CHALLENGING Dagupenos’ creativity in the advent of Christmas, the Dagupan City government city will introduce the Scrap Lantern Festival.

Councilor Alfie Fernandez, hermano mayor of the 2008 city fiesta, said contest for the best lantern made of indigenous and scrap materials will be open to all Dagupenos.

The effort is in support to the city’s waste management program, as well as evoke creative craftsmanship particularly among students in the city.

“The idea is to rethink, recycle and reuse materials,” Fernandez said as he stressed the use of indigenous materials like grass, reeds and other native raw materials.

Only scrap or junk and other found items such as empty plastic bottles, newspapers, card board boxes may be used to complement the design.

“This project is a statement that the current economic crunch would not be a reason to spoil our Christmas as we come together anew to celebrate our annual city fiesta,” he said.

Open to all residents of Dagupan or groups representing the city’s 31 barangays, this year’s lantern competition will be evaluated based on ingenuity, marketability and simplicity, depicting the theme, Dutak Karoman, Dekorasyon Natan.

Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. said this year’s celebration will showcase significance, color and culture as he assured events like Pawil Dagupan, coronation of the festival beauties, and sectoral nights will remain as unique features of the annual festivity. (CIO/RR)