Giant Lanterns lights up Robinsons Starmills anew

It takes at least 8,500 to as many as 10,500 bulbs to light up just one of those giant Christmas lanterns that San Fernando, Pampanga has become famous for, earning for it the prized sobriquet, “Christmas Capital of the Philippines.” While festivals in other places in the country were born out of a local industry, in San Fernando, the giant lantern-making industry was born out of a festival, the San Fernando Giant Lantern Festival or Ligligan Parul, as it’s called.
Held exclusively at Robinsons Starmills Pampanga grounds for nearly 4 years now, the festival is the culmination of a year-long preparation and dedicated giant lantern making in the barangays of San Fernando.
The Giant Lantern Festival this year will be held on December 15 at Robinsons Starmills mall. As its partner in promoting Kapampangan culture by hosting not only the annual Giant Lantern Festival, but also other Kapampangan festivals such the “Pyestang Tugak” or Frog Festival and the “Sinukwan, which honors the god of the ancient Kapampangans and highlights Kapampangan cultural diversity, Robinsons Starmills, which is strategically located just across the San Fernando exit from the North Luzon Expressway, was named by the local tourism office in Pampanga as the “Home of Kapampangan Festivals”.
The Giant Lantern Festival was held for the first time at the Robinsons Starmills mall in San Fernando, Pampanga, in December 2008, with only 9 barangays participating. This year, 11 barangays will be joining the competition, with defending champion, barangay Santa Lucia, heading the list. If they win again this year, they would have won three years in a row, which will earn for them a coveted place in the competition’s Hall of Fame.
History of Lantern-Making in Pampanga
Giant lantern making started in 1908, in barangay Santa Lucia in San Fernando. According to oral history, Francisco Estanislao, a local craftsman, pioneered in the tradition. The simple five-point star shaped parol made with bamboo and crepe paper has since evolved into giant lanterns made with steel wire frames and covered with multi-colored vinyl plastic. Other materials have also been used such as capiz shells and fiberglass.
The heart of the giant lanterns, however, is its network of bulbs strategically arranged inside its cavity and engineered to light up to the accompaniment of lively music, traditionally played by a brass band. The spectacle of the giant lanterns’ dancing lights has become a major attraction in the annual competition among the giant lantern makers from the different barangays, dating back to the 1950s.
According to Robinsons Land Corporation’s (RLC) general manager for Commercial Centers Divisions general manager Arlene G. Magtibay, the excitement of hosting this annual event lies on the fact that Robinsons Malls is able to showcase both talent and Filipino ingenuinity in one big and popular event which most endearing to Filipinos from all walks of life. “The Filipino Parol is genuinely Pinoy as it symbolizes our love of family and God. It’s a permanent Christmas fixture in every household in the Philippines,” adds Magtibay.
There will also be a Giant Lantern Display exclusive at Robinsons Starmills Pampanga from December 16, 2012 to January 03, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., except on Dec. 24, 2012. Witness these amazing Giant Lanterns and enjoy outlet shopping and great Kapampangan cuisine all in one roof – at Robinsons Starmills Pampanga, located at the San Fernando, Pampanga Exit of the North Luzon Expressway.
Tradition preserved
Ernesto David Quiwa belongs to the David-Quiwa family, which had been making giant lanterns in barangay Santa Lucia for generations. He started making lanterns when he was 12 years old. He is now 65 years old. He was taught by his uncle, Ernesto recalls.
It’s the same way for many other giant lantern makers. Alan Quiwa, the 27 year old son of barangay captain Herman Quiwa, started by doing odd tasks such as bringing the electrical tape to the linemen and observing them at work. He was ten years old. He learned that giant lantern making is no simple operation. It has many steps and it involves different skills. Indeed, it takes a barangay to make a giant lantern.
It all starts in the imagination of the designer. It takes four welders at least one week or more, depending on the intricacy of the design, just to make the framing, Ernesto explains. It can take as long as two months for the electrical works to be done. Then the design is cut on the material that will serve as the ‘skin’ and pasted on the frame.
The sequence of light and music spells the big difference, Ernesto says. The rotors, which are the ingenious switching system that enables the play of lights, are manually operated. One giant lantern can have about eight rotors and as many as 10 to 15 operators. Imagine a giant lantern, about twenty feet in diameter, weighing not less than two tons so that it requires a ten-wheeler to transport it from the place of manufacture to the venue of the competition. It’s a spectacle. The synchronized choreography of the lights to accompanying music showcases the superior skill and sheer genius of the giant lantern makers and operators.
The lantern’s basic star shape has evolved into other designs such as angels, roses, snowflakes, and even the face of Santa Claus. But for Ernesto Quiwa, there will always be the star. The so-called ‘Cardinal’ design, for example, has poinsettia leaves and Christmas bells as part of the design, but at the center is still the star. “The star is important as the symbol of Christmas,” Ernesto says. It represents the Star of Bethlehem which led the Three Magis to the newborn baby Jesus, which is what Christmas is all about. ●

