Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, known for its continuous efforts to promote creativity, artistry, and environmental conservation, named Abucay’s plastic-made Christmas tree as the grand winner to the heritage hotel and destination’s environmental-friendly tree competition.

The grand reveal and official tree-lighting ceremony were held last December 7, 2019, at Plaza Tobias of Las Casas in Bagac, Bataan.

Titled “Christmas Tree-Cycle Competition,” this inter-municipality Christmas tree-making competition carries Las Casas’ mission to have a ‘Greener Bataan’ this Yuletide season.

Marivent Resort Hotel Inc. President Paul Kerr said in his opening speech, “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.”

Abucay’s winning entry titled “White Christmas” features a sphere to symbolize completeness, unity, equality, and acceptance.

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.

It took his 20-member team two months of careful planning, plastic collection, and mounting.

In an interview with the press, Izon explained, “Hindi po kasi consistent na nagagawa, meron pong mga pahinga, then minsan po sa gabi lang namin nagagawa.”

The municipality’s existing “Palit Bote Para sa School Supplies” campaign also came in handy.

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

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.

Each of the participating municipalities and cities came up with a 20-feet Christmas tree made solely from recyclable materials. Contestants were advised to ensure that their trees and ornaments are weather-proof.