CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Barangay Sta. Lucia was hailed as this year’s champion of the Giant Lantern Festival (GLF).
Headed by Barangay Captain Herman Quiwa, it bested 11 other participating villages in the interplay of lights and colors Saturday at the Robinsons Starmills.
The village’s head lantern maker Byron Bondoc, accompanied by rotor maker Allen Joseph Quiwa and head electrician Joseph Salac, crafted this year’s 20-feet winning entry which is powered by a total of 9,400 colorful bulbs.
The Barangay Sta. Lucia lantern-making crew took home PhP150, 000 cash prize, a trophy designed by distinguished artist Toym Imao, and a whole year of bragging rights.
Meanwhile, Barangay Calulut emerged as 1st runner up and took home PhP100,000 cash prize and trophy.
Barangay Del Pilar was declared as the 2nd runner up which took home PhP75,000 cash prize and trophy; while Barangay Sindalan took home PhP50,000 and cash prize as this year’s 3rd runner up.
In his message before the start of the competition, City of San Fernando Mayor Edwin Santiago said the annual festival is a showcase of the brilliant artistry and fine craftsmanship of the Fernandino lantern makers that has been passed on to generations year after year.
“With this festival, we will continue to share our unique tradition, enhance craftsmanship and instill a sense of pride to every Fernandino. This creation of massive lanterns in our heritage is a reflection of our community culture we inherit from our ancestors years ago,” he said.
Other participating villages include San Pedro, Bulaon, San Juan, San Nicolas, Telabastagan, San Jose, San Agustin, and Sto. Niño.
This year’s GLF is the largest so far in terms of participating barangays since 2006.