CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Some 11 bloggers from Manila on Saturday toured around this city in line with the 110th anniversary celebration of the Giant Lantern Festival.

The event was coordinated by the Tourism Promotion and Caravan Sub Committee, YALLA Book of Coupons, and Giant Lantern Festival Foundation Inc.

Bernadette Tapnio, the Tourism Promotion and Caravan Sub Committee Secretariat and Tourism Operations Officer, said that the event promotes the Giant Lantern Festival with the help of the Manila-based bloggers.

“We venture something new. That’s the reason why we asked help from bloggers fresh from Manila because before, we were only asking help from local bloggers. Now, we added something new that would make Giant Lantern Festival spread more outside City of San Fernando,” Tapnio added.

The bloggers tour is on its second year and the first time for Manila bloggers to blog about the food, lantern making, and heritage sites of City of San Fernando.

The bloggers visited heritage sites in the city by riding calesas starting from LA Bakeshop Dolores Branch to Heroes Hall, City Hall, Metropolitan Cathedral, Hizon-Paras House, Henson-Hizon House, Lazatin House, Consunji House, Tabacalera House, Hizon-Ocampo House, Hizon-Singian House, Augusto P. Hizon House, Pampanga Hotel, Baluyut Bridge, and San Fernando Train Station.

The bloggers then got a taste of the flavors of Parmisanos, Meats and Match, Roberto’s, Café Noelle, Orange Bucket, and 4MDS Manukan and Ihaw-Ihaw.

A lantern making demonstration by master lantern maker Roland Quiambao also took place at Rolren’s Lantern Factory and General Merchandise in Barangay Del Pilar.

A sneak peek of making the giant lantern of Barangay Telabastagan headed by another master lantern maker named Arnel Flores happened.

A blogger named Vanessa Lavadia, also known as “Bunny SA” in the blog world, expressed her thoughts about the city.

“At first, I wasn’t really aware that City of San Fernando is called the Christmas Capital of the Philippines. I first thought it was just part of being a culinary haven since it is located in Pampanga. But when I found out they actually make lanterns here, I was very shocked and at the same time amazed since lanterns made by Kapampangans are now known around the world. I feel so proud that I have kababayans who all showcase craft overseas, locally and nationally,” Lavadia said.

Mini lanterns were given away to the participants by the Lantern Makers Association of San Fernando.