"We will see a bigger and better festival next year," stressed Mayor Hernani A. Braganza just before the start of the Christmas Carol Singing Contest held at the Don Leopoldo Sison Auditorium last Monday evening.

Pandaydayew, a Pangasinense word which means 'praise' is the city government’s way of making this yuletide season happier and memorable for all Alaminians.

The first Pandaydayew which kicked-off last November 28 and culminates on January 8 next year, was spearheaded by the city government of Alaminos in partnership with Dep-Ed Alaminos.

According to Dr. Oscar C. Tadeo, OIC city schools division superintendent, this Christmas event was conceptualized to give the city residents a better reason to celebrate the long holidays.

The staging of Pandaydayew ’09 is expected with much happiness, he said.

“This is a simple gift of the city government to the people of Alaminos, our students and educators and local folks,” he stressed.

“It also serves as an avenue for our students to showcase their talents in singing and the cityfolks in unleashing their creativity and ingenuity in making lanterns,” said the division chief.

Special activities were lined up for the said occasion that includes trade fair, mini-carnival and lighting of Christmas Trees.

The main feature was the Lantern Making Contest and Hundred Islands Choral competition.

The Lantern making contest was open to all 39 barangays, where they will have to make use of indigenous and recyclable materials to help mitigate the impact of climate change and the problem on economic crisis.

A parade of the giant lanterns was held also last Monday at 5 pm to the delight of hundreds of Alaminians who lined-up at the city’s central business district to witness the display of the masterpieces of each barangay.

In the Christmas carol singing contest, all secondary public and private schools in the city took part in the city except for Alaminos City National High School, having the best choral group and consistent winner higher levels of choral competitions.

Braganza said the ‘Alaminian spirit’ might have been weakened due to several misfortunes caused by recent calamities coupled with the current economic crunch.

“But with our undying culture of getting back on our feet, we have slowly conquered all the trials that came our way,” added the hardworking chief executive.

“Hence, this Pandaydayew to forget the many problems and painful experiences we have encountered for the past months.”

“This likewise gives us new hope and better reason to celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.”

Barangay San Antonio topped this year’s Christmas lantern making contest. Barangays Lucap and Poblacion settled for 2nd and 3rd place, respectively.

On the other hand, Colegio San Jose de Alaminos bested its counterpart in the choral competition. Great Plebeian College was adjudged as first runner-up while Mary The Queen Educational Foundation took the third place.

The champions in both categories brought home the P10, 000 cash prize plus trophies.

There were also special awards given to the most dynamic team known the Paskong Pasko Award which went to barangay Bued and the biggest delegation award for barangay Poblacion.

Former city mayor Eduardo F. Fontelera and Dr