AFTER more than a century, a rose has finally blossomed in the field of giant lantern making in the City of San Fernando with the entry of the first female lead lantern maker in this year’s Giant Lantern Festival (GLF).
Maryanne S. Torres is the rose among the 10 thorns of master lantern makers, including four-peat winner Teddy Aguilar, Rolando Quiambao and Ernesto Quiwa and Arvin Quiwa of the prominent giant lantern making clan.
Torres is leading the 19-man team of lantern makers from Barangay San Jose, accompanied by head electrician Marcelino Ambrocio and rotor maker Rolando Ambrocio.
They hope to bring back the coveted revolving GLF championship trophy to Barangay San Jose.
Torres, 36, is part of the second generation of lantern makers in the family. Her father, the late Cesareo “Deo” Sason, started the lantern-making tradition in the 60s.
Sason, who passed away in 2015, was the long-time lantern maker of the podium-finishing entries of Barangay San Jose for GLF competitions.
In an exclusive interview with Sun.Star Pampanga, Torres shared that she has been part of giant lantern making for over a decade now, but this year will be the first time that she is on the frontline.
“As early as 1998, I was already helping my father with his entries in the GLF. I was part of the brainstorming and concept making, and I usually draw the designs,” Torres said.
Being the face of Barangay San Jose’s entry this year, Torres shared her excitement and nervousness, especially that she is bound to succeed her father’s award-winning legacy by competing with 10 male lantern makers.
“I am excited because I will be able to continue the legacy of my father, but of course the pressure is here because of the same reason,” she said.
Asked about her design for her GLF debut, Torres shared a sneak peak of her concept which will feature an ethnic design that will be lit up by thousands of colorful bulbs wrapped around the 20-foot giant lantern.
“I wanted to make a mark on my debut, and hopefully it will be through bringing back home the championship trophy,” she stressed.