(FERNANDINO PRIDE. Mayor Edwin Santiago, VM Jimmy Lazatin, GLF Foundation chair Alfrito Mah and GLF 2018 chair Alex Patio are joined by members of the festival’s execom in making the Fernandino First gesture. Photo by Bong Lacson)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – It’s all systems go for the city’s signature Giant Lantern Festival (GLF) to be held December 15 at the Robinsons Starmills here.
This, even as other activities such as the traditional “Lubenas” in the barangays and lantern parades and competitions have started, organizers disclosed at a press conference at the city hall here Monday.
In expectation of a “much larger audience” of foreign and local tourists, GLF 2018 Executive Committee chairman Alex Patio said 10,000 chairs will be at the venue’s seating area even as it can accommodate an SRO crowd of 90,000.
“It will be on a first come, first served basis,” Patio said, with tickets per individual.
Some 300 parking slots are made available to VIPs and other guests, while the whole mall parking area will be open to private vehicles, added Patio. Special arrangements have also been made with transport groups to for the riding public.
“For senior citizens and PWDs, we have electric trikes on the ready,” he furthered.
For his part, GLF committee on security chairman Marni Castro reminded the public that backpacks and umbrellas are prohibited at the venue, along with drones usually used in photography.
“We cannot gamble with the people’s safety, as any breach in secutiry will impact most adversely on the festival and it would take decades for us to recover from it,” Castro said.
Mayor Edwin Santiago hailed the committee for its “dedication and commitment” in the preservation and promotion of the city’s foremost cultural showcase.
“More than anything else, the Giant Lantern Festival is anchored in our goal of preserving the history and heritage of San Fernando which gave identity to us and became known in the whole country and even overseas as the home of the giant lanterns,” he said.
