Participants of the 22 competing schools, together with their parents filled the Natalged Arena on the afternoon of December 12, 2023 for the HIMIG PASKO CAROLING COMPETITION.
After the preliminaries and the Opening Remarks of Vice Mayor Randy C. Cambe, Mayor Dante Dexter A. Agatep delivered a Christmas Message to the crowd of mostly young constituents:
"Maragsakannak unay ta adu kayo manen nga immay ditoy Natalged Arena...Ngem adda kayo tatta ditoy haan laeng nga umay maki-contest. Immay kayo agkakanta, ag-carolling tapno rambakan ti asideg a pannakayanak ti Mesias. Adda kayo tapno i-welcome tayo a sangapada ni Apu Tayo Hesu Kristo. Immay kayo tapno maikkan manen ti napateg nga mensahe ti Paskua..."
Mayor Agatep then acknowledged the organizers from the LGU, headed by his Executive Assistant Isabella G. Lozada and Department of Education event-partners headed by Public Schools District Supervisor Francisco S. Conag, PhD and West District In-charge Wilson F. Constantino.
With a board of judges composed of Pastor Ramil Cabael, who also obliged to a rousing rendition of "Oh Holy Night," CSU Professor Ronel T. Pacubat, and Municipal Budget Officer Jose, A. Rebultan, Jr., the caroling competition went on to evening before the five winning elementary schools were declared:
Champion: Lasam Central School
Also winner of Best Thematic Content
Conductress: Febe Jurado
Vocal Coach: Marilyn Mendoza
School Head: Rebecca C. Balbuena
Viga Elementary School - First Runner up
Conductress: Leah C. Paculdar
Vocal Coach: Donah A. Queja
School Head: Jhoanne Magusib
Callao ES - Second Runner up
Conductress Larina U. Bagalayos
Vocal Coach: Chona M. Ferrer
School Head: Arlynne Asuncion
New Orlins – Third Runner up
Conductress: Jennifer P. Balisacan
Vocal Coach: Mary Lucy C. Digap
School Head: Catherine T. Digap
Agunnetan ES – Fourth Runner up
Conductress: Lorna P. Pascual
Vocal Coach: Cherly P. Callangan
School Head: Fernando Vega
The victorious caroling school groups were judged based on Musicality, Showmanship, and Content/Theme.
Himig Pasko is a rebrand of the Samiweng ti Paskua chorale contest that traditionally rings in the meriments of the Paskuhan ng Bayan in Lasam.#
💻 Alfred Ursua
📸 Erica Mae Castro