I WAS invited to be part of the panel of judges that chose the winning 'parols' from the competing entries submitted by different state universities and colleges. They had to be made from recyclable and recycled material — plastic clearly excluded — and had to express in artistic form the theme: 'Isang Bituin, Isang Mithiin.' Many entries were skillfully crafted, but most were not responsive to the theme. What I found truly inspiring though was the fact that state universities and colleges from predominantly Muslim regions and provinces participated and contributed truly creditable entries.