GLF chair: Lantern fest symbol of hope, resilience
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - “The Giant Lantern Festival (GLF) is not just a mere competition or attraction but a symbol of hope and perseverance of a united community.”
This was how GLF 2017 Chairperson Virgilio “Gil” Cortez described the 109 year-old Christmas tradition of this capital city.
Cortez said that the giant lanterns presented in the festival are powerful symbols of hope for a brighter tomorrow to Fernandinos and Kapampangans.
“Lanterns are traditionally sources of light so they are powerful symbols of hope especially since the giant lanterns of San Fernando are made even very special because putting them up takes a whole community, literally,” he said.
Cortez noted that the creation of each colorful and giant “parul”or lantern is a fruit of the unity and solidarity of residents of barangayr epr esent at i ves.
He stressed that the conception of the lanterns are the times when local officials and simple residents join together to come up with a winning entry.
“Giant lantern making involves the whole barangay and the festival which is set every Christmas. The last month of the year is sort of a culmination of the months that the community survived together,” he noted. Cortez also said that the century-old Christmas festival is a manifestation of the resilience of the City of San Fernando and the whole province of Pampanga as well.
He stressed that during the festival, people from all over the province join together to witness the lighting of colorful lanterns despite the struggles they face, whether personal or in the community.
“GLF is a celebration and thanksgiving. That’s why it is a tradition that has survived various calamities, onset of modern technology, and many other setbacks and development because it is a timeless and very precious community tradition,” Cortez said.
This year’s GLF is set on December 16 where 11 villages from San Fernando City will compete for the prestigious and colorful title. The participating barangays are Calulut, Del Pilar, first-timer Del Rosario, Pandaras, San Jose, San Juan, San Nicolas, Sindalan, Sta. Lucia, Sto. Nino and Telabastagan.