ON DECEMBER 16, 2020, the most-anticipated “Ligligan Parul” or the Giant Lantern Festival (GLF) in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga (CSFP) will once again exhibit the biggest, brightest and most colorful show of the year.
For many decades, GLF has been the much-awaited giant lantern competition in the town.
But with the ongoing pandemic, the City Government and Giant Lantern Festival Foundation (GLFF) opted to just stage an exhibition.
“This year hindi siya competition, it will be purely exhibition kasi we have to understand and consider our situation, under the pandemic pa rin tayo. But we are pushing this as an exhibition para at least makapagbigay tayo ng saya sa bawat tahanan at maipagpatuloy ang tradisyong Fernandino,” said Engineer Felix Paras, GLF executive committee chairperson.
The festival will also conquer the digital hive this 2020 to avoid physical gatherings and ensure public health.
Mayor Edwin "EdSa" Santiago further encouraged everyone to stay and watch the festival in their homes for their safety and security.
“The celebration may be a little different this year, but the message that these lanterns want to give remains the same—hope and unity,” Santiago said.
The live exhibition on December 16 will be broadcasted on CLTV 36 and its cable partners.
Fernandinos may also join in the livestream through the Facebook Pages of CSFP City Information Office, City Tourism, Giant Lantern Festival and CLTV 36.
For this year, seven barangays—Sto. Niño, San Nicolas, San Juan, Sta. Lucia, Bulaon, Telebastagan, and Calulut—will showcase their masterpieces.
City Tourism Officer Ching Pangilinan said the City Government had worked hand-in-hand with the GLF Foundation headed by Alfrito “Bong Ma” Mah and private sectors to generate funds and subsidize expenses of participating barangays.
“Iba yung hinaharap nating pandemya ngayon kaya malaki ang paghahanda ng City Government at GLF committee. Masaya tayo sa tulong at assistance ng private sector sa atin. Walang sawa ang pasasalamat ko sa private sector,” Pangilinan remarked.
From December 16 to 23, the exhibition at Robinsons Starmills Pampanga will be streamed live thru Giant Lantern Festival social media sites.
Walk-ins will not be allowed and Robinsons Starmills is yet to issue guidelines for those who wish to drive in and watch the exhibition. (PR)