern decorated with pink, white, and red paper, hanging on a black bicycle frame in a festive display.
Indoor space decorated with colorful star and angel lanterns, hanging lantern lights, and vintage bicycles on a wall. People are sitting and standing around tables, some smiling and talking.
Decorative illuminated star surrounded by a gold tinsel wreath, with bicycles and paper lanterns in a festive display.
Three people, two men and one woman, smiling at the camera in a decorated event space with hanging red lanterns, a stage with musical instruments, and a dragon mural on the wall. The woman is sitting at a table signing documents, and the men are standing behind her.
Decorative display featuring black bicycles mounted on a wall with colorful star-shaped lanterns and ornamental items hanging from and around the bikes.