This year, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar went beyond glitz and glamour and opted to celebrate deeper sense of the Yuletide season through two major initiatives -  tree-making contest and chorale group competition.

Unlike traditional tree lighting ceremony, the heritage hotel and destination nestled in Bagac, Bataan, put a spotlight on two important aspects – creativity and sustainability – through an environmental-friendly inter-municipality Christmas Tree-making contest.

The grand reveal and lighting ceremony was held last December 7, 2019, at the familiar grounds of Plaza Tobias at Las Casas.

Among the judges were Filipina actress-comedienne Kiray Celis, Man of the World 2018 First Runner-up Clint Karklins, Miss Philippines Earth 2019 Janelle Tee, Robert Joshua Camacho, and Marivent Resort Hotel Inc. President Paul Kerr.

In photo: Christmas Tree-making judges and Chorale group finalists.

Las Casas’”Christmas Tree-Cycle Competition” named Team Abucay’s spherical tree as the contest’s grand winner.

According to Engineer Vince Norman Izon, team leader and Sangguniang Kabataan of Abucay Chairperson, said that the tree’s concept is as if the balls are lifting each other until they reach the top.

Moreso, their abstract design symbolizes completeness, unity, equality, and acceptance.

The municipality’s existing “Palit Bote Para sa School Supplies” campaign also came in handy as it became their biggest step in completing their Christmas tree.

Participating municipalities include Abucay, Limay, Hermosa, Mariveles, Dinalupihan and the City of Balanga.

Marivent Resort Hotel Inc. President Paul Kerr said in his opening speech during the event, “This initiative aims to celebrate Christmas through showing off their creative and competitive spirits and in the long run unite the municipalities towards one goal.

“There’s much about community as it is about the environment and trying to create a better and cleaner Bataan for everyone.”

Team Abucay received PHP 200,000 while runners-up Balanga and Limay won PHP 

100,000 and PHP 50,000 respectively. Non-winners still took home PHP 10,000 each.

Meanwhile, Las Casas will also be launching its chorale competition that will feature the world-class talents of Bataeǹos.

Positioned as Bataan’s biggest amateur chorale competition, said initiative aims to not just promote performing arts to younger generations but also to become an avenue to showcase the locals’ undeniable singing prowess.

Finalists will have a final showdown in a Christmas concert titled “A Christmas Carol” on December 14, a night before the traditional “Simbang Gabi.”

For more information, visit www.lascasasfilipinas.com or Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar on Facebook and Instagram.