CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—The Pampanga lantern or “Parul Sampernandu” made history as the official Philippine representative to the Jerusalem Festival of Lights at the Tower of David in Israel from June to July this year.
This is considered a cherry on top as lantern-makers of Pampanga report brisk sales less than two weeks before Christmas Day.
The Pampanga lantern was featured in prominent locations abroad, including Geneva’s main train station, Gare Cornavin, to give residents and visitors a glimpse of Filipino culture.
It was also reported that Filipinos as far as Ostend, Belgium, and Viareggio, Italy; Toronto, Canada and Republic of Palau were able to see the Pampanga lanterns through live streaming on social media, as well as live coverage of local television networks.
As a result, the Pampanga lantern has emerged as a new symbol of peace, love, hope and freedom worldwide other than its traditional recognition as an enduring Christmas icon to the great delight of lantern-makers here who are reporting a windfall in business.
On December 15 the annual giant lantern competition will have 10 competitors in this city, which has gained recognition as the Christmas capital of the Philippines.
The competitors include the return of barangays San Pedro and Del Carmen along with last year’s participants: Barangays Sindalan, Calulut, Telabastagan, San Agustin, Santa Lucia, Del Pilar, Del Rosario and four-peat champion Dolores.
The giant lantern competition, or “Ligligan Parul,” will be held at local mall, which have reportedly prepared a bigger venue for the festival to accommodate the growing number of local and foreign tourists.
The giant lantern competition is now on its 110th year and organizers said they made the festival bigger to allow more Capampangans and visitors to enjoy the annual Christmas tradition.