Giant Lantern Festival {Fatravelist}

A month ago we planned to observe the Kapampangan annual celebration of Giant Lantern Festival (Ligligan Parul)2012 in City of San Fernando, Pampanga.

The City is also known as "The Christmas Capital of the Philippines". San Fernando City is famous in making colorful and attractive lantern. This intricate giant parol are designed and hand crafted by Baranagay who joined the competition.

Ligligan Parul Competition is a showdown of Giant Lantern (not more than 20 feet high) twinkled thousands light bulbs in a tune of Christmas song.

We called the Giant Lantern Committee 2 days before the festival for details and ticket reservation, unluckily there is no more tickets available for us but that can't stop us from seeing this amazing giant lantern. LOL

1:30PM when we left Bulacan and exact 3:00PM when we arrived in San Fernando City.

We went to Robinsons Starmills as the competition will be held at the open parking space at the back side of Robinsons. Right after we arrived we quickly looked for free tickets for early birds like us. haha

And seems like our destinies change because they are currently giving tickets that time. Swerte!
Take note: Ligligan Tickets are open to public and FREE!

4:30PM when they let us in and since we are early we get a chance to choose a seats(first come first serve). They also allowed us to bring our food inside and a chance to took early picture at the event LOL

Booth was also set-up to raised fund and donation for the victims of recent typhoon Pablo in Mindanao.

Exact 6PM when they start the event on a Thank you Prayer and Pambasang Awit ng Pilipinas then followed by History of Ligligan Festival then few Intermission number from our beloved Kapampangan.

11 Barangay's will be fighting for Giant Lantern Festival (GLF) crown.
12 Judges will decide who will be the 2012 GLF winner.

Grand Price: 120,000 Pesos, Trophy and 2 Scholarships from STI.
1st Price:  60,000 Pesos, Trophy and 2 Scholarships from STI.
2nd Price: 40,000 Pesos, Trophy and 2 Scholarship from STI.

8PM when they started the competition. 

Round 1 Each Giant Lantern have 7 Mins to performed and show how thousands of light bulbs dazzled and dance on a tune of their choice of music.

Round 2: Giant Lantern were group into 3 and they will performed in one tune.

Round 3: All Giant Lantern will have a showdown in 1 Chistmas Music

In the end Barangay Del Pilar won the Giant Lantern Festival crown. Congrats Brgy Del Pilar!

Del Pilar at the back stage

Electrician Antonio Manaloto said that they have been preparing and practicing almost every night for two months to deliver the right colors combinations. 

Del Pilar lantern maker Rainier DeVeraTurda said that they used 8,500 bulbs worth P300,000, which is lesser and nine rotors and none of it was broken.

Telebastagan 2 face parol ended on 1st place runner up then San Jose got the 2nd runner up place that night.

The Festival Ended on an eye catching fireworks.

Our eyes are so amazed on this spectacular Giant Parul. Truly a Masterpiece!
Witnessing this interplay light and colors along with Christmas song make me feel the yuletide seasons :D