Towering handcrafted lanterns light up Philippines’ Christmas lantern festivalAFP, SAN FERNANDO, PhilippinesIn Christmas-mad Philippines, thousands cheered as handcrafted lanterns towering 6m high lighted up the night sky in San Fernando. The dazzling display of lights, accompanied by religious and festive imagery, and soundtracked by Filipino rap and Christmas carols, is part of the annual Giant Lantern Festival. People watch as a giant lantern lights up during the Giant Lantern Festival in San Fernando, Philippines, on Sunday. The giant lanterns, submitted for competition at the festival, use 12,000 50-watt bulbs synchronized by 15km of electric cables and symbolize the Star of Bethlehem. “Almost all the lanternmakers here are related to each other or are friends with the others,” said Florante Parilla, 55, who has been designing the giant lanterns for 30 years.

Source: Taipei Times December 19, 2025 17:59 UTC