Sariaya Tourism Council (STC) Auditor Mr. Teody de la Pena led the thanksgiving prayers for all the good things that contributed to the pleasant holding of the nine - day Nativity – oriented festival, particularly the more inclement weather conditions which did not characterize the Paskuhan of the previous two years. The singing of the Lupang Hinirang followed led by STC Dramatic Guild member Ms. Jo Anne Almendrala. Program emcee Mr. Rik Sumague welcomed everybody who came to witness the conclusion of the festival before reintroducing the contestants and their respective Belen entries. He then gave a short talk about the Sariayahins’ “Tambayan” online… the SARIAYA.net website and its portal, and introduced its youthful Web Master, Mr. Jubert Reyes. Mr. Reyes kindly donated enlarged photos of each Belen entry for the awarding ceremonies, which he took on the night of December 17, 2007.

Rev Fr. Andrew S. Hernandez, STC President, then conveyed his greetings and thanked everyone who lent a hand in this now established Yuletide tradition of Sariaya, which has successfully spruced up the park for the Holidays since 2005. At this juncture, the microphone suddenly failed followed by a drizzle so everybody transferred to the Sariaya Sports Complex where an acquaintance party for all the members of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) was to be held after the Paskuhan closing program. Using the microphone and sound system set up for the succeeding event, Fr. Andrew went on with the rest of his interrupted thanksgiving address while the other STC members did the necessary preparations for the awarding ceremonies.

Mr. Rik Sumague then called on each of the Belen entry owners to hand them their respective Certificates of Participation, together with the Belen photos donated by Mr. Jubert Reyes, to the applause of the crowd. Fr. Andrew then proceeded to the much awaited highlight of the evening, the Awarding of Prizes to the winners, and started with the four Consolation Prizes of P6,000 in cash and gift…a beautifully enhanced glass – framed photo of the 1748 Sariaya Church at twilight, with light bulbs tracing its outlines against the dark blue sky, captioned “Sariaya, Our Home, Our Heritage”. They were given to entry number 9 Cristina’s Gown Shop, entry number 2 Angkan Ng Brunio, entry number 7 Silangang Nayon Park and Restaurant of Pagbilao, Quezon and entry number 3 Triple – G Balubal. The third prize winner that received P20,000 was entry number 6 JC Farms owned by Atty. And Mrs. Jose Flores Jr. Entry number 1 Concepcion Ibaba Elementary School won the P30,000 second prize and the grand prize winner of P50,000 was the Belen of Quejano’s Boutique owned by well known Sariayahin fashion designer Christopher Quejano.

STC President Rev. Fr. Andrew S. Hernandez then thanked everyone who joined and supported the 3rd Paskuhan Sa Sariaya and asked for continued support for all the beneficial projects of the Sariaya Tourism Council, particularly the fourth Belen Festival in December 2008.

A hearty and delicious snack of creamy macaroni and breaded fried chicken catered by Mrs. Maria Ana Orendain – Villoso, together with ice cold Coke. was served at the STC Pundohan thereafter… just as the “Paskuhan Ng Kabataan” SK Christmas Acquaintance Party started at the Sariaya Sports Complex.