Del Pilar shines in Giant Lantern Fest

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Master lantern maker Rainer De Vera Turda has put back Barangay Del Pilar into the championship roster of the Giant Lantern Festival (GLF) last Saturday at the Robinsons Starmills here after it bagged the coveted festival trophy and cash prize of P120,000.
In has been many years since Barangay Del Pilar kept the crown but De Vera Turda and his crew — rotor maker Obardo Yumang and head electrician Antonio Manaloto, Jr. — pulled out a series of tricks and revealed its secret plays to stun reigning champion Barangay Sta. Lucia and its 10,000 bulb-10 rotor power, dashing its hopes of hitting the grand slam of the GLF before thousands of spectators.
“It was perfect timing. Our rotor drivers moved in harmony with the music to show the best of the lanterns’ hues, colors, shades and play from the more than 9,000 bulbs powered by 10 rotors. It’s been a long time since we won the championship but now we are back,” De Vera Turda told Sun.Star Pampanga.
Barangay captain Bernardo “Pandoy” Policarpio, meanwhile, thanked the people of Del Pilar who supported the lantern makers and for making the entry the “Texters Choice” awardee.
“Thank you very much to all who supported us. Del Pilar is back to its glory days and we will do our best to hold on to the trophy in the festivals to come. Congratulations too, to all the winners and participants,” said Policarpio.
The ‘Jinx’
The Del Pilar lantern team expressed optimism that they could finally break the “GLF jinx” where no winner ever made a grand slam. Del Pilar has posted the most number of wins in GLF history, bagging the championship title nine times during the ‘80s.
But according to senior tourism officer Ching Pangilinan-Gonzales, no lantern entry ever made it three years in a row in recent GLF history.
“During the time that Telabastagan was aiming for the grand slam, Barangay Dolores broke its winning streak. This year, the same seemingly jinx happened to Sta. Lucia with Del Pilar’s win,” she said.
Back on the roster of winners too are former champions barangays Telabastagan in second spot and San Jose in close third.
Barangay Dolores, with just 4,000 bulbs and about seven rotors, proved to be the wildcard along with strong contenders Calulut, Del Carmen, San Nicolas, San Pedro, Sto. Niño, and San Juan.
Lights of hope, tradition
Mayor Oscar Rodriguez said the success of this year’s GLF will shine through the victims of Typhoon Pablo to give hope to devastated folk in Compostela Valley and New Bataan and other affected areas in Mindanao.
“We are very happy to share, in the spirit of Christmas, the lights of hope of this year’s GLF. The executive committee has decided to donate to our fellow Filipinos in Mindanao part of the funds generated for this festival on top of the city government’s donation of P200,000 for the victims of Typhoon Pablo. We thank our committed and dedicated private sector partners and volunteers who make each GLF successful,” said Rodriguez.
He added the GLF will be carried on even if he ends his term in 2013.
“The GLF has been institutionalized with a foundation. We are optimistic that even with changes in leadership, the tradition of the ‘Ligligan Parul’ will be carried on by future generations of lantern makers because that is what we are known for in the whole world,” said Rodriguez.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2012/12/17/del-pilar-shines-giant-lantern-fest-258723
The best getaway destination vacation spot near Manila convenient safe and accessible is Clearwater Beach Resort in Clark Pampanga.

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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.

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Creekside Road near Centennial Expo,
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(045) 889-5151 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177
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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.

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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

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http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

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

0915-542-6250 (Jeramie)