CITY OF SAN FERNANDO---The Christmas spirit is already felt in the City of San Fernando as the local government, headed by Mayor Edwin Santiago, formally lit the “Parul San Fernando” along Jose Abad Santos Avenue (Jasa) and other major thoroughfares here, Monday night.
The ceremonial light-up of lantern decorations is annually held to mark the beginning of Yuletide season in the city—dubbed as the Christmas Capital of the Philippines.
Some 55 post lights were decorated with white lanterns while footbridges and flyovers in the city’s major thoroughfares were adorned with colorful traditional lanterns.
Lantern maker Roland Quiambao said this year’s concept is a mixture of modern and traditional style that highlights the bright colors and intricate designs of the lanterns.
“Gumamit kami ng LED bulbs dun sa mga puting parol para maliwanag silang tingnan. Tapos incandescent bulbs naman yung ginamit para doon sa mga makukulay na parol para mas tumingkad yung iba’t-ibang kulay,” Quaimbao added.
Santiago lauded the creative efforts of the technical working group and the local craftsman for producing astonishing lanterns that Fernandinos can be proud of.
Santiago added that these lanterns are symbols of the new vision of the city which states: “City of San Fernando (P), Home of the Giant Lanterns, A Model City of Countryside Development.”
“Truly we are claiming to be the home of the giant lanterns dahil ang mga parol na ito ang sumisimbolo sa ating pagiging kapampangan at Fernandino. Ang mga ito rin ang kumakatawan sa ating makulay at matatag na kultura,” the city mayor explained.
Also present during the event were Councilors BJ Lagman and Reden Halili, members of the Giant Lantern Foundation Inc. headed by President Alfrito Mah, Giant Lantern Festival 2017 Executive Committee chaired by Gil Cortez, City Investment Promotions Office officer-in-charge Engineer Remedios Agoncillo and other department heads from city hall. (PR)