CEBU CITY – The municipality of Corella in Bohol province won the “Pastores” contest held on Wednesday, Dec. 7, by the provincial government at the provincial capitol grounds in Tagbilaran City.
Corella pocketed the P150,000 top purse and bagged the Best in Heritage Content and Best in Production Design awards.
The town of Lila was first runner-up and received P100,000. Loay was named second runner-up and got P75,000. Jagna won the Best in Instrumentation award.
Other finalists were Bilar, Tagbilaran City, Tubigon, and Guindulman.
The awarding ceremony was held at the provincial capitol grounds.
"We are happy and very thankful for the province of Bohol for having this activity which is useful and helpful to our youth for them to feel the importance of keeping the Filipino culture," said Jun Camacho, trainor and coach of Corella contingent.
The Pastores contest coincided with the lighting of the provincial government’s Christmas display headed by Gov. Aris Aumentado.
A giant ‘’belen’’ (Nativity scene) is the center piece at the provincial capitol designed by local artists. A tunnel of lights and three giant stars are also an attraction at the CPG Park.
The Pastores is a musical reenactment of the age-old story of the Nativity, a beautiful commemoration of Christmas with the pastores or dancers singing the first Christmas carols, honoring the Infant Jesus and the biblical shepherds who were among the first to see Him in the manger.
Pastores is derived from Spanish word pastoras, which means shepherds, and applies to both male and female.