CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga-Its all systems go for the City of San Fernando’s staging of the 2013 edition of its internationally renowned Giant Lantern Festival (GLF) on December 14.
“10 barangays will battle for this year’s crown which will be held in Robinsons Starmills. Participants include defending champion Del Pilar” GLF 2013 Organizing Committee chair Mariano Castro Jr. said.
A total of 250 personnel from the Philippine National Police shall be deployed in the event area while San Fernando Rescue Unit will be on full alert.
“Aside from the main competition on December 14, we have other activities in line with the GLF. We are going to have an Inter-Village Christmas Decor Competition from December 2-5, Lantern Parade Competition on December 6, Diplomatic Reception on December 15, and Lantern Exhibitions at Robinsons Starmills from December 15-21,” Castro added.
The 20-foot tall lanterns shall also be displayed in Telebastagan on December 22, Greenfields on December 23, San Fernando City Proper on December 24, Nepo Complex in Angeles City on December 27, and Marquee Mall on December 28 and 29.
According to historical accounts, the festival, which is locally known as “Ligligan Parul” (Showdown of Lanterns), is believed to have started in 1908 when Franciso Estanislao pioneered the lantern making industry in San Fernando.
Estanislao is said to have built a giant lantern for a Christmas procession during that year.
However, it was only in 1931 when the first lantern competition was formally organized. The inaugural contest was in honor of Aurora Aragon Quezon – wife of former president Manuel Quezon.
Through the years, several innovations were introduced in the competition namely the use of batteries in 1940, molding of steel wire as frame in 1950 and rotors in 1957.
Rotors are aluminum tubes that are moved so hairpins and a series of bulbs connected to these are exposed to the electricity source. The movements dictate when the bulbs will light up and project images.
Last year’s GLF attracted an estimated 350,000 local and foreign tourists.
Beginning today, December 3, smartphone users can download the “Ligligan Parul” app, which contains the history of GLF, full schedule of activities, names of participating barangays, and top 10 food destinations in San Fernando.
Updates are also available in the festival’s official Facebook page (www.facebook.com/GiantLantern) and Twitter account (@GiantLantern).
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