Pampanga capital starts countdown to giant lantern fest

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—This Pampanga capital began its 100-day countdown to the 82nd Giant Lantern Festival on Dec. 14, with the mayor looking forward to better times from reforms that could arise from the pork barrel scam.

“We want to end 2013 with lots of thanksgiving and welcome 2014 with lots of hope. Our country is on the cusp of changes from the possibilities of reforms that our national leaders can institute to correct the pork barrel system,” Mayor Edwin Santiago told the Inquirer on Thursday.

Each year, small and candle-lit lanterns accompany the processions of saints in the city during the nine Masses before Christmas. It is a Catholic tradition for a city that was carved out of its neighboring towns of Mexico and Bacolor in 1755.

By 1908, Francisco Estanislao made big lanterns out of bamboo and coco cloth for the big procession on Christmas Eve to the cathedral. Over time, lantern makers introduced innovations: using vehicle batteries to light the lanterns and steel as lantern frames, designing electric-powered rotors for a control board to enable the lights to be switched on and off, and embracing contemporary music instead of live bands to accompany the “dance” of the lanterns.

“This festival is a constant reminder of the Fernandinos’ exceptional tradition, creativity and ingenuity,” Santiago said.

Peasant unrest in the 1940s, martial rule in 1972, Mt. Pinatubo’s eruptions and subsequent lahar flows in 1991 failed to stop what local folks call “ligligan parul” or showdown of lanterns, according to Ernesto Quiwa, a grandson of Estanislao.

Started in 1931 in honor of first lady Aurora Quezon, the original contest lasted until the morning.

At the festival launch on  Thursday, Robinsons Land turned over P2.268 million to this year’s parade organizers to fund the event and to subsidize 12 villages that  are competing for the title of top maker of the biggest, most colorful and most beautifully designed lanterns.

This is the sixth time that Robinsons Land (through Robinsons Starmill here) is hosting the festival. Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon