Lighting up the house for Christmas: its something done in households across Belize. True, Christmas may have been reduced to a crass commercial event, and the spirit of the season devalued. But don't put those twinkling lights into the category of Christmas externalities and excesses; they're nowhere near as important as the birth of the Christ child, but lights play an important part in generating a sense of Christmas cheer across the community. And nobody's more eager to capitalize on that than your electricity company BEL. Every year the utility holds a light up the holiday's competition in different towns and cities across Belize. Last night that took them to San Pedro and 7NEWS was there to see who shone brightest on La Isla Bonita.
Jules VasquezReporting,
San Pedro was alive with the energy of Christmas with Santa in the street, with a variety show and even the fireman Santa got in the ovation. More noise would come from the BEL crew led by judges Mayor Elsa Paz and Miss Belize Leilah Pandy followed by a gaggle of BEL employees/noisemakers until the convoy pulled up at the house of the first place winner to create quite a commotion on the street. A somewhat befuddled grandfather Mario Jurado was at home babysitting. The BEL crew marched up with the gifts.
Leilah Pandy, Judge
"On behalf of BEL I'd like to say congratulations"
Mario Jurado, First Place Winner - Computer and Printer
"Thank you very much."
"This is a big surprise because I never think we would win this prize this time because we make this decoration too late."
Then it was just around the corner to the second place winner for another presentation by Miss Belize. This time the prize was a washing machine.
Lisbeth Reyes, Second Place - washing machine
"I love to decorate my house every year."
Jules Vasquez,
But you don't do it to win a prize?
Lisbeth Reyes,
"No, no."
Jules Vasquez,
So then this is a pleasant surprise?
Lisbeth Reyes,
"Oh yes. A very good one. Its important because its Christmas time and then I feel like really I am waiting for Christmas time and I love to see my house well decorated so I am the one that fight for it every year."
The third place winner got a 27 inch television and that's the house right beside the first place winner.
Jules Vasquez,
Do you guys compete in a subtle way?
Dennis Alfaro, Third Place - 27 inch TV
"Well not really, its just a tradition every year we tend to decorate our houses, the whole neighborhood actually."
Jules Vasquez,
Now you guys have some far out…I mean you didn't get these stuff here?
Dennis Alfaro,
"No not really but every year we get some more right so just during the year we get more and more and more."
Jules Vasquez,
You think you might have to sell the price to pay your light bill.
Dennis Alfaro,
[Laughing] "I don't think so."
Jules Vasquez,
By how much does your light bill increase?
Dennis Alfaro,
"Probably by $100 I guess."
Jules Vasquez,
How much does your light bill increase at Christmas with all these lights?
Mario Jurado,
"I don't know. When the bill comes, I will see."
Jules Vasquez,
So arguably you can sell this computer to pay your light bill?
Mario Jurado,
[Laughs] "Yes I'll have to see."
And true enough the big wheel in the light meter keeps turning: everytime this motorized lighted reindeer moves his head, everytime this light flashes, and every snowman's smile the big wheel in the light meter keeps turning as long as these lights stay on. But its BEL's contest and the most spins of the meter usually wins.
Elsa Paz, Judge
"For me it was a very hard decision, hard judging because we picked 13 houses and then we narrowed it down to 6 and then from the 6 we had to pick first, second, and third prize. It was a very difficult judging."
Leilah Pandy, Judge
"This one, the house by Miss Emma won over the others because of the nativity scene and nativity feel of it. It was the only one with a complete manger and Santa Claus."
7NEWS produced for broadcast by News Director Jules Vasquez
Edited for the internet by Keith Swift