SOCIAL MEDIA

Saturday, December 7, 2019

Giant Lantern Festival Bloggers Tour 2019

City of San Fernando - The place is known as the Christmas Capital of the Philippines; the Home of the Giant Lanterns.



This year is the 111th year of the lantern making industry. This colorful ocassion becomes a much re-awaited event and an attraction in the province of Pampanga. It is undoubtedly the city's most spectacular event. 

A feast for the senses that has become a major tourist attraction for all. The culmination of which is the Giant Lantern Festival on Dec 14, 2019 at 6 o'clock in the evening at Robinsons Starmills Pampanga

So before the GLF, we had a bloggers tour last Nov. 30, wherein we revisited different spots in Pampanga to discover its culture in the heart of San Fernando. 

We started our breakfast at Heritage Cafe. A cafe known for its gourmet organic coffee that sits right along the heritage district of CSFP. Must try are their silog dishes.



Next stop is the Train Station. Tbh, it was my first time to visit the place but I heard good reviews about it since then. It is rich in history and also a beautiful, rustic place to have your photoshoot. Of course, I wouldn't missed a shoot. Thanks to my good friend Rus who made it possible. (I'm awkward I know)





Moving forward, we visited the wet market at the heart of the city and tasted some homegrown cheese bread and spanish bread of LBS. We passed along the Pampanga Capitol, the heart of most government offices in the province and some heritage houses too.





Then we visited Rolden where the owner told us the story of the history of the lantern competition. 


Lunch was made possible by Bale Capampangan where they served a sumptuous feast of local dishes like Kapampangan Sisig, Buru and the like. We were so hungry I forgot to document some dishes.



We paid a visit at Pintahanan where Sir Erwin Dayrit was making his artworks. Gosh! This is my first time to see him in person and I admire all his intricate works. We actually watched him work on pen art where he drew and color artworks using a pen. How I wish I have a litte of his talent. He also accept lessons if you want to learn from him. Just message him on his Facebook account and shoot an inquiry.






After Pintahanan, we went to Christmas village and waited for the evening lanterns to light up. We had some bibingka and puto bumbong and then we say goodbye to our newfound friends.






The day was tiring yet I am fulfilled to be part of this tour. I admit I lived in San Ferando when I was still single and I only had a few glimpse of what the city has to offer. I didn't know there's more story and life beyond it.

Visit San Fernando this Christmas season or just visit whatever season it might be. I'm sure you will enjoy the what the city has to offer.

Message me if you'll pay a visit. See you around!
Much Love, Mommy ❤

36 comments :

  1. I always go to Lubao Pampangga for wakeboarding but I have never heard of these places before. These are some cool places to visit. Will try to visit San Fernando after this pandemic

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    1. Ask a Kapampangan and surely, they know this. These places are just around San Fernando. I hope you find yourself visiting these places one day.

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  2. I didn't have a change to visit Pampanga but when I can, hopefully after this pandemic, will visit San Fernando Giant Lantern Festival

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    1. Hopefully sana meron sa Christmas but if this pandemic continues baka walang event cause the festival has a lot of people kasi.

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  3. Another local travel that I must experience! I love that Heritage passport. It's so creative and engaging for visitors.

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    1. I wanted to create how to receive a cert after visiting all the places in the passport but pandemic came so waley. Hopefully may ganito pang program next year or the years to come.

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  4. San Fernando, Pampanga is really rich in tradition, it has a lot to offer. One which really caught me were the artsy crafts of the people there. We have a family friend which resides in Pampanga and we never had a chance yet to go there. We sure will soon, and it gave me an idea what to expect there.

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    1. Yaaay that's nice. Hope you can visit the province.

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  5. Ahh, Christmas, my favorite season! I've only celebrated here in Baguio and in Tarlac once but seeing your photos and reading your blog makes me curious about celebrating it elsewhere this year. I can't believe we're nearing the middle of the year! :)

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    1. You might consider having Christmas here. Remember, it's the Christmas capital of the country. 💓

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  6. I only knew when I read your blog today, that Pampanga also is a place for lanterns. I thought it was only a place for hot air balloon! I love how artistic it is, not just the usual square sized lanterns!

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    1. Parol Pampanga is very popular even on abroad. There's even a deeper history about it. I hope I can write about it too.

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  7. I've been to Pampanga before, but never like this! It makes me want to experience this side of Pampanga. Your pictures are so lovely!

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    1. Thank you. This is just on one place in Pampanga, particularly San Fernando. I hope you can visit.

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  8. Lovely photos! Seems like you had a lot of fun. Truly there are wonderful spots here in our country, and Pampanga is one of them!

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  9. Love the photos! Wish I could visit there one day. I remembered the movie, "Just A Stranger' because of some photos seen here. They are truly wonderful!

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    1. Thanks a lot for the wonderful words dear.

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  10. Super really wanna go here! Feeling ko my son will enjoy! Mahilig to sa mga lights and the likes. Also, yjng train station i got curious about it when i watched anne curtis' movie. Heheh

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    1. What movie nga kasi yun? Ganda magpictorial here sis. After pandemic go kayo.

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  11. ang festive talaga sa atin pag Christmas. i miss eating puto bumbong, buti na lang nakakain ako when i came home this last holiday.

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    1. Yes, team puto bumbong here. But Pampanga also has tasty bibingka.

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  12. I feel like i would enjoy it there as well. Wish i could visit sometime in the future!!

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  13. Aww your post is making me miss Philippines even more. We are planning to bring the kids to the Philippines and spend their summer vacation there for two-months. I will include this province in our travel itinerary.

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    1. Perf time here sis is Decemeber to experience the GLF, the bright lights and parol sightseeing. Promise you'll like it!

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  14. Nakakatuwa! May mga blogger groups pala talaga na gumagawa ng tours like this. This is great din para mas madaming readers ang makaalam more about our country.

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    1. Actually, this is a tour from the local gov't so we can continue promoting the province.

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  15. I've heard nice things about Pampanga but that Pintahanan place is yung parang interesado akong puntahan when I get to visit Pampanga. Will add this on my list para hindi ko makalimutan! :D I love art pero I feel like art doesn't like me. Tinry ko but hindi talaga sya nag work for me hahaha kaya hanggang bisita nalang ng mga art places and museums ako eh :)

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    1. Sir Edwin was televised na on KMJS before. And ang baet nya and super down to earth and talented.

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  16. Hopefully by December, everything is back to normal na so we can experience this too!

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    1. True. Kahit parang matagal pa maalis ang virus pero let's always hope lang that this will be over.

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  17. This is indeed a MUST experience! Proud Kapampangan here :)

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    1. Are you a Kapampangan ba talaga by blood Nicole?

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  18. Aww this post is making me nostalgic! I hope by December we can go out freely again so we can visit other places like this! ������ i’ve always wanted to do a food trip in pampanga! ��

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  19. I was planning to visit at least 1 Philippine festival this year but the lockdown made it impossible. Sana next year, it's for me na. Aside from the experience, you will take home stories of people and of course, the culture of the community.

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