Entries to the yearly Giant Lantern Festival are drawing huge crowds at night, making this town the Christmas capital of Eastern Samar province.

Despite budget constraints, 13 entries joined the competition from the cluster of 28 villages, Can-avid tourism officer Sebastian Pomarejos said in an interview Thursday.

The giant lanterns are displayed inside the Can-avid Plaza and public market compound to ensure the safety of visitors and tourists, unlike in previous years when they were lined along the national highway.

The first judging started during the opening on Dec. 10, while the final judging is scheduled before New Year’s Day.

In her message, Mayor Vilma Germino thanked village officials for keeping the competition alive to become their town’s tradition.

Germino said without the support of all barangay officials, the Lantern Festival would not succeed.

“Through our unity, we strengthen this activity and are able to sustain this, allowing us to show how we celebrate and love the birth of Jesus Christ,” she said.

Village and youth officials led in the creation and designing of their respective entries for the Giant Lantern Festival.

This year’s competition winners will receive a PHP200,000 cash prize for the first place, PHP150,000 for the second place, and PHP100,000 for the third place.

Cash prizes were donated by Eastern Samar lone district Rep. Ma Fe Abunda, Governor Ben Evardone, and the 4Ps Party-list.

Consolation cash prizes are from the local government unit, while special award cash prizes were donated by Vice Governor Maricor Sison-Goteesan.

Department of Tourism 8 (Eastern Visayas) Director Karina Rosa Tiopes lauded the local government for sustaining the activity.

“Seeing this bright, sparkling light makes us able to temporarily forget our problem and relax our mind. This also tells us that this is the best time of the year because of the birth of our Jesus Christ,” Tiopes said.

Can-avid’s Giant Lantern Festival is a unique competition as it advocates the use of recyclable materials and indigenous products as main components in creating the more than five-foot-tall giant lantern entries for the competition.

Among the materials used in creating the lanterns are empty plastic bottles, disposable cups, dried leaves, abaca products, straws, and other recyclable and junk materials. (PNA)