San Fernando, Pampanga: The Christmas Capital of the Philippines

The Philippines is one of the two predominantly Catholic countries in Asia (the other one is East Timor) known to celebrate the longest and merriest Yuletide season in the world. One can hear Christmas carols as early as September that last until the Feast of the Black Nazarene which falls on the 9th of January.
Many provinces claimed to be the Christmas Capital of the Philippines, but the most famous claimant is the city of San Fernando in the province of Pampanga. The people of the city take the birth of Jesus seriously, making it an integral part of their lives.

Perhaps the very thing that comes to mind when we say "San Fernando" are the beautifully crafted parols made either from plastic or Capiz shells. Because of their quality and great designs some are exported abroad. They also have an annual Giant Lantern Festival, a competition of all the barangays in the city with their gigantic lanterns measuring at least 18 feet in height. Each of them try to create a lantern with lights that dances or sings to the tune of popular Christmas carols.

Here's another trivia, San Fernando produce these parols all year round but of course prices are low during off peak season. They starts to go high during October up until Christmas comes. So, with just three days left before Christmas, why don't you pay San Fernando a visit and take home the lantern you've been dreaming to have?
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1 comments:

  1. Nice post! I agree that San Fernando Pampanga is the Christmas Capital of the Philippines. Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete