Anda’s creative Christmas trees

Some towns are just more creative than others.  In Anda town, Christmas trees were created with discarded trash and indigenous materials.

An array of skillfully crafted Christmas trees made from waste materials are now beautifully displayed at the town plaza and continue to surprise a lot of viewers.

The giant Christmas tree in front of the town hall. 

-Leo Udtohan

The Christmas trees are entries to this year’s contest where Mayor Angelina Simacio once more enjoined every village of the town to conceptualize a recyclable material-inspired Christmas tree.

Christmas trees have been a part of the Christmas tradition for centuries.

With the theme “Pasko sa Anda”, the contest aims to enhance Solid Waste Management awareness, creativity and teamwork among barangay folk and to strengthen the 3 R’s (recycle, reduce and reuse) while advocating for 100 percent segregation of solid waste.

Arvin Rubillos, private secretary to the mayor, said the recyclable waste material-inspired Christmas trees would resemble the Filipino value of frugality and the ability of the people to generate ideas.

The Christmas trees are also great symbol of peace and harmony among  the people of Anda, said Barangay Katipunan kagawad  Rouvien De Guzman.

“Anda is now a popular Christmas destination here in our province because we have different kinds of Christmas trees made from recycled and indigenous materials,” said De Guzman. “I’m inviting everyone to visit our town, mag-Anda, it’s a beautiful Anda.”

The creative and clever Christmas trees made from 

recycled and indigenous materials in Anda town, Bohol. –

  Leo Udtohan/Bohol Chronicle

A giant Christmas tree in front of the town hall was made entirely of recycled materials- including the coconut stalks.  Atop the Christmas tree is a star that looks like a Philippine flag. Christmas lights and other glitters were added to make the tree more eye-catching. This Christmas tree is both environmentally friendly and clever. In fact, it looks pretty cool.

At the town plaza, Christmas trees were made from bamboo, fans, dry sticks, packaging boxes and plastic bottles.

In Guindulman town, the green Christmas tree was made from recycled plastic bottles.  The tree is proudly on display in front of the municipal building.

The Tagbilaran City Hall is making for a blue festive Christmas. Residents can enjoy the different tourist attractions in the world. The giant Christmas tree comes wrapped up in shades blue and sparkles.

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Some Christmas trees have angels.  They seem to sing a little louder at this time of the year, glinting gently from atop Christmas trees and celebrated in song.

AR De La Serna during the final rehearsal of the

 first Mister Supranational in Poland.  

Courtesy: Mister Supranational Photo

The angels have a lot to say about Christmas, and, Biblically speaking, we learn the significance of Jesus’ birth.

The term angel literally means “messenger,” and it is in this prominent role that angels take part in the Christmas story.  Understandably, images of angels have become a familiar symbol of Christmas.  Their role in the Christmas drama has been practically immortalized by hymnists. Think of the hymns we’ll be singing at this time of year:  Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, While Shepherds Watched their Flocks, The First Noel, et al.

“Angels” often take human form. Case in point: Glorivic Yap-De la Serna’s experience in Europe.

It is, indeed, a mother's ultimate joy to see her child succeed in all endeavors, so when her son AR, won the much-coveted title of Mr. Supranational Philippines 2016, it was a family blessing beyond compare, a testament of how she raised him. Not only that he has given much pride and joy to the family, but to the people of  Bohol,  a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him to represent the province, as well as the Philippines in a prestigious international competition.

And so, after all the twists and turns and other ingredients (action, drama, suspense, etc), she made it to Poland.

Glorivic Yap-De La Serna with her son, AR, 

who is the first Filipino to compete

 in the Mister Supranational.  Contributed Photo

Glorivic, the head of the Bayanihan Coordinating Unit of the provincial government of Bohol, arrived in Poland on Friday after an exhausting 23-hour trip to support her son, AR, who is competing for the first Mister Supranational.

Traveling alone, she met strangers who helped her to reach Krynica Zdrój, Nowy Sącz, where the pageant was held.

“When I thought that I was at a loss and no help is coming.. A good Samaritan came my way,” she said.

There were little girls who offered coffee (it’s freezing cold in Poland) and hugged her.

“Lots of people to thank for,” she said. “I believe in angels.”

Remember do not forget  to show hospitality to strangers, because some who have done this have welcomed angels without knowing it .-Hebrews 13:2

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