By Hilda Austria – PNA
ALAMINOS CITY, Pangasinan — Some 39 lanterns showcasing the famous products, places and festivals of the towns and cities of Pangasinan, are the new attractions in this city.
In an interview Thursday, city information officer Venus Balgua said the lanterns were made by the 39 barangays of the city as part of the annual lantern-making contest here.
“The lanterns are six to seven feet in length and are made of durable materials. This year, the theme for each lantern should be related to the one-town-one-product or tourist spots, or the festivals of the cities and towns of the province,” Balgua said.
Among the chosen theme for the lanterns are the provincial capitol building, which will turn 100 years old this December, the Puto Festival of Calasiao town, Tinapa (smoked-fish) of Rosales, the Bangus Festival of Dagupan City, the Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Manaoag and the Sunflower of Tayug, among others.
The lanterns, which are hanged beside the city hall, started to become additional attractions in the city on Dec. 3, when the giant Christmas tree and departmental Christmas trees here were also lighted.
Residents are impressed with the lanterns and are betting on which one will win the grand prize. “Ang ganda ganda naman (It is so beautiful),” Leonor Ortaleza Sadumiano said.
Juanita Hawk commended the efforts of the city government and the barangays.
Balgua said the lanterns were judged based on creativity, design, craftsmanship, visual impact, and overall impact.
The winning barangays will receive PHP20,000 (first prize), PHP15,000 (second prize), PHP10,000 (third prize), and each barangay will receive PHP5,000 as consolation prize on the awarding night on Dec. 17, she added.
