The Pampanga Giant Lantern Festival last December 19, 2009
Along with the puto bumbong, bibingka, and the traditional Simbang Gabi, the Parol (Christmas Lantern) is one of the Filipino symbols of Christmas. I remember having seen parols in Cambodia which they also display during their new year but I think the Christmas Lanterns are more associated with Filipinos. The tradition of Parol making has evolved through the years from simple bamboo and paper to a more complicated use of materials and circuitry. And every year, we see the height of Christmas Lantern reach gigantic levels in the province of Pampanga as they celebrate the Annual Ligligan Parol or Giant Lantern Festival.
Barangay Sta Lucia Prepares their Giant Parol (TX1)
Imagine a lantern towering up to 40 feet high. A complex kaleidoscope of colors light up in synchronized patterns along with a music on more than 7000 light bulbs that make up a lantern. Multiply the numbers of Giant Lanterns with the number of barangays in Pampanga displayed in one area then we have one Giant Lantern festival in the works.
All nine Giant Lanterns Ready and lined up
This year is special as they officially celebrate 100 years of Ligligan parol. The festival actually started as a religious activity on what we call now as Lubenas where people bring Parols as large as 2 feet. Now the Parols being made for the festivals are more complex. It’s lighting system, design and even concept takes about a year to make. It even takes a truck to haul these lanterns and mechanisms to the venue.
Santo Nino Starts up the Show
This year’s venue is at the back of Robinsons Starmills in San Fernando Pampanga. There 9 giant lanterns from 9 barangays who will compete for the festival. It’s a public venue but there are cordoned areas for VIP viewers and ceremonies. There was an open space from the viewing area and the lanterns but as usual, the crowd poured in later.
San Pedro made history as the first Parol made of fiber glass
The event started at 7pm but the actual lighting of the lanterns started at 8 after the lengthy ceremonies. I wish they had cut this to half an hour. There were three rounds and the first round is when each lantern would be given 7 minutes each to showcase their lantern light show. On the second round, they played in threes. Also by this time, the crowd has poured into the open area. The last round is when all the lanterns lit up simultaneously. It was a short round but a spectacular ending still.
Grand Winner Dolores shows its unique and eye catching display
From where I was, the music wasn’t that loud to hear but the somewhat neuron-stimulating lightshow from each Giant Lanterns was really an eye feast. My favorites were actually the last few lanterns on the right. And the two of them actually won with San Jose taking third place and Telabastagan getting 2nd. The grand winner was Dolores, but San Pedro’s Giant Lantern also made history by using fiberglass on their lantern.
The last 5 lanterns simultaneous display
That was it for the festival but the Giant Lanterns are still on display until the end of the year. And let me take this opportunity to greet everyone a Merry Christmas and have bless-filled holiday! it has been a whirlwind of a year. But despite what happened, beyond the disasters, calamities, deaths or even that shiny gifts we got during christmas, we had a lot to be thankful for.
The final round where all lanters are lit
How to go to San Fernando Pampanga: Ride a bus headed for Baguio or Olongapo, passing by San Fernando. Victory Liner rate is P99 with a one hour travel time from Cubao.
Giant Lantern Festival Panorama (TX1)
All photos here were taken with the Sony Alpha A550 and Cybershot TX1. Get a chance to win your own Sony Cybershot TX1.
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Giant Lantern Festival Video
Fellowship, feasting, giving and receiving gifts are all the buzzwords in a Christmas setting. Make your Christmas a one to cherish for years! Enjoy the holidays Ferdz.
Never had a chance to witness these giant lanterns up close but I’m very proud they’re uniquely Pinoy. Just the other day, I passed by the Philippine Consulate at 5th Avenue in NYC at nung makita ko yung display nilang mga parol na may dancing lights, naalala ko tuloy ang pasko sa Pilipinas.
Merry Christmas Ferdz!
ei have a blessed Christmas amigo! Timely talaga itong post mo on the Giant Lantern Festival
Sana ganyan din kalalaki ang pagpapala natin this coming 2010 
wonderful shots Ferdz.. these giant lantern show how we celebrate Xmas back home
I thought these photos didn’t have the blueprint of your amazing Olympus E3 but they’re OK nonetheless 
Have a wonderful Xmas with your loved ones and all the best for 2010 !
Fantastic lanterns! Merry Christmas!!
What a beautiful display of truly Pinoy products.
Hubs and I were just discussing the other day that next year we need to have one of my friends buy us parol in PI and send it to us here. I don’t have any parol in my house.
Blessed Chrismtas and a New Year of peace and prosperity.
have a joyous and blessed Christmas bro!
i didnt know that by daytime the parols look ordinary but when it’s on, whoa! nice! Merry Christmas Ferdz!
Hi Ferdz! HAPPY BOXING DAY!
n…HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Happy holidays Oman!
Merry Christmas Nomadic Pinoy! It’s great to hear that the sight of parols in other countries still spark the filipino spirit in you.
Haha! Onga Og! Hope the blessings next year would be as big as these lanterns
Thanks BW! Am testing out different cameras for review so I may use other cams from time to time aside from my own E-3
Thanks Bert!
Hi Photo Cache! Parol prices drop significantly after Christmas! You should get one as well
Same to you Allan!
Yep Dom! They just look like giant coins on daylight but oce they’re lit up, they look tantalizing.
Hi Eunice! Happy boxing day as well
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Ferdz! Ang gaganda ng mga lanterns. surprising to know na it takes a year to make one of these.
Galing! i love your video. 
ang ganda ng mga parol. iba tlaga ang pasko sa Pilipinas. i hope you had a memorable Christmas celebration this year.
[...] and intricacies of creating these giant lanterns, I recommend reading my old posts about my Ligligan Parul 2009 visit. A strong start from Brngy [...]