Thursday, December 27, 2007 Councilor thanked for support to 'parul' By Albert B. Lacanlale
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Residents of Barangay Telabastagan here, who are still in frenzy over the barangay's triumph in the recently held Giant Lantern Festival (GLF) 2007, aired in unison their gratitude to a city councilor whom they said, is their silent supporter in joining the event.
Led by barangay chairman Remigio de Jesus, the residents of Telabastagan thanked two-term Councilor Jimmy Lazatin, who had been one of their ardent supporters in gunning for the coveted crown of GLF, which is locally known as "Ligligan Parul."
Telabastagan, which started joining the competition only in 2006, shut off Barangay San Felipe's chances of winning a back-to-back championship crown.
Wowing the judges composed mostly of foreign ambassadors, Telabastagan was practically a dark horse in the contest lorded over by veteran lantern makers from San Pedro Cutud and del Pilar.
De Jesus said their 2006 entry in the lantern festival was bolstered by the promise of support from Lazatin, which was fulfilled although their entry did not even make it in the winning circle of last year's competition.
Lazatin family owns a large chunk of land in Barangay Telabastagan, where they operate a big supermarket and high-end subdivision.
The residents said Lazatin did not only provide financial assistance but also lots of moral support to the lantern makers and ordinary folks who helped in putting the lantern pieces together.
With the win, Telabastagan rose to infamy in the annual festivity that has become a byword in the lists of international tourism events.
