2012 Lantern Festival set

THE 2012 Giant Lantern Festival is now set as the city of San Fernando, Robinsons Land Corporation, together with regional television network CLTV 36 signed an agreement last Friday.

The signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) was witnessed by members of the 2012 GLF executive committee chaired by Architect Yolanda Reyes.

According to GLF officials, nine barangays namely Sta. Lucia, San Jose, Del Carmen, San Pedro, Dolores, Telabastagan, Sto. Niño, Del Pilar, and Calulut are vying for the top prize and trophy.

Robinsons has upped its sponsorship to P1.9 million for the GLF 2012 to be held at the Robinsons Starmills on December 15, 2012.

“This promises to be a grander lantern festival with thousands expected to watch the world renowned display of Fernandino and Kapampangan ingenuity. We thank the city government for partnering with us again and we vow to support this annual tradition and event seen only in San Fernando,” Jodee Paulette Arroyo, Robinson’s Land group property manager said.

City Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, who was present in the signing of agreement, said the Giant Lantern Festival, along with the famed “Parul Sampernandu” or Fernandino lanterns continue to gain recognition internationally.

“Our famous lanterns have been in display worldwide like in New York, Venice, Beijing, Hawaii and many other countries. The most recent is a request from Poland whose ambassador personally to see the lanterns for himself. The giant lantern festival has gained headway, especially it gets bigger every year,” he said.

CLTV 36, meanwhile, forged its agreement with the city for the live telecast of the festival.

“Once again, it will be seen live by hundreds of thousands of viewers across the region,” Ching Pangilinan, City Tourism officer, said. (Jovi T. De Leon)