The
dynamic interplay of lights and color that precisely
move with the rhythm of brass band, the magnitude
of size and their intricate designs, and so much
more, these are what spectators get to marvel at
as the giant lantern of San Fernando is the event
that the province of Pampanga is most known for.
And it is because of these giant lanterns and the
San Fernando lantern-making industry that the City
of San Fernando has been dubbed the “Christmas
Capital of the Philippines”.
Old
folks say that the first lantern festival was held
in 1928, to honor President Manuel L. Quezon, who
was made an adopted son of Pampanga. At that time,
Quezon made Arayat his rest area and converted the
legendary Mount Arayat his rest area and converted
legendary Mount Arayat into a tourist resort. As
a show of gratitude to Quezon, the people of San
Fernando held a Christmas lantern contest to honor
the first family. Quezon himself donated the prize
for this lantern contest, which was personally awarded
to the winner by First Lady Aurora Aragon Quezon.
In the years that followed, more innovations were
introduced to the giant lanterns. Colored plastic
replaced the traditional papel de hapon. Large steel
barrels called rotors also substituted the hand-controlled
switches to manipulate the light. And lanterns have
grown in size, approximately 20-feet today and illuminated
by about 3, 500 to 5, 000 lightbulbs.
The result, a magnificent display of Fernandino
artistry! So come and watch the Giant Lantern Festival
every December, only in the City of San Fernando,
Pampanga… the undisputed Christmas Capital
of the Philippines!
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