Pampanga steps up efforts to keep lantern-making tradition

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The city government here is stepping up its efforts to sustain its brands as the country’s “Home of the Giant Lanterns” and “Christmas Capital.”

In partnership with the SM Development Corporation, the city government will put up a center that will showcase the centuries-old tradition of giant lantern-making.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Thursday for the construction of the Giant Lantern and Tourist Information Center at the former Paskuhan Village.

The two-story center, which has a total floor area of 500 square meters, will sit on a 5,000-square meter land area donated to the city government by Premier Central, Inc. (PCI), a subsidiary of SM Prime Holdings Corporation.

“The project that we have is more than just a building or infrastructure. Mas nakikita po natin ito sa mas malawak na perspektibo. Isang bunga ng ating trabaho na pagbuklurin po ang ating mga komunidad sa pamamagitan ng pagbuhay muli sa ating kultura at tradisyon (We see this more from a broader perspective. A fruit of our work to unite our communities through the revival of our culture and tradition),” Mayor Edwin Santiago said in official social media post.

Santiago said the building will house an exhibit space, a museum, "pasalubong" shop, library and archives center, an office for the city’s tourism department, and a conference room.

The remaining portion of the land area will be built with an amphitheater that could hold different activities, he added.

City engineer Anele David said the construction of the center and amphitheater will be free-of-charge and will be shouldered by the said private firm.

“Ang lote at gusali po ay ipinagkaloob sa atin ng ating katuwang na kumpanya kaya ang partisipasyon po natin sa tuwing makakatanggap tayo ng donasyon ay ang maintenance at operating expenses. Sa construction naman po ay magsasagawa tayo ng monitoring sa compliance nila sa ating mga alituntunin (The lot and building were donated to us by our partner company. Thus, our participation every time we receive donations is the maintenance and operation expenses. In the construction, we will conduct monitoring in compliance with our regulations,” David said.

City tourism officer Ching Pangilinan, meanwhile, said the new building will become an image of the original Paskuhan Village.

“In keeping true to its legacy and as part of our Kapampangan heritage, through our city mayor, we were able to get a donation for the property. With that, kahit na wala na yung Paskuhan na dati nating kilala, mabubuhay muli ito sa isang panibagong paraan, mas contemporary, at mas akma sa panahon na ito na hindi nakakalimutan yung kasaysayan at tradisyon natin bilang Fernandinos (even without the Paskuhan we once knew, it will be revived in a new way, more contemporary, and more appropriate to this time without forgetting our history and traditions as Fernandinos),” Pangilinan said.

On July 2, 2020, the city government and PCI formally signed a deed of donation for the said land area and two projects as part of the amicable settlement between the firm and the city.

This served as a “go signal” for the city government and SMDC to begin the development in the area, including several meetings for the building’s design and details and the planning for its groundbreaking.

“The future Giant Lantern and Tourist Information Center will become a beacon for Filipinos and the rest of the world to witness the glitter and beauty of your city, your rich heritage and culture, and the Fernandinos’ ingenuity, artistry, and craftsmanship,” SMDC president Jose Mari Banzon said.

The Giant Lantern and Tourist Information Center is expected to be launched before the year ends. (PNA)