(Manila, 20th) — San Fernando City, capital of Pampanga province in the Philippines, holds a grand Giant Lantern Festival every mid-December. The dazzling lantern displays light up the night sky and create a romantic Christmas atmosphere, showcasing the unique charm of the century-old tradition in this “City of Lanterns.”
The local lantern industry has a long history, starting with the first lantern festival in 1908. Each year, the competing lanterns can measure as much as six meters in diameter and take a 20-person team three months to craft. Illuminated by around 12,000 light bulbs, with a total wiring length of 15 kilometers, the lanterns symbolize the Star of Bethlehem. Each lantern weighs up to 1 metric ton and costs about 1 million pesos (around 70,000 ringgit).
Kuya, a 31-year-old lantern designer, is the sixth-generation inheritor of his family tradition. He stated that creating giant lanterns is not only a religious duty but also an important mission to continue the family heritage and bring joy to the public during Christmas. Sixteen-year-old student Hipolito, after seeing the creations, exclaimed: “It’s really beautiful and highlights the significance that the community gives to Christmas.”
However, the traditional craft is facing the challenge of waning interest among the younger generation. Parilia, a lantern designer with over 30 years of experience, admitted that fewer and fewer young people are willing to learn the craft, putting this cultural heritage at risk.