Del Pilar lantern champ in ‘LigliganParul’

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO–Barangay Del Pilar won the first place in this year’s world famous Giant Lantern Festival competition as the event attracted thousands of local and foreign tourists.
This year’s event, held at the Robinsons Starmills here over the weekend (December 15), was participated by 11 barangays namely Dolores, Sto. Nino, Sta. Lucia, San Jose, San Juan, Telebastagan, San Pedro, Calulut, Del Carmen, San Nicolas and eventual winner Del Pilar.
For its win, Del Pilar received P150,000 while 2nd placer Telabastagan, took home P60,000 and 3rd placer San Jose got P40,000. All the top 3 also received trophies and 2 scholarship packages each for their chosen constituents.
City Mayor Oscar Rodriguez said San Fernando is taking pride as the Christmas Capital of the Philippines as it is known for its unique century-old lantern making industry.
Our Lantern are made with utmost skill and creativity, displaying the unparalleled craftsmanship of Fernandinos, Rodriguez said.
The city is also home to the Giant Lantern Festival held every December where the world’s biggest lanterns compete to the delight of spectators and this event, a dynamic interplay of lights and colors with the rhythm of music and the grandest and most intricate designs, serves as magnet for thousands of tourists who flock to the city to experience a spectacular show, Rodriguez also said.
The mayor also said that Fernandinos have given birth to a tradition that continues to uniquely define our celebration of Christmas adding that from the modest attempt the essence of the star of Christ through sticks, papers and flickering flame, we have turned it into a gesture of grandeur–the Giant Lantern Festival.
Jecyl Estrada, 18, a native of Pangasinan but now a resident of the City of San Fernando, said, “now I understand why San Fernando is called the Lantern Capital of the Philippines.”
Estrada, a first time spectator, also said that “nakakadagdagngpagasasapasko in spite of the hardship we are having now.”
Another spectator Rose Martinez, also a resident of San Fernando, said that the event was “spectacular” adding that “nakakadagdagngsayasapasko.”
Lantern making was traced when Augustinians friars introduced the practice of procession of patron saints.
In 1908, San Fernando started making lanterns with Francisco Estanislao as the pioneer as based from the account of David-Quiwa Family who have continued the tradition of making Giant Lantern up to the present.
But it was only in 1931 when the first lantern competition was held with Barangay Del Pilar joined with brass band music from the Banda 31 of Sasmuan town. The competition was organized in honor of Doña Aurora Aragon Quezon.
ChingPangilinan-Gonzales, chief of the Tourism Office of San Fernando, said the giant lanterns were displayed in several countries like Japan, Taiwan, Vienna in Austria, USA, Hawaii, New York, Ireland, Russia, Thailand and many others.● Froilan E. Magtoto
http://www.headlinegl.com/del-pilar-lantern-champ-in-ligligan-parul/
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)