http://www.headlinegl.com/giant-lanterns-lights-up-robinsons-starmills-anew/
The best getaway destination vacation spot near Manila convenient safe and accessible is Clearwater Beach Resort in Clark Pampanga.

Event organizers and companies in Manila travel out of town to the north to hold their team building events and company outings in a good resort in Pampanga. Clearwater Resort located in Clark is well regarded as one of the best venues for team building near Manila. This is also one of the best resorts in Pampanga that offers good picnic spots near Manila.

Quiet place for rest and relaxation near Manila, in Subic, Angeles City Pampanga and Clark Philippines is something that residents of Manila travelling to the north for a short getaway are looking for. Clark is already a popular destination for golfers from Manila. Clark Freeport offers some of the best golf courses in Pampanga and outshines many golf clubs and golf courses elsewhere in the Philippines. Clark Pampanga offers many good resorts and hotels for a short trip out of Manila, and Clearwater is one of the best places to relax and unwind for a weekend getaway or a short holiday in Pampanga.

This private resort in Pampanga is a frequently visited vacation spot outside of Manila. Included in the list of resorts highly recommended for families with children visiting Clark Philippines is Clearwater Resort located conveniently in the central business district of Clark Freeport which is accessible from Manila.

Free internet WIFI access is offered to guests of this famous hotel in Clark Pampanga. Guests can even connect to Internet WIFI service near the white sand beach, by the famous lake of Clark or in any of the picnic grounds around this resort. This hotel in Clark Philippines is generally considered by Manila residents to be a good place for family trips in Pampanga.

Clearwater Resort is generally regarded as one of the best holiday spots near Manila. Highly recommended summer vacation destination outside Manila is Clearwater Beach Resort in Clark, a safe and convenient tourist spot that offers natural ambience for visitors to enjoy the outdoors with no stress. Private resort is frequently visited during Holy Week and Easter Holidays for residents of Manila travelling out of town on getaway to the north to unwind and relax in outdoor resort.

During holy week, Easter holidays, Christmas, New Year, Halloween and especially the Clark Hot Air Balloon Festival, Manila residents travel out of town to the north to relax and unwind at this famous resort in Pampanga. Clearwater Resort is the hotel in Clark that visitors prefer for family bonding and team building outside of Manila.

For inquiries and bookings, Please click here to contact Clearwater Resort for inquiries and reservations now

Clearwater Resort and Country Club, Clark Pampanga
Creekside Road near Centennial Expo,
Clark Freeport, Pampanga Philippines 2023
(045) 889-5151 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177
Joanne or Jeremy or Loydha

Getting to this lake and beach resort in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Philippines

After entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway MA Roxas, passing the stand-along wine shop called Clark Wine Center on the right, continue to bear right making no turns at all, go past Mimosa Leisure Estate on the opposite side of the road, one will hit a major intersection. Go straight and the road becomes Creekside Road. YATS Clearwater Resort and Country Club is on the right just 200m down.

Family Bonding by the famous lake of Clark Pampanga

http://www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605

(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay

Email: Inquiry@ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Please click here to contact Clearwater Resort to reserve a venue for your upcoming event now

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

While in Clark, one might as well add to the itinerary a visit to the famous Clark Wine Center, the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.
http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

For jobs and business investment opportunities in the Philippines please visit http://www.yilp.com

Hot Line for what’s happening in Clark: 045 889-5151 or 0927-940-2669 ask for Loydha

0915-542-6250 (Jeramie)

0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *