Giant Lantern Festival in Pampanga to accept limited drive-in audience

The Giant Lantern Festival in San Fernando, Pampanga is accepting a limited number of drive-in audience this year to enforce social distancing and other health protocols.

According to Mariz Umali's report on "24 Oras," only 200 people will be allowed to watch the festival and they must register at the website in advance to secure their slot.

The festival is part of the Kapampangan Christmas tradition, said the City Tourism Office, and this year it is treated as a "beacon of hope" amid the pandemic.

"Ang mga parol ay sila ang simbolo again ng pag-asa, pagkakaisa, and kapayapaan and it's one way to thank everybody [and] of course pasasalamat sa ating Panginoon," said San Fernando Mayor Edwin Santiago.

The festival will skip the competition night this year and will instead hold a nightly lantern show and exhibition.

Only seven barangays are participating from the usual 10 to 12, with the others lacking funds due to their pandemic response needs.

Festival goers are not allowed to get off their cars or remove their face masks and face shields. Those 14 years old and below and those 66 years old and above are also not allowed to attend.

Exhibitions will start on December 17 and end on January 3, except on December 24 and December 31.

—MGP, GMA News