LB-ish Christmas

Giant Christmas Tree. Santa and his reindeers. Wooden Belen.

All these adorned University of the Philippines-Los Banos' Carabao Park this December. And to further celebrate the most magical time of the year, the annual Parolan was held last December 15 at the Dioscoro L. Umali Auditorium. This year, the UPLB Corps of Cadets and Corps of Sponsors in cooperation with the UPLB Adminstration and the UPLB Office for Initiative in Culture and the Arts celebrated the traditional Parolan together with the 100th year of the UPROTC, hence the theme: "Handog sa Sentebaryo ng UPROTC: Pagpapalawak sa Kamalayan ng Pagkalinga sa Kalikasan Ngayong Kapaskuhan".

The colorful lanterns along with the gorgeous Mutya representatives from competing organizations clad the UPLB grounds during the parade. The rain didn't stop the elbizens from completing the parade route. Talk about Christmas spirit! 

UP Cells' lantern

Hello, thurrr! :))

With the renowned Dr. William S.M. Gruezo, UP Cells' Senior Adviser 

UP Gawad Kalinga Los Banos' lantern entry (photo from Nina Tuazon)

PASES' lantern entry

This is the first time that I've experienced Parolan inside the D.L. Umali Auditorium. Usually, it is held either at Baker Hall or D.L. Umali Freedom Park. This year's Parolan is kinda special, I thought. And indeed it was when UP Cell Biological Society's parol won 1st-runner up! Our sis, Krinzel Mae V. Pascua also bagged the Mutya ng Parolan 2011 title! Hurray! It also brought me extra joy when the parol from my other organization, UP Gawad Kalinga-Los Banos was announced as the Vanguard's Choice Award, despite being a newbie in this event! Congratulations, UP Cells and UPGK-LB! Happiness overload, it is! :)

Here are the results. Congratulations! :)

Best Parol: UPHILSAMS

1st Runner-up: UP CELLS

2nd Runner-up: ENTOMSOC

Vanguard's Choice: UPGK-LB

Commandant's Choice: ECOSS

Chancellor's Choice: ENTOMSOC

Most Artistic: College of Public Affairs

Mutya ng Parolan 2011: Krinzel Mae Pascua of UP CELLS

The stunning Mutyas (photo by Karee Sarmienta)

Ecoss' lantern entry, Commandant's Choice (photo by Karee Sarmienta)

Entomsoc's lantern entry Eden, 2nd-runner up (photo by Karee Sarmienta)

UP Cells' lantern entry, 1st runner-up
Ms. Krinzel Mae Pascua, Mutya ng Parolan 2011
(photo by Karee Sarmienta)

UP Cells's Sarimanok (photo by Karee Sarmienta)

Mutya ng Parolan 2011! Congrats, Intel! Proud momma! :) (photo by Karee Sarmienta)

Overjoyed! (photo by Karee Sarmienta)

Cells family♥ (photo by Karee Sarmienta)

The night ended with the newly appointed UPLB Chancellor, Dr. Rex Victor Cruz announcing that there will be no classes the following day. Hello, Christmas break! :)