The “Christmas Capital of the Philippines” and the “Home of the Giant Lanterns”- the City of San Fernando- was named as the ‘top tourism hub’ in the Philippines by one of the country’s oldest existing newspapers, The Manila Times.
The Manila Times conferred the Tourism Hub Award to CSF during the ‘Top Philippine Model Cities and Municipalities Forum and Awards’ held June 19 at the Conrad Manila in Pasay City.
According to the broadsheet, the said award is given to a local government unit “with leaders who have made efforts to make its local and foreign tourists, including its residents, feel welcome.”
“City of San Fernando’s arts and cultures, including the ‘giant lanterns’, were excellently promoted through their consistent staging of events and activities. The ‘Giant Lantern Festival’ has become one of the vital factors why San Fernando becomes one of the Philippines’ tourism centrals,” expressed The Manila Times.
Meanwhile, Ching Pangilinan, City Tourism Officer, shared that the city’s ‘giant lanterns’ were highlighted since they contribute to the city’s efforts of preserving the cultural heritage and in the economic development, as well.
For his part, Mayor Edwin ‘EdSa’ Santiago imparted that aside from the ‘giant lanterns’, the Tourism Hub Award was given to CSF since it also celebrates other events which highlight Fernandino culture and heritage such ‘Maleldo’ (Holy Week celebration) and ‘Cultural Heritage Month’.
“Ang paggawad na ito ay senyales na ang Syudad San Fernando ay nagbibigay-halaga sa kultura at kasaysayan katulad ng mga higanteng parol, ang tradisyonal na pag-pepenitensya’t pagpapapako sa krus, at ang pagpapakilala ng mga pamana ng syudad tuwing Hunyo,” said Santiago.
Santiago added that these celebrations are being staged through the joint efforts of CSF-LGU officials, employees and staff, private sectors, and with the participation of the whole Fernandino community.
During the previous year, The Manila Times also recognized CSF as one of the Philippines’ top model cities and the country’s Most Business-Friendly City for the accountability, transparency, and efficiency of its quality management systems.
Themed “Making Cities More Inclusive”, the said event aimed “to honor the greenest and environmentally sustainable cities and municipalities.”