The City of San Fernando in Pampanga is in full swing preparing for one of the Philippines' most dazzling holiday spectacles: the 117th Giant Lantern Festival (GLF) or "Ligligan Parul 2025." The grand competition is officially set to illuminate Robinsons Starmills on December 13, drawing crowds from across the globe to witness a century-old tradition of light and community spirit.
Safety and Preparedness Take Center Stage
During a media briefing at Heroes Hall, Mayor Vilma Caluag underscored that the safety of attendees is the non-negotiable top priority for the GLF 2025 executive committee. With a massive influx of visitors anticipated, the city government is leaving nothing to chance.
"We need to be prepared for the Giant Lantern Festival. Safety is our top priority as we welcome thousands of visitors from around the world," Mayor Caluag stated. She extended a warm invitation to all, saying, "We invite everyone to join us on December 13 and celebrate the brilliance of San Fernando as the Christmas Capital of the Philippines."
To translate this commitment into action, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) has already activated its Incident Command System (ICS)—a structured framework for managing planned events that San Fernando proudly employs. CDRRMO Head Raymond Del Rosario detailed the extensive measures in place.
"The public is assured of comprehensive safety measures during the festival. We have more or less 400 incident personnel, including security, medical, fire suppression, and volunteers from accredited community disaster groups," Del Rosario explained. He highlighted that utilizing the ICS for festivals is one of the city's recognized best practices in public safety management.
Barangays and Artisans Ready for "Ligligan"
This year's "Ligligan Parul" will be a breathtaking showdown of creativity, featuring giant, intricately designed lanterns from 10 barangays. Each lantern is the masterpiece of a designated master lantern maker, blending innovation with deep-rooted tradition.
The competing barangays and their lead artisans are:
- Bulaon (Mark Niño Flores)
- Calulut (Syakina Leigh Bondoc)
- Del Pilar (Florante Parilla)
- Del Rosario (Ryan Joshua David)
- Dolores (Teddy Aguilar)
- San Jose (Mary Ann Torres)
- San Juan (Arnel Flores)
- San Nicolas (Edmar David)
- Santa Lucia (Karl Ernest Quiwa)
- Santo Niño (Byron Bondoc)
According to GLF 2025 Chairperson Noel Gomez, the participating communities have pledged to pour their hearts into their entries. The festival is more than a competition; it is a vibrant expression of Kapampangan artistry, culture, and heritage, with roots tracing back to the religious "lubenas" or lantern tradition.
"Every year, our barangays put their hearts into these lanterns. It’s not just about winning but about showing the creativity and unity of Fernandinos," Gomez remarked.
Festival Legacy and Extended Exhibits
The brilliance of the Giant Lantern Festival does not fade after the December 13 competition. City Tourism and Investment Promotions Officer Ma. Lourdes Carmella Jade Pangilinan announced that the magnificent lanterns will remain on public display, allowing more people to appreciate their beauty.
The primary exhibition will continue at Robinsons Starmills until January 1, 2026. Additionally, the public can catch special showings of the lanterns at other major locations, including Capital Town Pampanga, City Town Center in Calulut, and MarQuee Mall.
This extended showcase reinforces San Fernando's well-earned title as the "Christmas Capital of the Philippines," turning the entire season into a prolonged celebration of light, craftsmanship, and communal pride that continues to attract tourists and inspire generations.
