Parul Sampernandu, ‘Puno ng Diwa’ light up CCP for Christmas

The lights of the Parul Sampernandu went up at the Cultural Center of the Philippines on Thursday for the Christmas season.

A tradition the CCP organizes in cooperation with the city of San Fernando, Pampanga, the Parul Sampernandu is an exhibit of the city's famous Christmas lanterns, put on the cultural center's facade for the holidays.

This year, the parols are accompanied by a tall, brightly colored lady: the Puno ng Diwa.

Designed by artist and Philippine High School For The Arts teacher Leo Gerardo C. Leonardo, the Puno ng Diwa was the winner of a recent competition held by CCP and lighting system company Omni for an installation to light up the CCP's Liwasang ASEAN Park.

A towering installation inspired by "the Higantes of Angono and mythical characters of Manobo and Bagobo origin," as the CCP's announcement puts it, the Puno ng Diwa was built by Leonardo with help from groups including the PHSA community, Museo Pambata Volunteers, and the University of the Philippines at Los Baños Painters Club.

The two projects, showcasing Filipino creativity though art and lighting, will be on display at the CCP throughout the holiday season.

— BM, GMA News