CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — For the third time in a row, Barangay Dolores has emerged champion of the decades-old ‘Ligligan Parul’ (Christmas Lantern) competition.
The 20-foot lantern of Barangay Dolores, made up of more than 14,000 pulsating colored lightbulbs, bested nine other lanterns from participating barangays in the city. The entry of Barangay Dolores apparently impressed the judges.
For winning the grand slam feat, Barangay Dolores has made history in the annual Grand Lantern Fest (GLF).
Seasoned lantern-makers led by Ted Aguilar spent three months to create the intricate lantern. Its rotors were crafted by barangay kagawad Rogelio “Ruming” Santos.
Barangay Dolores chairwoman Vilma Caluag admits the pressure to win in this year’s installation of the world-renowned festival is “three times that of their victory in 2014.”
“Aside from a pressure to simply win, we are now on the verge of winning the coveted grand slam trophy,” said Caluag while their team was making final tuning of the lantern. –Albert Lacanlale/Contributor