Every December, the Villar Foundation (VF) hosts pre-Christmas events in Las Piñas City that celebrates creativity, tradition, talent and cooperativism. These are the Parol Festival and Street Dance Competition and the VF Awards. The 20th edition of the festival, 16th year of dancing competition and 13th VF Awards were held last 12 December at The Tent in Vista Global South.

Highlighting the festival was the giant parol design competition that rewards skilled artisans who have preserved the craft of parol-making for generations. Last year’s third placer, Richard Loverez, won this year’s top prize. Placing second was Anna Flores with Glecy Dela Cruz bagging third place.

VF managing director and former Senator Cynthia Villar praised the contestants and winners for continuing to cultivate and safeguard the city’s traditions.

The Street Dance Competition saw young students from different elementary schools in the city showing their story-telling performance in colorful costumes and props.

Emerging grand champion was the dance group from Barangay Pulanglupa Dos’ Vergonville Elementary School (VES) under principal Joel C. Balanquit. The VES grade schoolers were choreographed by Rommer Amancio and Gabriel Silverio Ganancial with teachers Maria Sheila P. Santos, Genalyn C. Apid, Joan Marie S. Dolor, Eva L. Bolano and Geraldine C. Gomez as coaches.

First runner-up in the dance competition were the students from the CAA Elementary School followed by second runner-up, Moonwalk Elementary School. Awarded for Best in Costume: was Camella Elementary School.

Villar commended the children for their impressive performances-describing them as a reflection of “a bright future for Las Piñas, as bright as the light of our parols.”

Capping the day’s celebrations was the VF Awards on Poverty Alleviation.

The non-government organization received 120 nominees for the award but only 30 were validated and out of this number, 18 community enterprises were selected as outstanding awardees. They were All Saints Credit Cooperative, Barangay Calube Farmers Multi-purpose Cooperative (MPC), Binangonan Development Cooperative (DC), Bokod Sulphur Spring MPC, BuCor Employees MPC, Dynamic MPC, Imus Vendors DC, Lodlod MPC, Lower Gomok MPC Magallanes Women;s Club MPC, Micro-Entrepreneurs MPC, Pinagdanlayan MPC, Pinag-isang Yaman MPC, Ramcor Farmers MPC, San Isidro Labrador Parish MPC, San Jose Sico Landfill MPC Southern Leyte Employees MPC and Talon MPC.

Each awardee received a trophy and P250,000. Two Special Awardees were also recognized, each receiving P150,000 and a certificate of recognition.

DA, DENR recognitions

Meanwhile, VF has been honored by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources with its Green Legacy Award, a recognition of its long-standing commitment to environmental protection and sustainable community development.

The Foundation said the recognition inspires it even more to pursue greener alternatives and strengthen its programs, from tree planting and wetland conservation to waste reduction and livelihood initiatives.

“With continued support from partners and collaborators, we remain steadfast in building a greener and more sustainable future for all,” VF said.

Villar also thanked the Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) CALABARZON for giving a certificate of appreciation to the VF Farm School and Tourist Farm during its ATIng Parangal 2025.

“This recognition gives us strength and inspiration to continue our advocacy in promoting modern, inclusive, and sustainable agriculture. Thank you very much for the continued trust, collaboration, and support of DA-ATI CALABARZON in our programs for farmers, students, and communities,” Villar said.