Melo Villareal
Giant Lantern Festival 2014 – A Spectacle of a Life of Extravagance and Grandeur
The parol or star lantern is the epitome of Filipino Christmas. Its colors, embellishments and lights all symbolize the colors and festive mood of the Yuletide season as well as the undying hope of the people. And the intricate designs of those lighted stars are proof of the untiring efforts of the Filipinos, more so their ingenuity and innovation. This is why you can expect to find a parol in almost every home in the country, especially in San Fernando City, Pampanga.
Giant Lantern Festival Barangay Santa Lucia Entry (2010 and 2011 Grand Winner, 2nd Place 2013) photo courtesy of Wikipedia
The parol is the main highlight of one of the biggest festivals in the country, the Giant Lantern Festival 2014, which is held in San Fernando City in Pampanga. Also known as “Ligligan Parul”, this spectacle happens every year every last Saturday before Christmas.
Pampanga Giant Lantern Festival photo by Oleyography via Flickr Creative Commons
This year, the Giant Lantern Festival 2014 is set to be held in 13 December 2014 at Robinsons Starmills, Pampanga. The highlight of the event is, of course, the parade and competition of larger than life, extravagant and glamorous lights, colors and kaleidoscopic patterns. The crowd will be serenaded by joyful Christmas carols that will be sung by representatives from different barangays in San Fernando.
This is the schedule of activities for the Giant Lantern Festival 2014:
| ACTIVITY | DATE and VENUE |
| Giant Lantern Christmas Bazaar | November 14, 2014 – January 4, 2015 Robinsons Starmills
|
| Unveiling Schedule of Activities/Launch of Giant Lantern Festival Website | December 1, 2014 – 8:00AM City Hall Atrium
|
| Judging of Inter-Village Lantern Competition | December 1 to 4, 2014 – 6:00PM onwards CSFP |
| Inter School Lantern Parade Competition (Elementary & Highschool) | December 5, 2014 – 6:00PM |
| Giant Lantern Festival Competition and Giant Lantern Festival Street Party | December 13, 2014 – 7:00PM to 10:00PM onwards Robinsons Starmills
|
| Lubenas | December 15 to 23, 2014 – every nightPoblacion Area
|
| Lantern Exhibition | December 14 to 21, 2014 – 6:00PM Robinsons Starmills
|
| December 22, 2014 – 7:00PM Telabastagan | |
| December 23, 2014 – 7:00PM Greenfields, Sindalan
| |
| December 24, 2014 – 11:00PM Poblacion
| |
| December 25 to 27, 2014 and January 1 to 3, 2015 – 7:00PM Robinsons Starmills | |
| December 27 to 28, 2014 Marquee Mall
|
This gigantic festival of colorful lanterns in the Philippines has become quite popular not only to local tourists, but also to foreigners from various countries. This is why San Fernando has been titled the “Christmas Capital of the Philippines”.
