San Fernando is the birthplace of the Philippines' giant Christmas lantern and home to the annual Ligligan Parul (Giant Lantern Festival). Each lantern stands about 20 feet high and features 5,000 or so lights.
The Christmas capital of the Philippines —
San Fernando is the birthplace of the Philippines' giant Christmas lantern and home to the annual Ligligan Parul (Giant Lantern Festival). Each lantern stands about 20 feet high and features 5,000 or so lights.
San Fernando City Tourism Office
San Fernando isn't just famous for its giant lanterns. The city's smaller parul sampernandus lanterns vaulted to cottage-industry status in the 1960s when they moved away from classic designs in favor of more colorful creations inspired by everything from psychedelic kaleidoscopes to batik textiles.
Forget the Christmas tree —
San Fernando isn't just famous for its giant lanterns. The city's smaller parul sampernandus lanterns vaulted to cottage-industry status in the 1960s when they moved away from classic designs in favor of more colorful creations inspired by everything from psychedelic kaleidoscopes to batik textiles.
Al Gerard de la Cruz/CNN
A worker configures bulbs in the honeycomb-like frame of a 16-foot parol at the workshop of the doyen of San Fernando's parols - Ernesto 'Erning' David Quiwa.
Behind-the-scenes —
A worker configures bulbs in the honeycomb-like frame of a 16-foot parol at the workshop of the doyen of San Fernando's parols - Ernesto 'Erning' David Quiwa.
Al Gerard de la Cruz/CNN
Quiwa is a descendant of the first known parol-maker. His team came second this year in the annual Christmas parol festival.
The tradition continues —
Quiwa is a descendant of the first known parol-maker. His team came second this year in the annual Christmas parol festival.
Al Gerard de la Cruz/CNN
Two of the smallest parols in Quiwa's workshop. Still way too big for your average Christmas tree!
Lone stars —
Two of the smallest parols in Quiwa's workshop. Still way too big for your average Christmas tree!
Al Gerard de la Cruz/CNN
An employee in Quiwa's workshop puts the finishing touches on a small parol ordered by a school in Manila. In the background is an unfinished 'rotor,' a steel drum that serves as the light switch on a giant parol.
T'is the season —
An employee in Quiwa's workshop puts the finishing touches on a small parol ordered by a school in Manila. In the background is an unfinished 'rotor,' a steel drum that serves as the light switch on a giant parol.
Al Gerard de la Cruz/CNN
A finished giant Christmas parol lights up the night sky at the annual Christmas festival in San Fernando. Polyvinyl plastic in a hodgepodge of colors usually covers a giant parol.
Christmas supernova —
A finished giant Christmas parol lights up the night sky at the annual Christmas festival in San Fernando. Polyvinyl plastic in a hodgepodge of colors usually covers a giant parol.
San Fernando City Tourism Office
Angels, nativity signage, flower lanterns and other glowing Christmas decorations for sale at a San Fernando roadside shop.
Electric cheer —
Angels, nativity signage, flower lanterns and other glowing Christmas decorations for sale at a San Fernando roadside shop.
Al Gerard de la Cruz/CNN