PAMPANGA
PAMPANGA, NOVEMBER 18, 2011
(STARweek) By Raul Esquillo Asis - [COVER Photo by Edd Gumban and Kiko Cabuena] Visiting the
city of San Fernando, Pampanga on a beautiful sunny day brings back memories of
vacation trips to check out Lenten season activities, the week-long celebration
of the feast day of St. Ferdinand, the heritage houses around the poblacion,
enjoying popular Kapampangan dishes, or going on a shopping spree.
But San Fernando is also famous for the Parul Sampenandu or San Fernando
Christmas lantern, a celebrated product both here and abroad. Ornately designed
and meticulously constructed, the lanterns come in various colors and sizes with
materials such as capiz, handmade paper, vinyl plastic and fiberglass. Inasmuch
as they are a wonder and a delight to behold, it was an even greater wonder to
finally discover how they are made.
The craftsmanship and technical expertise that go into the fabrication and
circuitry of these lanterns show the extreme skills of the Fernandinos. We were
fortunate to meet 64-year-old Ernesto David Quiwa, whose family is engaged in
the lantern-making business.
An outstanding Fernandino awardee in 2009 in the field of arts and culture,
Mang Erning started the venture in 1966, and has been at it ever since, although
now his children continue the legacy. His clients are varied, and his lanterns
have lit up humble homes as well as public plazas. He recalls having brought
four giant lanterns to add glitter to the glamor of the Manila International
Film Festival years back.
[The facade of the Cultural Center of the Philippines is
adorned with shining San Fernando Christmas lanterns. Photos by Kiko
Cabuena]
His lanterns have won accolades and prizes, and have been displayed in
international events in Austria (Vienna), Spain (Seville), China, and the United
States, among other countries.
Mang Erning very kindly agreed to take us through the complicated process of
making a Parul Sampenandu – which turned out to be even more difficult than we
imagined.
"The first stage," according to Mang Erning, "begins with the lantern maker's
design, where one visualizes how the play of lights goes and the timetable of
production, what materials to use, and the number of people to work on the
lantern."
He continues, "Once the designer finishes the master plan, scaling and
tracing follows using chalk or pencil to mark the design on the floor." The
framers then translate the design patterns on the ground into steel frames piece
by piece.
After the frames are done, the pieces are carefully and precisely welded
together. This is done twice, to make the two sides of one lantern. The two
frames are then welded together, taking into account the needed space in between
to fit the bulbs and electrical wiring.
A framer secures the intricate wiring of the parol. A process
called "kulong" takes place, which means putting pieces of cardboard in between
the steel frames, serving as the "walls" of each lantern compartment. These
allow the lights to be in one specific place when the lantern is lit up, in
order to achieve the pattern and design of the lantern. Completing all the
divisions in one lantern takes two weeks.
Lanterns then undergo a process called "palara," which further powers the
light made by the bulbs. Strips of paper likewise called palara – the kind of
paper used in packaging cigarettes – line the walls of each division inside the
lantern. The paper enables light to "bounce" inside each lantern compartment,
thus increasing the luminance of each bulb.
Preparing the bulbs comes next, and this is considered one of the most
difficult tasks for lantern makers, especially since a giant lantern can contain
a minimum of 3,000 bulbs.
It was a surprise to learn that bulbs are re-used or recycled from previous
lanterns, especially the big ones used for the lantern festival. This not only
saves on cost, but is more environment-friendly. Each and every bulb is first
cleaned, taking out the old color, and testing if it still works. Electrical
wiring of the bulbs is carefully carried out, then each bulb is colored
according to what is needed for a particular lantern. The preparation of the
bulbs alone can take up to seven weeks to accomplish.
Soon the bulbs are installed. Each lantern maker has to place each bulb in
each compartment, carefully and strictly following the design pattern. Mistakes
are very costly and thus rarely happen, as a single error can end up in
disaster.
