Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Thousands of tourists in and out of the country witnessed the 108th Ligligan Parul or Giant Lantern Festival in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga on Saturday.
Entries from 10 barangays wowed the crowd from the individual and group display until the ultimate showdown, where all competing giant lanterns performed simultaneously to upbeat music.
The larger than life lanterns were 20 feet in diameter and made up of more than 10,000 light bulbs.
After three rounds of competition, Barangay Dolores emerged as the champion, putting them into the hall of fame for winning three consecutive years. Their prize included a trophy and ₱150,000 in cash.
Brgy. Calulut won second place, while Brgy. Sindalan took the third prize.
Mr. Teddy Aguilar, tricycle driver and lantern maker, was ecstatic about their district’s grand slam win.
“Super saya. Sa wakas natupad na rin pangarap ng mga lantern maker, yung magkaroon ng grand slam,” he said.
[Translation:I’m very happy. Finally, the lantern makers’ wish of having a grand slam victory has come true.]
Aguilar said he is dedicating his victory to the rest of his team, who worked just as hard as he did.
“Sa mga kasama ko, kung wala sila hindi ko siguro nakuha yung grand slam,” he said.
[Translation: To my teammates, I would have never gotten the grand slam without you.]
Aguilar also hopes that the City of San Fernando will continue to honor its century-long tradition of holding the Giant Lantern Parade.
“Kailangan maipagpatuloy ng San Fernando ang giant lantern dahil ito ang tradisyon dito e,” he added.
[Translation: San Fernando has to continue the Giant Lantern Festival because it is the tradition here.]
Organizers said the parade was a successful event, and that the crowd this year was larger than the one in 2015.
Ching Pangilinan, San Fernando City Tourism Head, said this year’s festival was particularly special because it led to an addition in the competition’s hall of fame.
“Maganda yung kinalabasan ng festival natin ngayong gabi. Napakaganda yung naging panahon at naging resulta dahil matagal ng walang hall of fame,” Pangilinan said.
[Translation: Our festival turned out very nicely. The weather and the results were great since there hasn’t been an addition to the hall of fame in a long time.”]
Still in awe of the designs and interplay of colors, judges admitted they had a really hard time choosing between the lanterns.
Martin Slabber, a competition judge, said the level of competition the festival had was one of a kind.
“It’s been a wonderful privilege for me to be here. It’s the first time I experienced it. The competition was so high.”
Slabber also added that the festival was a great showcase of world-class Filipino culture.
“It’s a wonderful example of the culture of the Philippines and Pampanga that you should really take outside so many people from all over the world will enjoy,” he said.
The Giant Lantern Festival spans a century and has become a symbol of hope and light for Kapampangans who have survived strong typhoons, the Mount Pinatubo eruption and other calamities.
A dazzling show of lights and a showcase of the ingenuity and innovation of Fernandinos, the festival is a Christmas tradition that no calamity can break.
