GIANT LANTERN FESTIVAL. Seven giant lanterns brighten up the dark skies as the Giant Lantern Festival 2020 takes center stage at the Robinsons Starmills in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga on Wednesday night (Dec. 16, 2020). The annual festival was staged not as a competition but as a virtual exhibition by lantern makers from the city's participating villages to bring inspiration and spark hope amid the pandemic. (Photo by City Government of San Fernando)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Not even the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic can stop the Giant Lantern Festival which this city holds every year to bring joy and hope to Filipinos.
In its 112th year, the world-renowned “Ligligan Parul” took center stage on Wednesday night at Robinson’s Starmills here to keep the Kapampangan’s cultural tradition alive amid the pandemic.
But this time, not as a competition but a virtual exhibition of seven giant lanterns from Barangays Sto. Niño, San Juan, San Nicolas, Sta. Lucia, Bulaon, Telebastagan, and Calulut that was aired live via regional television network CLTV36 and social media site.
The GLF Foundation, Inc. and the City Government of San Fernando decided to skip the actual competition to prevent possible Covid-19 transmission and surge of cases in the city.
Despite some limitations and restrictions due to the pandemic, the annual festival was staged successfully as it enabled to deliver a strong message of hope to the people from all walks of life.
Through livestream, viewers in this province, other places in the country, and even abroad witnessed the grand display of spectacular lights, the interplay of colors and kaleidoscopic patterns of the giant lanterns to the beat of lively Kapampangan songs.
Some of those who watched the festival at the safety and comfort of their homes have expressed their amazement via social media as they saw the craftsmanship and ingenuity of the lantern makers from the seven participating barangays.
“The Giant Lantern Festival is indeed one of the grandest events in Pampanga during this Yuletide season. Although we were not able to watch the annual tradition personally, it somehow brought the warmth and joys of Christmas amid this pandemic,” said Mylene Ilagan, a 51-year-old housewife from Gapan City, Nueva Ecija.
Joseph Dayao of Balanga City, Bataan said the excitement of watching the annual festival is still there even via live stream.
“It was really amazing. No one can dispute that this is the best festival in the region. Sa gitna ng mga challenges na ating kinakaharap, ang Giant Lantern Festival ay nagsisilbing simbolo ng pag-asa (Amid some challenges we are facing, the Giant Lantern Festival serves as a symbol of hope),” Dayao said.
“I am proud to be Kapampangan. The Giant Lantern Festival is part of our tradition that we would not let it die. Although the celebration this year is different, but we are thankful that it was push through,” said Rhea Mendoza of Barangay Dolores here.
Mayor Edwin Santiago said the San Fernando Christmas lanterns are a great source of inspiration and spark hope.
“Amid the pandemic, we are able to show the whole world our pride, the giant lanterns. We celebrate this occasion every year. Each year, we are proudly celebrate the great and talented lantern makers who continue to excel their craft through generations,” Santiago said in his message via livestream.
Although the celebration this year is a little different due to the pandemic, Santiago said “the message that these lanterns bring remain the same. That life is colorful and the hope that this pandemic shall pass stays bright”. (PNA)
