PAMPANGA, Philippines – ‘Tis that season again and the streets of the self-styled Christmas capital of the Philippines, the City of San Fernando in Pampanga, are again all aglow with yuletide lanterns, known locally as parol. When it turned 50 days before Christmas, the city foisted parol all along the highway, twinkling brightly every night and attracting tourists to Pampanga during the Christmas season.
A post by the CSFP information office said this year’s designers — Arvin Quiwa, Mark Flores, Marlon Tayag, and Roland Quiambao — have lit up with their lanterns in 14 locations in the city. The city’s tourism officer, Ching Pangilinan, told Rappler that this year their goal was the sustainability of the festivity.
History of parul
According to oral history, it was the Lubenas tradition, a parade with lanterns lighting up statues of patron saints as parishioners go to church to attend the Misa de Gallo which sparked the interest of Fernandinos or the citizens San Fernando, in parul-making.
The story goes because the Kapampangan had the inclination to do better than current traditions, the average colored paper and sticks parol was just not enough for them. This started the tradition of crafting giant lanterns as early as 1908. In 1930, the Giant Lantern Festival started. It used to be a “royal rumble” as Pangilinan described it. She said, “The festival used to have no rules. Matira matibay until bulbs went off.” Eventually, the competition came up with its official guidelines.
The festival became a showcase of the creativity of the barangays in San Fernando – with different giant lanterns pulsating to accompanied music. The parol’s twinkling lights interplayed with music were operated by rotor technology.
The parol is now the Sam Fernando’s greatest pride, with lanterns now seen here all year round. Pangilinan said that these lanterns were now also used for other special occasions in the city. “We had lanterns for Valentine’s Day, Independence Day, even before our Christmas displays” she said.
The city, which is the capital of Pampanga province, is so proud of its homegrown product it has branded it as Parul Sampernando. The city now one of Pampanga’s largest lantern suppliers, with the Clark Parade Grounds as of its patrons.
Sustainability
In partnership with Firefly, an electronics brand, the Giant Lantern and Tourist Information Center took a step towards sustainability with this year’s displays.
For the first time, San Fernando will launch this year its first all-LED giant lantern operated using rotors. LED lanterns use less energy to operate and will have a longer lifespan. These materials are also known to be mostly, if not entirely, free from toxic chemicals.
Participants of the giant lantern festival this year are required to have at least 30% LED materials in their entries. Pangilinan is positive that this will be a great contribution to their advocacy. “But I think some are going for 100%. So, it’s going to be part of our sustainability advocacy in the festival.”
Regarding the street displays, Pangilinan said that the lanterns were now designed to withstand all weather conditions and strong winds, instead of being overly grand. “Based on our experience, if the parol is too big, especially in the streets, strong winds can easily pass through. So, we’re testing a new approach,” the tourism officer added.
Preservation of humanity
Together with the sustainability effort, the city’s tourism office assured that the holiday tradition of community building remained at the heart of the festival. Pangilinan said that, despite technological advancement, the essence of the festival lies in how communities unite. “The spirit of bayanihan in the communities (are) the values that the parol stands for. Because, I think, the lantern, it’s not just decorative for us, it’s really part of a bigger way of life of the people.” she said.
The parol also serve as a showcase of Filipino talent, with opportunities to export them internationally through trade missions, business ventures, and cultural projects.
“I think the parol is our best gift to the world,” Pangilinan added, highlighting its significance to the city’s economy and society. Fernandinos eagerly anticipate the lantern displays from each barangay on December 14 at Robinsons Starmills, Barangay Dolores at the Giant Lantern Festival 2024. – Rappler.com
Aya Ranas is a 2nd year Communication student and a scholar at National University Clark, Pampanga. An editor-in-chief and founder of the Nationalian Clarion, she is also an Aries Rufo Journalism Fellow of Rappler for 2024.