These massive lanterns, known as the pride of San Fernando in Pampanga, have a diameter of 18 feet and are adorned with almost 7,000 bulbs that flicker in sync with a medley of Filipino Christmas songs. They come in various designs such as geometric shapes, flowers, fans, cones, and hearts that shine in various colors of the rainbow. The festival attracts about 20,000 spectators annually, and each of the 8-10 participating villages in the city of San Fernando creates its unique design, color scheme, and sound effects. The event culminates with the unveiling of the innermost circle, revealing the lantern makers' grand showcase, often an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, accompanied by a thunderous applause from the crowd. It's no wonder why San Fernando is dubbed the "lantern capital" of the Philippines.
In terms of transportation, the area can be accessed through different means. Clark International Airport is a bustling airport that provides direct flights to major cities in Asia and the Middle East. For sea travel, the Subic port serves as a point of entry for Royal Caribbean and will cater to around 3,000 cruise visitors twice annually starting June 2018. Lastly, the region is easily reachable by land, with expressways such as NLEX, TPLEX, and SCTEX linking it to other parts of Luzon.