An average of four bulbs are placed in each lantern compartment, following
the design plan and lighting sequence as specified by the designer.
[STARLIGHT, STAR BRIGHT: Lantern makers work amidst piles of
different parol designs. Finally, connecting the electricity is a task
which is not only painstaking and tedious, but also the most risky, for it
requires lining up the electrical lines that would be delivered from the rotors
and generators. Each light bulb is connected to a specific line for one specific
color and movement. This process takes nearly two weeks.
Then the papering and covering of the lanterns is done. The lantern makers
cover the face of the lantern with transparent sheets of paper as well as paper
cutouts for added design and effect when the lantern is lit. Once this is
completed, clear plastic sheets are overlaid to protect the lanterns from rain,
strong winds and harsh environment.
A rotor is then connected, which serves as the mind of the giant lantern.
This innovation, which undergoes a series of steps, dictates the play of lights
and how it would move across the lantern.
The whole process of making a Parul Sampenandu takes months and involves the
hands of many skilled workers. It is an art form that is passed on from
generations of lantern-makers, each adding perhaps his own touch, a new
innovation, to make a bright and starry Christmas tradition even more
spectacular.
The famous Pampanga lanterns have been exhibited at various international
events which include the Kunitchiwa Asian Fair, in Yokohama, Japan (1989);
Seville World Exposition (1992); in the Philippine float at the Hollywood
Christmas Parade (1993); Taiwan International Lantern Festival in Taipei, Taiwan
(2003); Philippine Consulate in Hawaii for the Centennial of Filipino Migration
in Hawaii (2006); the Viennese Palmenhaus to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of
Philippine-Austrian Diplomatic Relations in 2006, and at The Philippine
Christmas tree at the Vienna City Hall Grounds in Austria (2007).
[The City of San Fernando Choir performs at the CCP ceremonial
launch.] This Yuletide season, the public will be treated to a display
of 50 Christmas lanterns from San Fernando, commencing with a ceremonial
lighting recently at the CCP ramp to signal the start of the holiday season.
With over-all design by Eric Cruz, the all-white lanterns, each measuring 8 feet
in diameter, adorn the façade of the Cultural Center of the Philippines main
building along Roxas Boulevard.
Billed as "Sulu: The Lanterns of San Fernando, Pampanga" (Sulu is pronounced
with an accent on the second "u", a Pampango term for light, which is also
referred to as "liglig") the project is a partnership between CCP and the City
of San Fernando, Pampanga.
The City of San Fernando provided craftsmanship and technical expertise in
the fabrication and circuitry of the lanterns, as well as supervised manpower in
fabricating the 8-ft lanterns, and provided people to oversee the handling,
transport, installation, individual testing, and strike down of lanterns.
In light of their accomplishments in the craft, the CCP has acknowledged the
City of San Fernando, Pampanga as the lantern-making capital of the country, and
has teamed up with the city in featuring the local artisan/craftsmanship of the
Pampanga lantern makers.
The ceremonial launch of "Sulu" was graced by the San Fernando Mayor Oscar
Rodriguez, CCP president Dr. Raul Sunico and some media representatives, and was
highlighted by performances from Pampanga's Magsilbi Tamu Band 919 and the City
of San Fernando Choir.
A worker covers her lantern with colored plastic sheets.
"The Christmas lanterns of Pampanga clearly outline the expert craftsmanship
and creativity of the San Fernando makers, and demonstrates the multi-talents of
Pampangueños in the realm of arts and culture," said Sunico during the launch.
"The lanterns are eye-catching, elegant in their geometric lines, and inspiring
in their Christmas message of peace, love and goodwill."
"Sulu: The Lanterns of San Fernando, Pampanga" will be on display for three
Christmas seasons, starting in November 2011 and ending in January 2014.
giant Lanterns from San Fernando, Pampanga, PHL
(IMAGES FROM GOOGLE)
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2011 by PHILIPPINE
HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
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PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
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