Build your Christmas tree, make it a family tradition

Staying home for almost two years for additional protection against the COVID-19 has set our minds into slumber mode. The different trends that escalated at the start of the pandemic seemed to have diminished over time as well.

When you feel like you have exhausted your energy on online shopping, movie marathons, and online games, you stop and ask, "Is there a better way to spend your time? How do you break away from the routine and add a little excitement to your day?"  

The Manila Bulletin’s Newspaper Christmas Tree Making Contest, now on its 19th year, has become a tradition for many Filipino families before the pandemic. This year, with its theme "My Family's Christmas Tree," it seeks to return the old excitement that this family bonding activity has delivered over the years. 

“Creatively collaborating on this activity is something that each member of the family can look forward to and enjoy. It also creates lasting family memories. As we recognize that family has their unique expression in putting up their Christmas tree, this is what we hope to showcase in this year’s competition,” said Badette M. Cunanan, project head and Manila Bulletin Public Relations manager.

The challenge is for the creative youth with keen interest to lead the family, their pack, or even group of friends and pour out their yearning to express and impress, and create their version of their family or squad’s Newspaper Christmas Tree. 

“We work on different ways to push for the company’s primary advocacies which are to promote reading, recycling, and enhancing family ties. We try to present different thematic on-print activities with the young people as our primary target, and the Newspaper Christmas Tree Making Contest is one of them,” Cunanan added. 

The contest mechanics are simple: Entries should be four feet in height and two and a half feet in width and sturdy enough to be put on display. Only Manila Bulletin newspapers or any of its other publications—Tempo, Balita, Animal Scene, Agriculture, Liwayway, Bisaya, Hiligaynon, Bannawag—should be used in creating the tree and its ornaments.

All entries, complete with a filled-out entry form, photo while creating your Newspaper Christmas Tree, and actual entry, must be submitted to the Manila Bulletin Main Office at Muralla corner Recoletos Streets, Intramuros, Manila on or before 5:00 p.m. on December 20, 2021. Judging and announcement of winners will be on December 22, 2021, at the SM Mall of Asia.

The first-place winner will receive P50,000 cash and P50,000 worth of SM gift certificates, while the second-place winner will receive P30,000 cash and P30,000 worth of SM gift certificates. Finally, the third-place winner will receive P20,000 cash and P20,000 worth of SM gift certificates.

The yearly competition is co-presented by SM and Pag-Ibig Fund, supported by Changhong Television, Everest, United Laboratories, Café France, and SM Mall of Asia, partners who share the same advocacies in their respective organizations. 

For the complete mechanics, check out print ads in the Manila Bulletin, and for any inquiries you may call 8527-8121.