Pampanga has many titles – Culinary Capital of the Philippines, the Christmas capital and the Home of the Giant Lanterns.
And there’s no other season that these titles are bolstered other than Christmas. A few days before the giant lantern festival last December 14, we were given a chance to experience the Christmas season in Pampanga and celebrate the Sinukwan Festival.
After witnessing the colorful festival and experiencing San Fernando’s best food, we visited the RolRen’s lantern – the well-known lantern maker in San Fernando. We also witnessed how one Barangay prepares its entry for the Giant Lantern Festival. There, we got a glimpse of the meticulous craftsmanship that happens in every giant lantern in the city.
Giant Lantern of Pampanga
But the best part of the tour happened at night when we had time to relax at the Heroes Park and then witnessed the grand Christmas decorations.
Heroes Park has become a tourist attraction during Christmas. A lot of Kapampangans and other tourists from different provinces visit this place to take some photos, then eat with family and friends.
One that really caught my attention are these life-sized lantern murals. After further probing and research, I’ve found out that these are actually depicting one important Kapampangan tradition which is called Lubenas – the procession of colorful lanterns during the nine-day simbang gabi.
Meaning these colorful life-sized lanterns is actually a representation of people doing the lubenas or the Christmas procession. Lubenas came from the word novena or 9 days which is about the nine-day simbang gabi.
As some Kapampangans say, while everybody was just okay with the usual prayers at church during the simbang gabi, the people of Pampanga elevated it a little higher by holding these colorful Christmas processions. This is truly a Kapampangan tradition.
Lubenas
But the real star of the Christmas season at Heroes Park is the 21-foot giant lantern installed outside the Heroes Park just beside the main road for the motorists and passers-by to see.
I enjoyed photographing these huge bright lanterns. We also had the chance to take some group photos with the San Fernando City Tourism Office and fellow travel bloggers.
Giant Lantern Pampanga
Read the Blog Posts: 15 Best Pampanga Tourist Spots
It’s just nice to know that San Fernando and the entire province of Pampanga has this colorful tradition for their residents to really feel the spirit of Christmas. For those who are living outside of Pampanga, you can always visit the Heroes Hall and Park to witness this colorful spectacle.
The place also has some food stalls if ever you need to grab a bite. The San Fernando Tourism Office bought some puto bumbong and bibingka for the team. I loved it. It’s been a while since the last time I’ve tasted a legit puto bumbong during Christmas. Thank you San Fernando Tourism Office, and to the province of Pampanga for this awesome Christmas experience.
Heroes Hall and Park
Address: Lazatin Boulevard
2000 San Fernando, Pampanga
Phone: (075) 215 0796
Note: Thank you to City Tourism Office of San Fernando, Pampanga for this opportunity to explore the city. Huge appreciation also goes to the Pampanga Digital Influencers.
