Giant Lantern Festival 2014

We went to Robinson Starmill in San Fernando to witness the giant lantern festival. This is actually my third time to watch these lanterns on display and I am still amazed on the dazzling colors , pulsating lights and patterns of these lanterns.

The Giant Lantern Festival or Ligligan Parul, which is held in San Fernando City in Pampanga, showcases the craftsmanship and creativity of the people of San Fernando. For 2014, 9 Barangays are competing in this festival - Brgy Telabastagan, San Nicolas, Calulut, Del Pilar,  Dolores, Sta. Lucia, San Juan Nepomuceno, Sto Nino, San Jose. The schedule of lantern display is 20th Dec 2014 - 4th January 2015.

I read that these lanterns stand approximately 20 feet and can have as many as 12,000 colorful bulbs. It takes around 50 men to assemble one lantern and months to a year to totally complete it.


I took photos of the lanterns at daylight to see how enormous they are. As you can see, it takes a 10-wheeler truck to support and transport each lantern.

 The festival includes a contest for the best lantern. Each participant is given 5 minutes to display its lighting effects to the music of their choice. After the individual display, there comes a show down of  two lanterns side by side and then by group of 3s. The finale will have a music chosen by the contest organizers.

The winners of 2014 are Brgy. Dolores - 1st place, Brgy, Calulut- 2nd place and Brgy Telabastagan - 3rd place.

Brgy Dolores - 1st place

Brgy Calulut - 2nd Place

Brgy Telabastagan- 3rd place

The showdown:
by two's

by three's

and all of them simultaneously

The 2015 Giant Lantern Festival will be held starting 19th Dec 2015. Let's wait for further announcement on the complete schedule of activities.