Barangay Dolores in San Fernando City added another accomplishment to its belt after it emerged as winner in this year’s Grand Lantern Festival competition, the fourth since 2013.
Hall of famer lantern maker Teddy Aguilar led the 12-man team in bringing home again the coveted title and the Grand Lantern Festival revolving trophy.
Their entry this year is a 20-foot round lantern with 9,800 colorful light bulbs and played by nine rotors.
Aguilar said this year’s event is more challenging considering the pressure of maintaining the championship in Barangay Dolores after its grand slam stint last year.
“This year is a lot bigger task. The need to win is as immense as the expectations of the people, not mentioning the limited time frame given to me in making the giant lantern. But everything was worth it,” he said.
The GLF 2017 winning giant lantern piece featured a dove and an eagle lighted by blue, red and white bulbs, along with the “freedom, love and hope never end” motto to showcase the freedom deserved by the Philippines and its people, especially this holiday season, concluded Aguilar.
Barangay Dolores is headed by chairperson Vilma Caluag.